Car inspection & buying service in Berlin — full pre-purchase check and transparent prices

Introduction

Buying a used car in Germany is a serious step, especially if you’re looking at a big city like Berlin. The car buying service in Berlin by Sicher-Check is designed to help you find and purchase the right car safely and at a fair price. We stay on your side at every stage: from the pre-purchase inspection (visual and technical) to the legal check of the car in Germany, and all the way to paperwork and German plates — you get a complete service when you work with our experts.

In this article we’ll go through why it makes sense to trust car buying in Germany to a professional team like Sicher-Check, which inspection & service packages we offer (with concrete prices and examples), how the inspection process looks step by step, and which support you receive at every stage of the deal — from the first call with the seller to getting your plates and driving the car home.

Service packages & rates

To make our service clear and predictable, we’ve created several fixed packages. You can choose how much support you need depending on your budget and how involved you want to be. Below you’ll find the main packages with prices and what’s included in each:

Economy — 50 €

“Quick start” for a first remote check. Includes a call with the seller and clarifying key details, checking whether all documents are available and obtaining a CarVertical history report based on the VIN. This is ideal if you’ve found a car online, have a language barrier or prefer to outsource the technical part, and want to be sure the car looks clean on paper before travelling to see it.

Example: you’ve found an attractive advert. We call the seller, clarify details you care about and also ask our own “typical for this model” questions. We check that the necessary documents for selling the car are available (in big dealer groups the paperwork is sometimes stored centrally and takes several days to arrive). We request the VIN, run a CarVertical report (which we send to you) and then tell you whether, in our opinion, the car is worth viewing or better to skip.

Standard — 200 € + travel costs

Full on-site inspection anywhere in Germany. Includes everything from the Economy package (seller call and VIN check), plus an expert visit to the car, complete pre-purchase inspection with paint depth measurement and OBD diagnostics, a structured test drive and a detailed written report. We also assist with negotiation if desired. Travel costs (fuel, tolls, time) are calculated separately depending on distance from Berlin.

Example: the car is 300 km from Berlin. Our specialist arranges an appointment, travels to the location, checks the car technically and legally, then sends you a report and buying recommendation. On the day of writing, this would cost roughly 500 € = 200 € + 300 × 1.5 € travel costs.

More cars per day: in one working day we can plan a route and inspect several cars. Each additional inspection on the same day is 100 € + travel costs.

Berlin + Potsdam — 150 €

A fixed price with no extra travel costs in our home region. This special package is for cars located in Berlin, Potsdam and the surrounding area. For a flat fee you get a full on-site inspection with diagnostics. VIN history report can be added on request. This is the most cost-effective option if the car is nearby: we can usually react quickly and arrange an inspection within a short time.

Example: you’ve found a car in Berlin itself — the expert can often inspect it the same or the following day, and the cost is a flat 150 €.

Several local cars per day: within one working day we can inspect several local cars; each additional inspection on the same day is 100 € (no extra travel charge inside the region).

Full Service — 350 € + travel costs

Our “all inclusive” package: the maximum level of support for those who want to delegate the whole process. We search for cars that match your criteria, speak with sellers, obtain VIN history reports, carry out a full technical inspection and check the complete set of documents for purchase or export. In other words, you get a complete car buying service in Germany — you tell us what kind of car you want, and we do the rest.

*Number plates and transport are billed separately. Compared to the Standard package, Full Service adds deep work with documents (export/customs/registration), contract review and practical support with temporary or export plates. We can organise Kurzzeitkennzeichen or Ausfuhrkennzeichen and arrange delivery if needed (fees for plates and transport are agreed individually for each case).

If you decide to continue searching after an inspection, each additional on-site check costs 100 € + travel costs.

Example: you give us your budget and basic requirements. We shortlist several cars, you confirm the ones you like. We then call the sellers, ask for additional photos, request the VIN and clarify whatever you want to know. If nothing decent appears, we keep searching. If you choose a specific car, we arrange an inspection slot, calculate travel costs and go there. On site we perform a full pre-purchase inspection, check the documents, and if you decide to buy, we read through the contract with you and help with plates or transport. If you later decide to continue searching, each further inspection is 100 € + travel costs.

Important: our service is a professional expert assessment and is always a paid service. The fee is for the performed work and report. There is no refund even if you decide not to buy the car for any reason — our job is to give you an objective conclusion and measured diagnostics, not to guarantee that you will purchase a specific vehicle.

You can add the following extras to any package:

• Negotiation “done for you”: success fee of 30% of the actual discount achieved.
• Transport: driving the car on our plates or arranging a truck/auto transporter.
• Plates: Kurzzeitkennzeichen (5 days) or Ausfuhrkennzeichen (export plates) with insurance.

Up-to-date prices are listed on the page /en/auto/prices.html.

