Example used-car inspection report: what your report looks like

A checkdenwagen report is divided into eight inspection categories: bodywork and paint, engine and drivetrain, transmission, suspension and brakes, electronics, interior, documents and — in the Premium package — price analysis. Each category contains findings with photographic evidence and measurements where relevant. The Standard Check delivers all eight categories with complete findings. The Premium Check adds the price analysis: market value after deducting for defects, a basis for negotiation and an itemised repair-cost calculation. The report is available to you digitally within 24 hours of the inspection.

Our inspector measures the paint thickness digitally on all relevant body panels — bonnet, wings, doors, sills and roof. Deviations from the factory specification point to repaints or filler used after accident damage. In the illustrative example: left wing 320 µm (factory norm ~120 µm), right driver's door 410 µm — both clear indicators of a history. In addition, the inspector checks panel gaps, door catches and visible rust on the sills and wheel arches.

Assessed here are cold-start and warm-up behaviour, leaks at seals and hoses, belt condition, coolant level and colour, as well as any unusual running noises. The OBD-II diagnostics read stored fault codes from all reachable control units — engine, exhaust system and ancillary units. In the illustrative example: stored fault P0420 (catalyst efficiency below threshold), no immediate failure but action needed in the medium term. Engine-oil condition and the oil-change interval are checked for plausibility against the service history.

On manual gearboxes, shift quality, synchronisation of all gears and clutch behaviour are evaluated during the test drive. On automatic and dual-clutch transmissions, the focus is on torque-converter behaviour, shift logic, jerking when pulling away and noises during gear changes. OBD fault codes from the transmission control unit feed into the assessment. In the illustrative example: slight jerking when pulling away at crawl speed, typical of transmission-oil ageing at over 80,000 km, no acute defect.

Visual inspection of shock absorbers, ball joints, track-rod ends and anti-roll-bar bushings for wear and leaks. Brake discs are checked for scoring, minimum thickness and even wear, and brake pads for remaining thickness. Brake fluid is tested for water content (wet boiling point). In the illustrative example: rear brake discs at the wear limit, brake fluid with elevated water content — both requiring action in the short term.

Full OBD-II readout of all reachable control units: engine, transmission, ABS/ESP, airbag, air conditioning and driver-assistance systems. Stored fault codes are classified by severity. In addition, all controls and assistance systems are checked for function: power windows, seat adjustment, infotainment, reversing camera, sensors. In the illustrative example: airbag control unit with one stored fault (passenger airbag), no warning light active, but further investigation recommended.

The wear pattern on the driver's seat, steering wheel and gear knob is compared against the stated mileage — an excessively worn steering wheel at a claimed 40,000 km is a warning sign. The air conditioning, heating, all speakers and the panoramic roof (if fitted) are checked for function. Smell and signs of moisture are explicitly documented. In the illustrative example: vehicle floor on the driver's side with a slight trace of moisture, air conditioning cools but with an unusual noise.

Vehicle registration parts I and II are checked for completeness and plausibility. The service book shows whether maintenance intervals were kept — both by time interval and by mileage. Roadworthiness-test (HU) records are examined for gaps. The number of previous owners is recorded and compared against the vehicle's age. In the illustrative example: service book with two gaps (no record for the 60,000 km and 90,000 km services), vehicle title in the name of the third owner.

This section is included exclusively in the Premium Check. It consists of three parts: first, the market-value assessment of the vehicle in its current condition based on comparable listings; second, the itemised repair-cost calculation for all defects identified; and third, the calculated basis for negotiation (listing price minus repair costs minus a reasonable risk discount). In the illustrative example: listing price €14,900, market value of comparable vehicles €13,500–14,200, identified defect costs ~€1,450, basis for negotiation approx. €12,500–13,000.