Car selection in Germany — inspection and diagnostics before purchase

Car selection in Germany: how to choose a car that won’t demand repairs in the near future

Comprehensive car selection in Germany (including car selection in Berlin as well as trips to Potsdam, Hamburg, Leipzig, Dresden and Erfurt) is a full service for those who want to buy a used car without hidden problems and unnecessary costs. Sicher-Check works across Germany and specialises in thorough pre-purchase inspections. We help you save time and money, provide a high-quality inspection, computer diagnostics and a legal check of the vehicle. Below we explain the benefits you get when you work with Sicher-Check and how our car selection process is organised.

Why choose ‘Car selection Germany’ from Sicher-Check?

• Guaranteed quality inspection and diagnostics. With our ‘Car selection Germany’ service, we carry out a full visual inspection and computer (OBD) diagnostics of every vehicle. We measure paint thickness with a gauge, check for hidden repairs and read fault codes from the on-board computers. This approach reveals issues you might not see yourself — for example concealed body repairs, tampered mileage or minor electrical faults.
• Real mileage and history. We verify the VIN and order a CarVertical report to get the full history of the vehicle. This shows accidents, repair work, service entries and changes of ownership. You learn about hidden problems in advance and avoid buying a car with rolled-back mileage.
• Saving time and money. Searching for a car in Germany, arranging viewings and negotiating with sellers can be exhausting. With Sicher-Check you don’t have to drive around yourself: we handle it for you. We contact the seller, schedule the appointment and send an expert to the car. Another advantage — professional negotiation: we work to reduce the price and only take a 30% commission from the actual discount achieved (70% of the saving stays with you). Even an expensive car bought via Sicher-Check is often cheaper overall than a self-purchase followed by repairs.
• Protection against fraud & legal clarity. Our ‘Car selection Germany/Berlin’ service is fully on the buyer’s side. We know where to look, what to ask and what typical scams look like (fake sellers, “contract on a German”, demand for advance payments). We check the VIN and documents to make sure the deal is legal. For every car we order a CarVertical report so you can be sure it is not stolen, pledged or burdened with legal issues. Our fees are invoiced officially and all agreements are documented.
• No language barrier and less stressful communication. We handle communication with German-speaking sellers, explain all important points in plain language and translate anything you need.
• VIN report for every car. We purchase a CarVertical report for the vehicle, checking legal status, accident history, registrations and possible encumbrances.
• Professional equipment and real-world experience. We use modern tools — an OBD scanner and precise paint thickness gauges. Our experts have years of experience inspecting various makes and models. We inspect any car, from a typical daily driver to an almost-new vehicle after an accident, and give an objective evaluation of its condition.
• Transparent and official. We are 100% on the buyer’s side. You don’t need to negotiate with the seller alone or dive into German legal terminology. Our specialists translate and comment on important details. You receive a detailed report in English or Russian with photos, videos of all issues, a printout of diagnostic results and a clear recommendation to “buy” or “walk away”. With Sicher-Check you are protected from unpleasant surprises — we keep the process as honest and transparent as possible.

What’s included in ‘Car selection Germany’ from Sicher-Check

• Car search and pre-selection. We search listings based on your criteria (brand, model, year, mileage, price, options etc.) on major German platforms such as Mobile.de and AutoScout24. We also consider your individual wishes (for example, specific options or drivetrain). We shortlist several suitable cars so you can choose the best one.
• Communication with the seller. We get in touch with the seller, clarify the specification, check the basic legal aspects and arrange an inspection appointment. If needed, we can organise a live video walk-through so you can follow the inspection remotely even from another country. You don’t have to call or write to sellers yourself.
• Test drive. If the seller agrees, we perform a test drive. We check cold start behaviour, smooth gear changes, unusual noises under acceleration and braking, and how the car behaves at different speeds and road surfaces. This helps us evaluate the condition of the engine, transmission and suspension “on the road”.
• On-site inspection and computer diagnostics. Our expert inspects the bodywork (measuring paint thickness), checks the interior, suspension and electrics. Using OBD diagnostics we read fault codes from all control units (engine, gearbox, ABS, ESP etc.). We test the engine under different loads, assess brakes and dampers. The report captures all issues — from visible damage to minor leaks or evidence of previous repairs.
• VIN check and report. We cross-check the VIN on the body and in the documents and order a CarVertical report. It reveals accidents, liens, theft records and registration changes. You get a realistic picture of the car’s history and avoid a problematic vehicle.
• Written report + media. You receive a detailed report with high-resolution photos, short videos of defects, OBD results, paint measurements and the expert’s comments. The document ends with a clear “buy / do not buy” verdict and an explanation. The report is sent electronically so you can review it calmly and discuss it with us.

Additionally:

• Price negotiation. Based on the inspection results we help you negotiate a lower price. Our arguments are backed by facts: the real condition of the car and the list of defects. Our commission for negotiations is 30% of the actual discount obtained — 70% of the saved money stays in your pocket.
• Deal support. With our ‘Car selection Germany’ service we help you with paperwork: purchase contract, power of attorney for export, EORI number and other documents. If needed, we accompany you to the local registration authority (Zulassungsstelle) to obtain export plates and give advice on VAT and customs procedures.
• Registration plates. We help you arrange Kurzzeitkennzeichen (short-term plates for 5–12 days) and Ausfuhrkennzeichen (export plates). This gives you a legal way to drive the car on public roads in Germany and the EU.
• Car delivery. We can organise delivery to your city — either by driving the car on our plates (with your documents) or by car transporter. Our ‘Car selection Germany’ service helps you plan the optimal route, time and insurance for transport. More details: shipping & delivery.

