How to read an inspection sheet: brakes, emissions and defects | DVI Reports

Review values from a photographed inspection sheet and prepare notes for a workshop.

Full guideFree · No account required Used-car buying and checks

How to read an inspection sheet: brakes, emissions and defects

An inspection sheet may include defects and measurement results. A clear photograph can help you transcribe them into a workshop preparation report.

Start with the vehicle number

Check the VIN before buying

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 report

Read the evidence, not just a verdict

Report examples, explained

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 example

Separate damage and assessment entries

Read 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 example

Vehicle identity and specifications

Compare 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: 27 October 2026

Pause if the VIN does not match

Resolve 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.

A practical check before travelling

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.

The OBDAuto report is an unofficial preparatory record; check the official inspection document for the result and classifications.

Your first check at the car

Where to find and compare the VIN

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 windscreen

Wesha · Public domain · Resized and compressed as WebP; cropped for display.

GM example: the plate seen through the windscreen

Hans Haase · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Resized and compressed as WebP; cropped for display.

  1. Find the number on the vehicle

    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.

  2. Compare all 17 characters

    Compare the marking with the vehicle documents and report. Do not confuse an engine code or a part number with the VIN.

  3. Resolve differences before paying

    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.

NHTSA: examples of VIN locations ↗

1. Prepare the photo

  1. Photograph the whole page without glare. Check every page and make sure units and classifications are legible.
  2. In the pre-inspection report, open the specific details and choose the photo import.
Open the pre-inspection form →See the pre-inspection report →

2. Review values and defects

  1. Compare suggested brake and emissions values, axle and units against the original. Tables may be misread.
  2. Enter marked defects and classifications manually; OCR text does not establish whether a box is checked.

3. Prepare for the workshop

  1. Add confirmed observations and the checks requested from the workshop. A measurement alone does not identify a failed part or repair cost.
  2. Seek workshop advice before using a vehicle with a dangerous defect.

Your checklist

Tick off completed checks. The list resets when you reload the page.

0 / 5 checks completed

Photograph all pages clearly Compare values and units Enter marked defects Confirm report observations Request workshop checks and a quote

Frequently asked questions

Does the OBDAuto report replace an official inspection?

No. It is an unofficial preparatory record.

Are marked boxes read automatically?

No. Check and enter marked boxes and classifications manually.

Do you offer vehicle inspections, history reports or transport?

Discuss a partnership with OBDAuto.ro

Buying and paperwork

Related guides

View full category Buying and paperwork How to check a used car's history before buying

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 car

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 Romania

Purchase 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 travelling

Prepare documents, an independent inspection and export before travelling. A Germany-specific route for buyers based in Romania.