Check the contractual seller, document provenance and record authenticity. A seller's label never replaces evidence.
A trader may have complete records while a private seller may have major gaps. Verify the contractual seller and evidence about the vehicle. Labels such as 'trader' or 'my personal car' are no substitute for checks.
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.
Follow a consistent vehicle identity and chronology, with a seller willing to answer in writing. Do not pay for an account you cannot verify.
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 name of the person or business on the contract and evidence of authority to sell. If an intermediary handles discussions, clarify their role and authorisation. Compare the contract, vehicle records and payee; resolve material differences before payment.
Do not sign blank forms or documents naming a different seller from the one agreed. Save the advert and discussions. Resolve contractual uncertainty before signing rather than assuming every transaction has the same rules.
Sources: ADAC — used-car buying checklistBuild a chronology of ownership, countries, mileage readings, inspections, servicing and repairs. 'One owner' may differ from 'one user'; ask exactly what the seller claims and which document supports it.
A recent service or sparse report does not explain earlier years. Request evidence of claimed expensive work and compare mileage then with today's odometer. Diagnostics add condition information; they cannot universally authenticate the account.
History-check sequence →'Someone else arrives in ten minutes', inspection refusal and demands for a deposit to a shipper are reasons to slow down. Request a realistic checking period and a viewing at the vehicle. A verifiable deal should not depend on immediate payment to an unknown third party.
Sources: Polizei — Vorkasse / advance-payment fraudmobile.de — security adviceTick off completed checks. The list resets when you reload the page.
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I identified the contractual seller. I clarified any intermediary's role. I compared the VIN and original documents. I authenticated important sources. I checked chronology and claimed work. I have agreement for an independent inspection.No. Evidence quality, contractual identity and vehicle condition matter in either case.
Is an invoice photograph enough?It is a starting point. Check issuer, VIN, date, work and whether it can be confirmed.
What if the seller refuses my chosen workshop?Offer another independent specialist. If every reasonable inspection is refused, pause payment.
Do you offer vehicle inspections, history reports or transport?
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