GTÜ used-car inspection – or on-site at the seller instead?

checkdenwagen is a nationwide provider of on-site used-car inspections across Germany: an independent inspector drives straight to the vehicle at the seller, inspects over 100 points and delivers a digital photo report within 24 hours. The fixed price starts from €289 (Standard) or from €339 (Premium, incl. market value and repair-cost estimate), incl. VAT & travel — no test-centre appointment, no driving the used car to a station.

GTÜ (Gesellschaft für Technische Überwachung) is a recognised inspection organisation that operates mainly through freelance experts and a network of contract-partner test centres. Its focus traditionally lies on the main inspection (HU) and officially recognised appraisals. Expert appraisals for used cars are typically carried out at a test centre, to which the vehicle has to be brought. Publicly stated prices range, depending on scope and test centre, from roughly €150 to €200 (as of 2026-05, sources: gtue.de, pruefstellen.de, eosfahrzeugtechnik.de).

The key difference: checkdenwagen comes to the vehicle — nationwide, with a fixed price and a digital report. GTÜ usually offers the check at a partner test centre, to which you have to bring the vehicle beforehand or ask the seller to drive the vehicle there.

GTÜ is a sensible choice if you already know that there is a GTÜ partner test centre or a GTÜ expert within reach near you, and you can or want to bring the vehicle there. This applies in particular in the following situations:

You also want to have a main inspection (HU) or emissions test (AU) carried out at the same time and want to combine this with a used-car inspection. GTÜ is recognised for the HU and can offer both under one roof.

You need an officially recognised expert appraisal, for instance for insurance or valuation purposes, and want to handle it through a recognised inspection organisation.

You are in the immediate vicinity of a GTÜ test centre and transporting the vehicle is straightforward.

In all these cases, GTÜ can be a suitable option. Its strength traditionally lies in officially recognised vehicle inspection — less so in the specialised used-car inspection for private buyers.

checkdenwagen is the right choice if you want to buy a used car and keep the independent check as straightforward as possible — without having to bring the vehicle to a test centre and without waiting for a free slot at a station.

checkdenwagen is particularly suitable when:

The vehicle is still at the seller and you have no influence over whether the seller takes the car to a test centre. Our inspector comes straight to the vehicle — whether it's a private seller, a dealer or a car dealership.

You are searching for vehicles nationwide. Our network operates across Germany, so you can pick the best offer without limiting yourself to your region.

You want transparency on the price. The fixed price is set before booking — no surprises after the check.

You need a Premium package with a market-value assessment and a repair-cost estimate. The Premium package (from €339) gives you an extended assessment as a basis for negotiation.

You want certainty on the purchase price: if the viewing is cancelled, we refund the full amount.

The information about GTÜ is based on publicly available sources (as of 2026). Prices, waiting times and services may vary by region and change over time; we report them to the best of our knowledge and accept no liability for their accuracy.