How the inspection works: step by step

Our internal process is streamlined so that you always know what is happening with “your” car. Below is how a typical pre-purchase inspection in Germany with Sicher-Check works:

1. ⚠️ Initial consultation and car selection. You contact us and tell us which car you’re considering (make, model, year, mileage, price etc.). Our expert clarifies details, reviews the advert and checks the basic information. If needed, we can help you shortlist several options that match your criteria and then pick the best candidates.
2. ⚠️ Calling the seller. We call the seller on your behalf, clarify the exact location and arrange an appointment. We schedule the visit for a suitable time and travel to where the car actually is — a dealer forecourt, private driveway or parking garage (within Berlin/Brandenburg or other regions by agreement).
3. ⚠️ Exterior & body inspection. On site, we walk around the car and inspect the body in detail. Using a professional paint thickness gauge we measure all panels. This reveals hidden repairs: repainted parts, filler, structural work or rust. We also look at glass, lights and panel gaps — any mismatches can point to crash damage in the past.
4. ⚠️ Electronic diagnostics (OBD). Next we connect our scanner to the OBD-II port and read out fault codes stored in the control units. This shows issues in the engine, transmission, ABS, airbags and other systems. If there are stored or pending codes — for example misfires or DPF issues — we see and document them. This kind of scan often reveals problems that are not obvious from the outside.
5. ⚠️ Document & history check. In parallel we verify the identity and paperwork. We compare the VIN on the car with the documents, review the service book for regular maintenance and mileage consistency and, if required, run a detailed history report (CarVertical or similar). We check whether the car has valid TÜV (MOT) and which emissions class it has. All legal aspects are summarised so you know whether the car is “clean” to register and export.
6. ⚠️ Test drive. After the static checks we always go for a test drive. The expert drives the car together with the seller to assess engine behaviour under different loads, shifting of the automatic or manual gearbox, braking performance and suspension behaviour. On the move, many hidden faults appear — noises from the drivetrain, knocks from the suspension, vibrations under braking and so on.
7. ⚠️ Condition assessment & final report. At the end we summarise all findings. We estimate what kind of work and cost is to be expected (for example new tyres, shocks, timing belt, oil leaks). This gives you a realistic picture for both negotiation and ownership. You receive a written report with photos, a checklist of inspected items and clear recommendations. We also discuss everything with you personally and, if you wish, help you negotiate a better price using the defects we’ve found.

You can be physically present at the inspection or join via video call — we adapt to what works for you. Our aim is transparency at each step so that your final buying decision is based on complete, objective information, not just “nice photos” from an advert.

Why a professional inspection matters

Many buyers wonder whether they really need a car buying service, or if they can just look at the car themselves. In practice, skipping a structured inspection means a high risk of missing serious defects and facing big repair bills soon after purchase. Even if the asking price looks like a bargain, without diagnostics you’re gambling with your money.

With the Sicher-Check car buying service in Germany/Berlin you get an independent assessment that protects your interests. There is no “wishful thinking” — our job is not to convince you to buy, but to show the true condition of the car. A checked car gives peace of mind: you know exactly what you’re buying and can register and drive it with confidence instead of wondering which warning light will appear next.

We check the full paperwork: Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I/II, service history, valid TÜV and the environmental sticker. We help you understand the key parts of the Kaufvertrag (warranty limitations etc.), prepare the eVB insurance code and support you in getting Kurzzeit- or Ausfuhrkennzeichen at the Zulassungsstelle. If required, we also help with transport or a driver.

Full document support: from contract to plates

Buying a car isn’t just about checking the mechanics — paperwork matters just as much. Our specialists help you make sure all documents are present and that the deal is structured correctly. During the process we check if everything that should be there is actually there: in Germany you should receive two registration documents (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I and II), the service book, a valid TÜV certificate and the emissions sticker. If something is missing, we flag it so the seller can provide it or you can decide to walk away.

Support with the purchase contract. When it comes to signing the Kaufvertrag (sales contract), we help you understand what you’re signing. German contracts often contain clauses regarding warranty (Gewährleistung) or its exclusion. We explain which parts mean what, and what the dealer’s legal responsibilities are compared to a private seller. Knowing these basics helps you avoid unpleasant surprises after you’ve paid.

Insurance & registration. After a successful deal we help you register the car. In Germany you need insurance before you can get plates — we prepare the eVB code for the period you need. Then we advise which plates make sense for your situation: 5-day Kurzzeitkennzeichen for short-term use in Germany or export plates (Ausfuhrkennzeichen) if you plan to drive the car out of the country.

We can also handle the registration process for you. With a power of attorney our staff collect your passport copies, the Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I/II, the signed contract, eVB and payment confirmations, and file everything with the Zulassungsstelle. If you have a pre-booked appointment, you can usually get your plates within the same day. We then pick up the physical plates and bring them straight to you. You save hours of queueing and navigating German bureaucracy.

How to actually pick up the car? This is a big question for many buyers abroad. We explain in detail what to do once the car is bought. If the car still has valid German registration and TÜV, sometimes short-term 5-day plates are enough. For export outside Germany, export plates with insurance are usually required. In some cases, using our own dealer plates for collection and then arranging transport is the best solution. If you prefer not to drive at all, we can help arrange a professional transporter to bring the car to your city.

