Compare technical decoding, national records and commercial reports. Pay to answer specific questions while accounting for data gaps.
Start with the question: what vehicle is it, which mileage readings are documented, or whether damage records are available. A free decoder and a commercial history report serve different purposes. Neither automatically sees every repair.
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.
Use accessible evidence first and pay for relevant additional information. Keep a budget for a physical inspection.
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.
On a phone, scroll the table to see all columns.
1. What each source type can provide| Source | What to check | Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Free OBDAuto decoder | Available technical data from NHTSA and the ASTRA catalogue. | Partial coverage; no accident, service, theft or mileage history. |
| Documents and national services | Readings, inspections or administrative status, depending on country and access. | No complete European database; some documents require the owner or a fee. |
| Commercial VIN report | Historical events and photographs when available in consulted sources. | Coverage varies by VIN; missing data do not prove an absence of problems. |
| Independent inspection | Observable condition and technical checks performed now. | Cannot automatically reconstruct the vehicle's entire past. |
Request the VIN, documents, invoices and existing reports. In France, the owner can share HistoVec. For a Dutch car, use the appropriate RDW tool and request the owner's report. In Belgium, authenticate the supplied Car-Pass. Obtaining a document and allowing a buyer to check it are different services with potentially different costs.
For Romanian history, check the official RAR Auto-Pass service and its coverage. Auto-Pass does not promise complete coverage of years spent abroad. Verify current charges on the official website.
Sources: Service Public — HistoVecRDW — kilometerstand controlerenCar-Pass — document and authenticityRAR — Auto-PassIt may be useful after identifying the car and seller, when looking for cross-border events, older photographs or additional readings. Decide which finding would change your next step: cancelling travel, requesting a damage assessment or investigating a mileage decrease.
Before payment, check the final price, product, access period and terms for an empty report or error. A rich provider example does not guarantee the same content for your VIN. Do not choose solely by a discount percentage.
carVertical analysis and sample limitations → Sources: carVertical — available report sectionsTick off completed checks. The list resets when you reload the page.
0 / 6 checks completed
I defined the question I need answered. I requested existing documents and reports. I checked relevant national sources. I read the paid product's limitations. I checked current price and terms. I reserved funds for physical inspection.The OBDAuto decoder provides available technical details. It does not check accident or mileage history.
Are all national sources free?No. Access, eligible requester and charges vary. Check the official service for each document.
Does a paid report guarantee the purchase?No. It is an additional information source to compare with documents and a current inspection.
Do you offer vehicle inspections, history reports or transport?
Discuss a partnership with OBDAuto.roBuying and paperwork
VIN, RAR Auto-Pass, service records and an independent inspection: what to check first and what a history report cannot prove.
Buying and paperwork How to use an OBD scanner when buying a used carScan 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.