Sicher-Check Auto › Used car inspection before purchase in Germany

Used car inspection in Germany before you buy

We inspect vehicles before purchase: OBD diagnostics, paint thickness check, photos, videos, test drive and an honest assessment. We work on the buyer’s side, not the seller’s. If needed, we can also help with price negotiation, export paperwork and delivery.

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Inspection before purchase Not a repair service, but a practical condition check before you commit to the deal.
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OBD, paint check, test drive We check the body, faults, interior, available mileage data and how the car actually behaves on the road.
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Photos, videos, report Important issues are documented, and in the end you get a clear recommendation.
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Negotiation, export, delivery After a successful inspection, we can help with the next steps around the vehicle.

📍 Base: Stahnsdorf / Brandenburg. We work in Berlin, Brandenburg, across Germany and, by arrangement, in other EU countries.

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🇩🇪 Deutsch en English 🇷🇺 Русский ⚡ Short-notice appointments possible

In short: what does a pre-purchase car inspection provide?

An independent inspection helps you understand the condition of a specific used vehicle before signing the purchase contract. We inspect accessible bodywork, interior and engine-bay areas, measure paint thickness, scan available control units and assess visible warning signs. A test drive is possible only with the seller’s permission. You receive photos, videos, documented findings and practical guidance on whether to buy, negotiate or walk away.

Base locationStahnsdorf near Berlin; nationwide travel
Inspection scopeBodywork, paint, OBD and visible mechanical condition
DeliverablesPhotos, videos, report and practical assessment
PriceInspection from €200 plus agreed travel costs

What we check before you buy a car

This is not just about plugging in a scanner. The goal is to give you a practical understanding of the vehicle’s real condition before any money changes hands.

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Technical inspection

  • OBD diagnostics and fault code reading
  • Check of available data and error history
  • Assessment of engine, gearbox and overall running condition
  • Visual inspection of engine bay and interior
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Bodywork & paint

  • Paint thickness measurement
  • Detection of repainting and filler work
  • Inspection of panel gaps, glass, lights and corrosion
  • Photo documentation of visible issues
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Practical buying advice

  • Test drive where possible
  • Honest recommendation: buy it or walk away
  • Arguments for price negotiation
  • Help with export and delivery

📋 Example inspection report

Would you like to see how a real pre-purchase vehicle inspection is documented in practice? Here you can view a genuine example report with photos, paint thickness measurements, videos, OBD diagnostics, and a clear final recommendation.

View example report

Used-car risks we look for before purchase

The purpose is to document signs of expensive repairs, hidden bodywork and inconsistencies before you sign. A visual and electronic inspection is not a dismantling procedure and cannot guarantee that no future fault will occur.

Inspection areaPossible warning signsWhy it matters
Bodywork and paintFiller, repainting, uneven panel gaps, corrosion and repair tracesMay indicate previous damage, poor repairs or future expense
Engine and transmissionLeaks, unusual noises, smoke, hesitation or harsh shiftingMay justify further diagnosis, negotiation or rejecting the vehicle
Electronics and OBDActive or stored faults in accessible control unitsA clear fault memory is useful, but it is not proof that the car is fault-free
Mileage and maintenanceDifferences between wear, documents and available vehicle dataThe seller’s claims should be compared with supporting records
Test driveVibration, noise, braking behaviour and power deliveryProvides additional information if the seller permits the drive

⚠️ Important: we are not a repair workshop

  • Yes: inspection before purchase, condition assessment, visit to the seller, report, negotiation, export and delivery.
  • No: repairs after a breakdown, regular workshop work, routine maintenance or fixing existing faults.

Travel cost calculator

Approximate calculation from Stahnsdorf / Brandenburg. Please enter the distance one way. For Berlin and Potsdam choose the local rate (0 km). External costs such as plates, insurance, official fees or parking are not included.

How the inspection works

  • ✅ You send us the vehicle link and the seller’s location.
  • ✅ We contact the seller and arrange the inspection.
  • ✅ You confirm the trip and the cost.
  • ✅ On site, we check the body, paint, interior, OBD data and the car’s overall condition.
  • ✅ If possible, we do a test drive and share a realistic impression.
  • ✅ You receive a clear conclusion: buy, negotiate or walk away.
  • ✅ After a successful purchase, we can also help with negotiation, export and delivery.

