Used car pre-purchase inspection checklist: what to check | DVI Reports

A practical checklist for documents, bodywork, engine, road test and independent inspection.

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Used car pre-purchase inspection checklist: what to check

Illustrative image: Pre-purchase car inspection — illustrative image

Check vehicle identity and condition before paying a deposit. Use this list to prepare a viewing and an independent inspection.

Identity History evidence Where to find the VIN

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 ↗

Vehicle history check (Affiliate partnership)

Before buying, compare the documents, mileage and physical inspection with available history records.

Check history on carVertical

Get -20% off with code:

Enter the VIN on the partner website. OBDAuto may earn a commission. Data coverage varies by vehicle; a complete history is not guaranteed.

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.

A clean history or one test does not guarantee condition. Ask a workshop to inspect the vehicle and quote confirmed findings.

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. Identity and documents

  1. Compare the VIN on the car and documents. Ask for service records and dated mileage.
  2. Check official history and recall services relevant to the vehicle’s country.
  3. Ask about repairs, outstanding campaigns and ownership documents.
Sources: GOV.UK — checking a used vehicle

2. Exterior and body

  1. Compare panel gaps and colour in daylight. Measure several metal panels; one paint reading does not prove an accident.
  2. Inspect tyres for uneven wear and damage; have a workshop measure brakes.
  3. Inspect glass, lamps and visible leaks. Never go under a car supported only by a jack.

3. Interior and warning lights

  1. Compare wear on the wheel, pedals and seats with the records; wear alone does not prove mileage fraud.
  2. Check climate control, windows, belts and dashboard self-test against the handbook. An airbag lamp that fails to illuminate needs investigation, not a fraud verdict.
Sources: Volkswagen — warning lights

4. Cold start and diagnostics

  1. Request a cold start in a ventilated area. Observe persistent smoke and leaks without opening hot components.
  2. With permission scan accessible modules and save codes before clearing. No codes does not prove there are no faults.
  3. Take a safe road test and request an independent lift inspection and quote.
OBD checks before purchase →Estimate the car value →

Take the checklist to the viewing

Free OBDAuto checklist; not an official certificate and not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Download PDF checklistCreate an inspection report

Your checklist

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

0 / 6 checks completed

Compare VIN and documents Request service and dated mileage records Inspect body, tyres and lights Check warning lights and cabin equipment Observe a cold start and leaks Save diagnostics and request an independent inspection

Frequently asked questions

Does thick paint prove a crash?

No. It can indicate an intervention or different material; compare multiple readings and records.

Is a diagnostic scan enough?

No. It does not replace a mechanical inspection or document checks.

Do you offer vehicle inspections, history reports or transport?

Discuss a partnership with OBDAuto.ro

Buying and paperwork

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