How to choose a car that doesn’t need immediate repairs

Everyone wants a car that can be driven straight away without sinking money into repairs. On the used market that’s not always easy — statistics from TÜV and other bodies show that a large share of older cars have serious faults. To avoid joining that statistic, you need to look at a few key points.

Here are some principles that make it easier to choose a car that won’t demand large investments right after purchase:

• ❗ Service history. Look closely at the service record. A fully stamped service book is ideal. Regular oil changes and inspections are a strong signal that the car was looked after. Pay attention to major services in the schedule: timing belt changes, gearbox oil, etc. If such work is overdue, you should factor it into your budget.
• ❗ Wear & tear items. Check typical wear items. Even visually you can see a lot: tyre tread, brake pad and disc wear. Our expert always checks these and notes how long they are likely to last. This helps you plan whether a new set of tyres or brakes will be needed soon.
• ❗ Signs of upcoming repairs. Certain signs often indicate future repairs. Oil mist around engine seals, coolant residue, seepage at shock absorbers, uneven tyre wear (suspension or alignment problems) — an experienced inspector sees and documents all this. We always include an approximate cost estimate for such issues in the report.
• ❗ Sensible model choice. Be realistic when choosing a model. A cheap high-end luxury car can easily eat up the savings in repairs. Often it’s better to go for a simpler, well-kept car than for an “affordable” premium model at the end of its life. If the model you have in mind is known for weak gearboxes, rust or expensive electronics, we’ll tell you so directly.

With these rules — plus a professional pre-purchase inspection — you greatly reduce the chance of buying a car that will immediately demand money. In the end you save not only cash but also nerves, and you start your ownership on the right foot.

What’s in your inspection report

After the inspection we send you a detailed report on the car’s condition. This is the core deliverable of our service and contains everything you need to make a yes/no decision. Typically the report includes:

• 💯 Exterior & body results. A description of each body panel: which parts have original paint and where resprays or filler were detected. Thickness gauge readings are placed into a table or body diagram, so you can see at a glance which panels are out of range. We also comment on glass, lights, panel gaps and visible corrosion.
• 💯 Diagnostic data. A full list of OBD fault codes with descriptions. If we found codes in the engine, transmission, DPF, ABS, airbag or other systems, we explain what they mean and how serious they are. If no errors are stored, this is noted as well.
• 💯 Photos and video. We attach photos taken during the inspection: the car from various angles, VIN on the body, documented defects (scratches, rust, leaks etc.), tyres and brakes, instrument cluster with mileage and warning lights. On request we can add short videos (engine running, test drive impressions).
• 💯 Legal & history summary. If we checked the history, we provide a brief summary: mileage consistency, previous owners, possible accidents or insurance claims, whether the car may have been used as a taxi or rental etc. We list which original documents the seller has actually handed over.
• 💯 Expert recommendation. Finally, you get our clear verdict: buy / buy with reservation / don’t buy. We highlight critical and non-critical issues, advise which repairs are cosmetic and which are safety-related, and suggest a realistic price range given the condition. This also forms the basis for your negotiation strategy.

The report is usually delivered as a multi-page PDF. It follows a clear structure (body, interior, diagnostics, test drive, documents, recommendation) so you can quickly see the whole picture. We send the report and media files via email the same day whenever possible. If something is unclear, you can always ask follow-up questions — we stay in touch until everything is clear.

For many of our clients, this report is what made the difference between buying “blind” and making a conscious decision. Quite a few admit they would have bought a problematic car without it — and would have regretted it later. That’s why they see the cost of the inspection as an investment, not an expense.

Personal advice & recommendations

Our work doesn’t end once we’ve emailed the report. We want every client to end up with a car that truly fits their needs, so we give personal recommendations tailored to your situation.

📌 First, we listen to what you actually need. A family with kids, a commuter doing 100 km per day, or a self-employed person needing a representative car — these are very different use cases. We keep this in mind when giving feedback.

📌 Second, after a specific car has been inspected, we don’t just describe it — we evaluate whether it’s good value. If the issues are too serious for the asking price, we may advise you to walk away and look for another option. Many clients book us to help them through several cars until the “right one” appears.

📌 Third, we remain available even after the service is formally completed. You can ask further technical questions, get a second opinion on workshop quotes or ask for advice on maintenance after purchase. This personal approach is why a lot of our clients recommend us to their friends.

Related reading (internal links can be added later): “Is a professional pre-purchase inspection worth it?” and “How to choose your first car in Germany”.

Ready to check your next car?

The Sicher-Check car buying service in Germany is not a conveyor belt but a personal, expert service. We’re genuinely happy when a client gets a good car and later writes to say “everything has been perfect so far” — that’s the best feedback we can get.

Send us a quick request — we’ll agree on the details and can often inspect the car the same or the next working day (depending on location and seller availability). We work quickly, transparently and officially.

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