Compare like-for-like listings, calculate a median and check history and upcoming costs. Use the car valuation tool for an asking-price reference.
A useful price check starts with comparable cars. A manual diesel Golf is not a direct benchmark for an automatic petrol version, and the cheapest listing may have a different specification or need repairs. Review the offer before travelling and budget for anything an independent inspection finds.
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 ↗ Buying guide Editorial review: 22 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.
Use the median asking price as a starting point, then investigate the actual car. Listing medians are not completed sale prices and do not confirm mechanical condition.
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.
Enter the make, model, year, mileage, market and currency in the OBDAuto calculator. Add the variant and fuel when known. It searches the approved listing database and provides a comparison only when enough eligible matches exist.
The minimum is 5 individually reviewed listings, or 10 when the sample includes automatically screened listings. Listings older than 30 days are excluded. Data is not checked in real time. If the sample is insufficient, a theoretical scenario based on the original new price stays separate and is not presented as a market-based valuation.
Get an estimate with the OBDAuto car valuation tool →For your own cross-check, collect recent listings for the same generation, body style, engine and transmission. Keep year and mileage close, then examine equipment and history. Age, mileage and specification affect valuations; service records and condition can explain further differences.
Hypothetical example to explain the method: five comparable cars are advertised at EUR 10,800, 11,200, 11,500, 11,900 and 13,800. Sorted by price, their median is EUR 11,500. The EUR 13,800 listing raises the average without changing the middle value.
An asking price of EUR 12,200 is EUR 700, or about 6.1%, above that median: (12,200 − 11,500) / 11,500 × 100. Equipment, history or condition might explain it. The difference alone does not prove overpricing. These figures are invented and do not describe a specific model or today's market.
On a phone, scroll the table to see all columns.
3. Calculate the median, rather than chasing the lowest price| Measure | What it tells you | What it does not prove |
|---|---|---|
| Median | The middle asking price in the sorted group | The final transaction price |
| Observed range | How far the selected offers vary | That every price in the range is justified |
| Comparable count | How much evidence you have to inspect | That all the cars are in identical condition |
Ask for maintenance records and a dated mileage timeline. For available Romanian records, access RAR Auto-Pass through the official RAR website. Combine paperwork with an independent inspection and test drive; a missing history entry does not certify the absence of problems.
Get a written estimate for identified work and check the exact engine's maintenance schedule. Tyres, brakes and overdue servicing can change your purchase budget. Do not automatically deduct the whole estimate from the median: some comparable offers may need the same work. Use it to discuss the inspected vehicle.
How to check a used car's history →Using an OBD scanner before buying → Sources: RAC — used-car buying checklistRAR — Auto-Pass: informații și acces oficialWrite down the asking price, listing benchmark, equipment differences and work confirmed by inspection. Set a total budget covering purchase, formalities, immediate maintenance and a contingency.
Investigate an unusually low price before paying. For a high price, ask the seller for supporting evidence. Repeat the comparison when new offers appear; a withdrawn advert does not reveal the price achieved.
Get a price reference from the car valuation tool →See how mileage affects a used car's price →Tick off completed checks. The list resets when you reload the page.
0 / 6 checks completed
I compared the same generation, engine and transmission. I separated full prices from deposits, instalments and net figures. I removed duplicates and recorded listing dates. I checked whether the calculator shows listing evidence or a theoretical scenario. I checked history, mileage and condition with an independent inspection. I calculated the full budget and set my offer before negotiating.Compare offers with closely matched model, year, engine, transmission and mileage. Start with the median, then account for documented history, equipment and inspection findings.
Does OBDAuto show the actual selling price?It provides a reference from eligible asking prices when enough listings exist, not completed transaction prices. A theoretical scenario is labelled separately.
Can I automatically negotiate the difference from the median?The difference starts a discussion. Equipment, condition and history can justify another price; request evidence and an estimate for identified problems.
What if there are too few comparable listings?Find more offers manually or wait for additional data. Record differences if you widen the age or mileage range. Do not treat a theoretical scenario as an observed market price.
Do you offer vehicle inspections, history reports or transport?
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