Service cost: ‘Car selection Germany’ and what affects the price

Our pricing is transparent. Base packages are listed on the Prices page. There is a basic “Economy” option (from €50), “Standard” (from €200 + travel costs), a “Berlin & Potsdam” package (from €150) and “Full support” (from €350). Depending on the package, you can get anything from a simple consultation to a full “turn-key” service (search, inspection, diagnostics, negotiation, paperwork and delivery).

What influences the final price:

• Scope of services. A one-off consultation, single inspection or a comprehensive “turn-key” package.
• Number of cars inspected. Checking several vehicles will be calculated individually.
• Travel distance. The further the car is from our base near Berlin (Stahnsdorf), the higher the travel costs. We calculate mileage in advance and agree everything with you upfront.
• Extra options. Urgent inspections, live video, extended paperwork support etc. may influence the price as well.

We discuss your budget and the level of inspection in advance. This allows us to give you a clear price without hidden fees. You only pay for what you really need — and in practice our service often costs less than potential repairs or legal issues after a poorly checked purchase.

How to order car selection in Germany

1. Submit a request via the contact form or from the Services page. Get in touch with our “Car selection Berlin/Germany” team in any convenient way — via the website form, by phone or messenger (WhatsApp, Viber). Briefly describe what you’re looking for.
2. Send us information about the car: a link to the listing or your requirements (year, mileage, budget, options etc.).
3. Scheduling: we contact the seller, clarify details and arrange a suitable date and place for the inspection.
4. On-site inspection: our expert from “Car selection Germany” arrives at the car, performs a full inspection, diagnostics and a car check in Germany via VIN. We document everything with photos and videos, and — if agreed — negotiate with the seller based on the detected defects.
5. Report: after the inspection you receive a detailed written report containing photos, short videos, a list of OBD fault codes, paint measurements and a clear recommendation (“buy / don’t buy”). If needed we also organise delivery.
6. Deal support: once you decide to buy, we help you with the contract, export paperwork, temporary/export plates and delivery to your city.
7. After-inspection support: even after you receive the report, our team stays in touch. If you have questions or need help with transport and insurance, we are there to assist.
8. You can find all contact options on the Contact page.

What types of cars are most often bought in Germany?

The German used-car market is huge, but several categories are particularly popular:

We work in Berlin, Potsdam, Hamburg, Leipzig, Dresden, Erfurt — and across Germany.

What you may miss when checking a car yourself in Germany

• Document issues. VIN mismatches, “grey” schemes, liens, restrictions.
• Hidden defects. Masked body repairs, control unit errors, suspension problems.
• Mileage manipulation. Inconsistencies between different ECUs, suspicious software updates.
• No arguments for negotiation. Without objective diagnostic results, sellers rarely reduce the price.

Independent diagnostics and a thorough car inspection within our ‘Car selection Germany’ service give you a full picture and a solid basis for a confident decision.

Interesting facts about car selection and buying in Germany

• Huge market. Germany has around 46 million registered passenger cars, and a large share of transactions involve used vehicles. From budget city hatchbacks to nearly new premium brands — the choice is enormous.
• Regular technical inspection (TÜV). Cars older than three years undergo a mandatory inspection every two years. Sellers usually have a recent TÜV report, and many repairs are done before the inspection. This makes the technical state of cars more predictable.
• Environmental zones (Umweltzonen). Many German cities have “green zones” where only cars with a specific emissions standard (usually Euro 4+) are allowed. When choosing a car, you need to check which environmental sticker it qualifies for. We consider this when we help you choose a diesel or petrol car for cities like Berlin, Hamburg or Munich.
• Export and temporary plates. For driving out of Germany special plates are used: Kurzzeitkennzeichen (short-term) and Ausfuhrkennzeichen (export). We help you apply for the right plates and handle the paperwork so your export is legal.
• Service history. Most cars in Germany have detailed service documentation. Workshop invoices and service book entries show what was done and when. Through VIN and service data you can reconstruct the car’s history with a high level of detail.
• Growing share of EVs. The share of electric vehicles in Germany is constantly increasing. For EV buyers, we focus on battery health, charging cycles and charging equipment, so you don’t end up with an expensive but “tired” battery.
• Dealer guarantees. When buying from an official dealer, used cars often come with at least 12 months of statutory warranty (Gewährleistung). That increases protection — if a covered defect appears after purchase, the dealer is obliged to remedy it.
• Fierce competition. At any given time, tens of thousands of cars are listed on platforms like Mobile.de. This competition means buyers from the EU or abroad can find a car for almost any taste and budget — and sellers are often ready to negotiate.
• Multi-stage checks. Between TÜV, workshop records and digital history via VIN, a car can be checked at several levels. If you know where to look — and we do — you get a much clearer picture than from a quick visual inspection.
• Diesel restrictions. Some large cities (including Berlin, Hamburg, Munich) restrict the entry of older diesel cars into environmental zones. When you choose a diesel, it’s important to make sure it meets the required standard to avoid fines and limitations.

By trusting Sicher-Check with car selection, you get a full range of services and protection of your interests at every stage. We do everything to make sure you buy a reliable car without surprises or unnecessary costs. Our professional inspection, diagnostics and legal support minimise the risk of problems after the deal. We answer questions quickly and can help with transport and delivery to your city. In short: we help you choose the right car — safely, transparently and with peace of mind.