Prices at a glance

  • Inspection + report: from 200 € + 1.5 €/km
  • Negotiation with the seller: 30% of the actual discount achieved
  • Export plate assistance: from 80 €
  • Export documents: from 150 €
  • Delivery: by arrangement

How we work — 5 simple steps

Simple and transparent: you send the listing, we inspect the vehicle and help you avoid an expensive mistake.

1
Request You send the listing link, the location and your preferred timing.
2
Scheduling We speak with the seller and arrange the on-site inspection.
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Inspection We check the body, paint, electronics, interior and the vehicle’s overall technical condition.
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Report & recommendation You receive photos, videos and a clear recommendation on whether the car is worth buying.
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Next steps If needed, we can help with negotiation, export arrangements and delivery.

Where can you book a vehicle inspection?

Sicher-Check is based in Stahnsdorf, Brandenburg. Our main service area covers Berlin and Potsdam, and we travel throughout Germany by prior agreement. Longer trips are calculated from Stahnsdorf. Cross-border assignments within the EU may also be possible on request.

  • Berlin
  • Potsdam
  • Brandenburg
  • Leipzig
  • Dresden
  • Hanover
  • Hamburg
  • Cologne
  • Frankfurt am Main
  • Munich

The cities listed are examples. Availability depends on the seller, distance, timing and agreed inspection scope.

Customer reviews

Real feedback with real results builds more trust than any slogan. This matters even more when you are buying a car in another country.

Customer with Volkswagen Passat
Oleg
VW Passat

Thank you for the advice and especially for the negotiation support. After the inspection it was clear where the price could be pushed down, and in the end we saved 450 €.

Customer with Skoda Octavia
Maria
Skoda Octavia

The car was checked carefully, all issues were documented and explained. Things that were not visible in the listing photos were spotted on site during the inspection.

Customer with BMW 5 Series
Andriy
BMW 5 Series

They helped not only with the inspection but also with the next steps. Documents and export plates were arranged quickly and without unnecessary stress.

FAQ — common questions

What is included in a pre-purchase car inspection?

Depending on the agreed scope and accessibility, we inspect the body, paintwork, interior, engine bay and available OBD data. A test drive takes place only when the seller permits it and the circumstances allow.

How much does a used car inspection cost in Germany?

An inspection with a report starts at €200. Berlin and Potsdam use a local rate without an additional travel charge. For other locations, travel is usually calculated from Stahnsdorf at €1.50 per kilometre one way. Optional services are agreed separately.

Do you only work in Berlin?

No. Our base is in Brandenburg, but we can travel across Berlin, throughout Germany and, by arrangement, to other EU countries.

Is a listing link enough to start?

Yes. In most cases, a link from mobile.de, AutoScout24 or Kleinanzeigen is enough for us to assess whether an inspection can be arranged.

Can the inspection be completed without me being present?

Yes. If the seller and appointment allow it, we can inspect the vehicle and send you the findings, photos, videos and assessment remotely.

Will you honestly tell me whether the car is worth buying?

Yes. That is exactly the point of the service: not just to collect technical data, but to give you a clear and honest recommendation — buy it, negotiate hard or walk away.

Can you help with temporary or export plates?

Yes. If needed, we can help with Kurzzeitkennzeichen and Ausfuhrkennzeichen. Official fees, insurance and third-party costs are charged separately.

Do you provide a warranty for the vehicle?

No. We are not the seller. Our assessment is based on the areas and data accessible at the time of inspection. Hidden defects and faults that develop later cannot be ruled out.

What if the seller refuses a test drive or diagnostic scan?

We record the restriction and inspect only what is accessible and permitted. A refusal does not prove that the car is defective, but it reduces the amount of information available for the buying decision.

Send us the car listing — we will tell you whether the inspection is worth it

The fastest way to get started is WhatsApp. If a good car is already on the market, it is better not to wait too long. We help you decide quickly whether the car is worth your time and money.

Best things to send right away

  • the listing link
  • the location of the car
  • when you need the inspection
  • what you want checked most carefully
  • whether you need negotiation, export or delivery
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