Separate economic loss, structural damage and registration status. A large repair estimate alone does not establish a total loss.
'Total loss' can describe an insurer's economic decision, while 'structural damage' describes affected parts and repairs. For a car from Germany or Italy, examine the event, repair quality and document status separately.
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.
A high repair estimate does not automatically establish a total loss, and an economic settlement does not certify repair safety.
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.
ADAC describes wirtschaftlicher Totalschaden as a situation where repair is no longer economically worthwhile. Request the original assessment with its date, VIN, damage description and valuation figures. Do not apply universal percentages or thresholds to an unseen case.
Separately request pre-repair photographs, work records and invoices. Expensive exterior parts can raise an estimate without proving structural deformation; a cheap repair does not prove the structure was untouched.
Sources: ADAC — Unfall / TotalschadenRequest insurer or assessor documentation for an alleged perdita totale. For legal status and recorded administrative events, use the relevant ACI/PRA services: a visura and chronological extract serve administrative purposes. Do not present a PRA extract as a complete accident database.
Read 'radiazione' together with the reason: export and demolition are different operations. Before a deposit, verify originals and whether the documents support the proposed export and registration route; confirm the specific case with the relevant authority and RAR.
Sources: ACI — Visura e Estratto CronologicoACI — radiazione per esportazioneRAR — documente pentru CIVFor suspected structural damage, obtain a body inspection on a lift, measurements against manufacturer data and safety-system checks. A fault-free scan or wheel alignment within tolerance alone does not prove correct body repair.
If key records are missing or inspection is refused, pause payment. Even with documented repairs, assess current condition and price; do not treat a history report as a mechanical guarantee.
Five signs requiring a structural inspection →Tick off completed checks. The list resets when you reload the page.
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I read the original term and its context. I requested the assessment and original photographs. I separated the estimate from the repair invoice. I checked the deregistration reason and original documents. I arranged structural and safety checks. I paused payment until discrepancies were resolved.Not automatically. The figure's meaning, vehicle value and event documentation matter.
Does 'no damage found' prove no accident occurred?No. Some events never reach the consulted databases or are unavailable for that VIN.
Does a valid roadworthiness inspection replace repair checks?No. Suspected structural damage needs a dedicated inspection with written findings.
Do you offer vehicle inspections, history reports or transport?
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