VIN, RAR Auto-Pass, service records and an independent inspection: what to check first and what a history report cannot prove.
A useful history is a timeline supported by evidence, not just a report with green ticks. Start with free checks, then pay for information that could change your buying decision.
Identity History evidence Where to find the VINStart with the vehicle number
Start with available technical details for free. The OBDAuto decoder does not provide accident, mileage, theft or service history.
Free checks and what a paid report may addHow to read a history reportRead the evidence, not just a verdict
Public carVertical demonstration screenshots, not reports purchased or cases investigated by OBDAuto. An example does not guarantee the same data for your car and does not replace an inspection.
carVertical · demonstration exampleRead the event type, date and estimate range. An assessment is not a paid invoice, and amounts should not automatically be added together.
Screenshot source: carVertical ↗ carVertical · demonstration exampleCompare the specifications with the documents and the actual car. This screenshot shows technical details, not a mileage timeline.
Screenshot source: carVertical ↗Vehicle history check (Affiliate partnership)
Before buying, compare the documents, mileage and physical inspection with available history records.
Check history on carVerticalGet -20% off with code:
Enter the VIN on the partner website. OBDAuto may earn a commission. Data coverage varies by vehicle; a complete history is not guaranteed.
Buying guide Editorial review: 17 October 2026Resolve any difference between vehicle markings, documents and the report before paying a deposit. An empty report does not confirm that the car has never been damaged.
Request a clear photo of the VIN on the car and the relevant documents, then arrange dates and mileage readings in order. Keep a budget for an independent inspection.
A VIN report and an inspection complement each other. No recorded damage does not mean no previous accident.
Your first check at the car
Illustrative windscreen photos from different vehicles. The exact position depends on make, model and market; these images are not model-specific instructions for every car in the guide.
Look from outside at the base of the windscreenWesha · Public domain · Resized and compressed as WebP; cropped for display.
GM example: the plate seen through the windscreenHans Haase · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Resized and compressed as WebP; cropped for display.
Some models show the VIN through the windscreen. A door-frame label or a stamped marking may be elsewhere; check the manufacturer’s manual for your model.
Compare the marking with the vehicle documents and report. Do not confuse an engine code or a part number with the VIN.
Do not scrape or alter markings. If a number is missing, hard to read or does not match, ask a specialist to verify the vehicle’s identity.
Order RAR Auto-Pass online through RAR itself: no vehicle visit, RON 42, valid for 60 days. If RAR has no data, it issues a free no-record certificate.
On a phone, scroll the table to see all columns.
2. Match the source to the vehicle's country| Check | What it offers | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|
| RAR Auto-Pass | Odometer readings and interventions reported to RAR. | Do not assume the foreign period is fully covered. |
| Dutch RDW records | Registration data and mileage assessment; ask the owner for the full report. | A positive assessment concerns recorded data, not the car's entire life. |
| German HU and service paperwork | Dated inspection and maintenance evidence. | Verify isolated stamps against supporting documents. |
| Commercial VIN report | Possible extra events, depending on country coverage and available databases. | Coverage varies. An empty report is not a guarantee. |
Arrange an independent inspection before a non-refundable deposit. Request a written report with photographs, defects and inspection limitations.
Buy a commercial report after confirming the car's identity and coverage of its origin country. Compare a sample report, total price and no-data terms. Budget for an independent inspection too; an online report cannot replace it.
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VIN matches documents and vehicle Seller and authority to sell confirmed Mileage and service timeline compared Gaps and contradictions explained Independent inspection and written findings Important claims included in the contractNo. Privately funded repairs or events in some countries may be absent. Check documents and the actual vehicle.
Should I pay for the report or inspection first?Check identity and documents for free, then buy a report if relevant. Inspect before the final financial commitment.
Do you offer vehicle inspections, history reports or transport?
Discuss a partnership with OBDAuto.roBuying and paperwork
Scan before and after a test drive, understand cleared codes and readiness, and combine a VIN report with a pre-purchase checklist.
Buying and paperwork Bringing a car from Germany or the Netherlands to RomaniaPurchase documents, export, transport and preparation for RAR. Two practical routes for private buyers living in Romania.
Buying and paperwork Buying a used car in Germany: documents, transport and VIN checks before travellingPrepare documents, an independent inspection and export before travelling. A Germany-specific route for buyers based in Romania.
Buying and paperwork Cars from the Netherlands, Belgium or France: checking for odometer rollbackRDW, Car-Pass and HistoVec: what to request, how to verify records and how to handle gaps in mileage history.