How much does a professional car inspection cost in Germany – and what’s included?

What influences the price of a professional inspection

The cost of a professional inspection is shaped by several parameters:

• ✔️ Scope of the inspection. Some providers offer a basic package (visual and technical condition only), while others include a full package with diagnostics, history check, paint thickness measurements and more. Naturally, the more modules you add, the higher the price.
• ✔️ Vehicle type and value. Many companies use price brackets. For example, one provider might charge 150 € for cars up to 50,000 € and 250 € for vehicles above 50,000 €. Premium models and sports cars are more complex and attract wealthier buyers – and that is reflected in the price. With Sicher-Check Auto in Berlin we try to treat every client with the same attention, regardless of budget.
• ✔️ Mobile versus workshop inspection. If you bring the car to a test centre (TÜV, DEKRA etc.), a standard Gebrauchtwagencheck often costs around 100–150 €. In practice, however, the expert usually travels to where the car is. A mobile inspection often includes a separate travel fee per kilometre – for example 1.40–1.80 € per km one way. So a car 100 km away may add roughly 140–180 € to the bill. Some companies also charge for travel time.
• ✔️ Region and competition. In large cities such as Berlin, Munich or Hamburg, prices tend to be slightly higher because of wages and living costs. At the same time, competition between experts is strong, which helps keep rates reasonable. In smaller towns there may be fewer providers – and long-distance travel can become the main cost driver.
• ✔️ Extra services. Check what is included in the package. Some inspectors include negotiation support, document check and help with the contract in the base price. Others bill this separately. A common model: the expert negotiates a discount with the seller and keeps a share of the savings as a success fee. For example, if the price is reduced by 1,000 €, the expert might keep 30–50% of that. In other cases, negotiation and contract support are offered as fixed-price add-ons. (At Sicher-Check our standard success fee for negotiation is 30% of the price reduction.)

Typical price range in Germany

In practice, a professional inspection of a used car in Germany usually costs around 150–300 € per vehicle (without a long-distance trip). These are average figures – some providers will charge less or more depending on the points above. Comprehensive “search + inspection + transport + paperwork” packages can easily reach 800–1,200 €, but a one-off pre-purchase inspection is much more affordable.

Details of our own packages and prices can be found in the article about our tariffs; you can submit an online request via the contact form.

What’s included in a professional inspection

The main value you get from a pre-purchase inspection is a clear, structured report on the car’s condition – and a professional opinion on whether this specific car is worth buying. A standard checklist typically includes:

• 💲 Body and paint diagnostics. The expert checks the car’s bodywork and measures paint thickness to detect repainted or filled areas, looks for hidden damage, checks body geometry and panel gaps, assesses rust and the quality of previous repairs. The goal is to understand whether the car has been in accidents and how well the bodywork was repaired.
• 💲 Mechanical inspection of key components. Engine, gearbox, brakes, suspension, steering, exhaust – all major systems are checked. The inspector looks for oil and coolant leaks, checks belts and hoses, fluid levels, play in suspension and steering, brake effectiveness and so on.
• 💲 Computer diagnostics (OBD). A professional scanner is used to read fault codes from all relevant control units: engine, ABS, airbags, transmission and others. This helps to detect hidden issues that are not visible to the naked eye or on the dashboard. The inspector can also look at live data, adaptation values and other parameters.
• 💲 Mileage and history verification. One of the most important topics is verifying the odometer reading. The expert compares the mileage with service records and the values stored in electronic control units, looking for inconsistencies that may indicate odometer rollback. Many experts also check online history (e.g. carVertical) to see previous owners, recorded accidents and service entries – as far as data protection rules allow.
• 💲 Test drive. A proper road test is almost always part of a professional inspection. During the test drive the expert checks engine performance under load, shifting quality (or the behaviour of the automatic gearbox), brake performance, suspension noise and stability. Steering behaviour, ABS/ESP function and safety systems are tested as well. Many defects only show themselves on the road.
• 💲 Interior and electronics. The inspector evaluates interior wear (which indirectly shows real mileage and usage pattern) and tests all major electrical functions: climate control, windows, mirrors, central locking, lights, wipers, parking sensors, multimedia and so on. Warning lights such as “Check Engine”, ABS or airbag are checked carefully. Any issues are documented.
• 💲 Basic legal checks. As a rule the expert also looks at the original documents: VIN on the car versus papers, validity of TÜV (HU/AU), presence of necessary stamps and entries. Some providers offer additional checks (e.g. stolen/finance status) based on public databases. Full legal due diligence is usually beyond the scope of a technical inspection, but you at least get guidance on obvious red flags.

At the end you receive a detailed written report. It lists all defects and discrepancies, often with photos of problem areas and paint readings. The conclusion typically contains a clear recommendation: buy / buy with reservations / better walk away – plus an estimate of expected repairs where possible.

(If you cannot be present at the inspection, the expert can send you the full report digitally – usually with photos and, if needed, short videos from the inspection site.)

Inspection cost vs. potential savings

At first glance, paying 150–300 € for a one-off service may feel like a lot. But compare this with the risks. If the inspection uncovers serious hidden issues, you can either walk away from a problematic car – or negotiate a discount that is many times higher than the inspection fee. In practice, a thorough pre-purchase inspection often saves buyers 1,500–2,000 € or more by revealing defects or an unrealistic asking price.

Just as important: you protect yourself from unexpected repair bills. Spending ~200 € on an inspection can easily prevent you from buying a car with 1,000+ € in hidden faults. Add safety to that: working brakes, steering and airbags are not the place to cut corners.

Experts agree that a small up-front cost for an inspection is fully justified for the peace of mind it brings. Modern cars are complex, and even experienced drivers can miss critical issues. It is much better to let a specialist do the deep dive and receive a formal report in return.

Fast, fair, official: car inspections by Sicher-Check

If you want to book a professional pre-purchase inspection in Germany, Sicher-Check offers transparent, fair conditions. Our experts can travel to the car (throughout Germany), run a thorough technical and electronic check and provide an official report with our company seal. We check everything from bodywork to electronics and help you assess legal and practical risks.

We work fast (often the same day), keep our pricing clear, and provide written documentation. You can review our tariffs on the page /en/auto/tariffs.html and see that good service doesn’t have to be overpriced.

You can book an inspection or ask questions via the online form on the request page. One of our specialists will get back to you, clarify the details and start organising the inspection. Sicher-Check: fast, fair, official – giving you confidence in every used-car deal in Germany.

• ⚡ Often available on the same day.
• 💬 We speak Russian / German / Polish / Ukrainian – no language barrier.
• 💶 Transparent tariffs, online request via contact form.

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