You send us the listing link — whether mobile.de, autoscout24, Kleinanzeigen or another German portal. Within a few hours one of our car experts calls the seller and works through a systematic checklist: questions about previous owners, servicing, defects, damage and room to negotiate. You receive a written assessment with a clear recommendation — on-site check worthwhile or not — including specific negotiation points for the appointment. checkdenwagen.de is an independent provider of on-site used-car inspections operating across Germany, based in Berlin with a network of inspectors throughout the country. The listing check is our online first step at a flat rate of €49: it does not replace a physical inspection of the vehicle, but it gives you a well-founded first assessment — so you read listings with an open eye instead of relying on the seller's promises.
Listing Check: We vet the listing — before you set off
You send us the listing link. Within a few hours one of our car experts calls the seller and works through a systematic checklist — previous owners, servicing, defects, damage, room to negotiate. You receive a written assessment with a clear recommendation. Flat rate €49.
What gets checked during the phone interview A systematic checklist instead of gut feeling.
Previous-owner questioning
How many owners? What was repaired? Were there any accidents? Is the service history complete? Our expert asks in a structured way and listens between the lines — typical evasion patterns or contradictions stand out immediately on the phone.
Document plausibility
Do the details in the listing match the available paperwork? Will the service book, invoices and registration certificate be provided on request? Anyone unwilling to show documents usually has a reason.
Spotting warning signs
Seller evasive or annoyed? Pressure for a quick decision? Suspiciously low price? A deposit demanded before viewing? Our experts know the typical patterns from hundreds of conversations — and name them for you.
Written assessment with recommendation
You get a written summary of the conversation with all the answers, anything notable and a clear verdict: on-site check worthwhile or walk away. Including specific negotiation points for the appointment.
What we check in the listing.
Price plausibility & market comparison
We compare the asking price against current market data for comparable vehicles — same type, year, mileage, trim level. If the price is well below or above the market average, we explain what that could mean. Not an automated database match from a computer, but an informed assessment.
Photo analysis for red flags
Photos rarely show vehicles neutrally: shooting angles, crops and lighting can be used deliberately to disguise scratches, dents or paint damage. We analyse all listing images systematically — and point out what we see and what is missing.
Listing text for warning signs
Typical phrasing in the listing text hints at hidden problems: passages like 'sold as seen', 'no TÜV', missing details about the roadworthiness test (HU), or vague statements about accident-free history. We read the text with the eye of an experienced inspector.
Public vehicle data & completeness
Do the year, engine, mileage and stated equipment add up? Are the figures on the number of previous owners or the roadworthiness test (HU) plausible and complete? We check whether the listing contains the minimum details that should be a matter of course in a reputable offer.
Seller assessment
Commercial dealer or private individual? Are several vehicles being listed at the same time? Does the seller have a credible track record? We help you understand who you're likely dealing with — no speculation, but experience drawn from many inspection cases.
Recommended next steps
In the end you get a clear assessment: which points should you raise on first contact? Does the impression so far justify a viewing? And does a full on-site check make sense — or are there warning signs that already speak against this vehicle?
What the listing check does not do.
The listing check is an online analysis based on publicly available information. It does not replace a physical on-site check of the vehicle — and it isn't meant to. We don't inspect engine control units, run no OBD diagnostics and measure no paint-layer thicknesses. We don't examine the vehicle in person, don't check any original documents and cannot make a reliable statement about its technical condition. What we can do: name listing red flags, assess price plausibility and give you a reasoned recommendation on whether a viewing is worthwhile — and what to expect during the on-site conversation. Anyone convinced after the listing check has the vehicle examined with an on-site check by our inspector network. The two services complement each other — the listing check saves unnecessary trips, the on-site check gives you the solid basis for your decision.
Four steps to a clear recommendation.
Submit the listing link
You send us the link to the listing — mobile.de, autoscout24, Kleinanzeigen or another German portal. Optional: what makes you uneasy about the offer and what we should pay particular attention to.
The car expert calls the seller
Within a few hours one of our car experts calls the seller and works through the checklist systematically: previous owners, servicing, defects, damage, paperwork, room to negotiate.
Written assessment by email
You receive a summary of the conversation with all the answers, identified warning signs and a clear recommendation: on-site check worthwhile or walk away — plus specific negotiation points.
Optional: on-site check as the next step
If our assessment gives the green light and you want to buy the vehicle, we coordinate the full on-site check directly — an inspector from our Germany-wide network drives out to the seller.
What our customers say
“I had my 5 Series inspected before buying — the report was very detailed and made my purchase decision so much easier.”
Emre E.
Berlin
“When the vehicle wasn't available for the viewing after all, the refund was completely hassle-free. Very fair and transparent.”
Bartosz K.
Hamburg
“The Premium package gave me a clear overview of the expected repair and maintenance costs. Exactly what I needed.”
Amir O.
Munich
“Excellent knowledge of the German car market, the dealer landscape and price ranges. Highly recommended.”
Denis B.
Cologne
Frequently asked questions about the listing check
Yes. We check listings from all the common German portals — mobile.de, autoscout24, Kleinanzeigen (formerly eBay Kleinanzeigen) and others. Just send us the link to the listing. Private sellers on Kleinanzeigen are often especially interesting for our analysis, because listing standards there are less consistent than with commercial dealers.
Next steps after the listing check The beginning, not the end.
Used-car inspection
The full overview: what checkdenwagen checks, how an inspection order works, what it costs — all on the overview page.
Learn moreOn-site used-car inspection
The listing passed — now comes the inspector. Over 100 inspection points, paint-layer thickness measurement, OBD diagnostics and a digital report. Our inspector drives out to the seller, you don't have to be there.
Learn morePurchase support
Don't want to negotiate alone at the viewing? Our inspector accompanies you directly on site — as an independent expert on your side.
Learn morePricing & packages
All package contents and flat-rate prices for the on-site check broken down transparently — travel included, no hidden costs.
Learn moreHave the listing checked — before you set off.
€49 flat rate: our car expert calls the seller, works through the checklist and gives you a written recommendation. And if you then need an on-site check, we're there for that too.