RDW, Car-Pass and HistoVec: what to request, how to verify records and how to handle gaps in mileage history.
An imported car may have readings across several systems, and its country of origin does not guarantee a complete history. Request the right evidence before export and follow the same VIN from the earliest document to today's odometer.
Identity History evidence Where to find the VIN Photograph: credit and licenceWikimedia Commons contributor · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Resized and compressed to WebP; photograph content preserved.
Start 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.
An increasing series supports the available chronology only. Missing periods and distance travelled after the last entry still need checking.
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.
Request the Dutch registration, exact displayed reading and the RDW report available to the owner. RDW's assessment of a supplied reading uses the registration and precise value; it does not show the full recorded series. Invalid or expired registrations may yield no assessment.
'Logisch' means the recorded series increases; 'onlogisch' needs investigation and 'geen oordeel' means there is insufficient information for an assessment. Request records before deregistration/export and separately examine periods spent in other countries.
Sources: RDW — kilometerstand controlerenRDW — voertuigrapportUse the official Car-Pass domain to verify the document through its number or QR code, then match VIN and dates to the car. A photographed sheet alone is insufficient. Different first-use and first-Belgian-registration dates can indicate an earlier period abroad.
Compare the latest Car-Pass reading with the current odometer and subsequent invoices. Investigate decreases or mismatched dates; authenticating a document alone does not establish today's mechanical condition.
Sources: Car-Pass — document and authenticityThe owner generates and shares the HistoVec report. The official service includes available administrative information, inspection records and related mileage. Typing a VIN into a website that resembles a public service is not equivalent.
Compare inspection readings with invoices and the export date. Ask about missing inspections or usage periods. HistoVec does not automatically record every repair or every kilometre driven.
Sources: Service Public — HistoVecTick off completed checks. The list resets when you reload the page.
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I obtained records before export. I checked the official source for each country. I matched the VIN across records. I separated kilometres from miles. I requested documented explanations for gaps or decreases. I compared the last reading with the odometer and inspection.No. Dated readings, authenticity and coverage matter, including use before import into that country.
Does RDW 'no assessment' mean fraud?No. There is insufficient information for that assessment; request additional evidence.
Can steering-wheel wear reveal exact mileage?No. Parts can be replaced and usage varies. Wear justifies questions and inspection, not an invented number.
Do you offer vehicle inspections, history reports or transport?
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