An on-site used-car inspection is a professional vehicle assessment carried out by an independent expert — directly at the seller's, not at a test centre. checkdenwagen.de is an independent provider of on-site used-car inspections operating throughout Germany, based in Berlin with a network of inspectors across the country. The principle is remarkably simple: you tell us the vehicle's location and the listing, our inspector arranges the viewing appointment with the seller and assesses the vehicle for around 1.5 hours — based on a standardised checklist of over 100 points. You don't need to be there. Within 24 hours of the inspection, you receive a complete digital report: photos, measured values, findings by category and a clear assessment of the vehicle's condition. The decisive difference compared with a test centre like DEKRA or TÜV: you don't take the vehicle anywhere — we come to the vehicle. That saves you time, protects you from the seller sprucing the vehicle up beforehand, and works even when the seller is out in the countryside or in another city. For buyers who don't have time for their own viewing appointment, or who only want to inspect the vehicle in person once an inspection report is available, the on-site check is the logical solution.
On-Site Used-Car Inspection: We Come to the Seller
You've found a vehicle — we send an independent inspector directly to the seller. Whether it's a car dealer in Munich or a private seller out in the countryside: you give us the address, we coordinate everything else. Over 100 checkpoints, a digital report within 24 hours, fixed price €289 incl. VAT.
When is the on-site inspection ideal? The on-site inspection is made for exactly these situations.
The vehicle is far away
The listing looks good, but the seller is 300 kilometres away. Instead of driving there yourself and buying blind, you send our inspector — and only decide after the report whether the trip is worth it.
You don't have time for appointments
Work, family, everyday life — fitting in yet another appointment at the seller's just isn't on right now. No problem: our inspector arranges the viewing appointment directly with the seller. You don't have to be present.
Private seller with no warranty
Private sellers are not liable for hidden defects they know about but conceal. Without a neutral check, you're buying based on listing photos and the seller's promises. With our report, you have facts in hand.
Suspected accident damage or odometer fraud
Repainted areas, uneven panel gaps, an implausibly low mileage — such signs are barely recognisable in photos. Our on-site paint-layer thickness measurement and OBD diagnostics uncover exactly this.
High-priced vehicle over €10,000
The more expensive the vehicle, the more is at stake. An overlooked engine fault or concealed accident damage can cost several thousand euros — far more than the price of the inspection.
Dealer without a TÜV report
Some dealers sell vehicles without a current roadworthiness test. That's legal, but it's a risk. Our inspector assesses the technical condition independently — without sales pressure, without sugar-coating.
What does our expert check on site?
Paint & bodywork
Digital paint-layer thickness measurement on all relevant body parts. Repainting, body filler over accident damage and cavity rust are made measurable — not just visually inspected. All deviations are documented photographically.
Engine & drivetrain
Visual and acoustic inspection of the engine, belts, bearings and cooling system. Leaks, unusual running noises and signs of wear on the drivetrain are recorded — including an assessment of what might become due and when.
Suspension, steering & brakes
Visual inspection of shock absorbers, tie rods, axle joints and brake discs, including brake-pad thickness. Brake fluid and braking behaviour during the test drive feed into the report.
Electronics & OBD diagnostics
Reading the fault memory via OBD-II: stored faults in the engine, transmission and driver-assistance control units become visible. Plausibility check of the mileage — a reliable indicator of odometer tampering.
Interior & equipment
Condition of seats, trim panels, carpets and headliner. Air conditioning, heating, power windows, infotainment and lighting checked for function. Moisture damage and cigarette odour are explicitly noted.
Documents & vehicle history
Vehicle registration documents I and II, service booklet, HU records and any available invoices checked for completeness and plausibility. Is the number of previous owners correct? Were service intervals adhered to?
Test drive
At least 15 minutes of test driving in town and on country roads. Shift quality, steering, brake-pedal feel, gear transitions and all driver-assistance systems are evaluated under real driving conditions.
Inspection directly at the seller
No detour to a test centre, no appointment the buyer has to coordinate themselves. Our inspector comes to the vehicle — to the dealer's lot, to the private address, to the car park. Anywhere in Germany.
What the check is not — and what TÜV & DEKRA do better
The on-site used-car inspection from checkdenwagen.de is a purchase-supporting vehicle assessment — not a statutory appraisal and not a substitute for the roadworthiness test (HU) or emissions test (AU). It does not entitle the vehicle to a new TÜV badge and is not an officially recognised vehicle appraisal in the sense of the expert-witness system. For vehicles requiring a court-admissible damage assessment — for example for insurance claims or compensation claims after an accident — a publicly appointed and sworn automotive expert is the right point of contact. What we provide instead: a neutral, detailed assessment of the technical condition and (in the Premium package) the market value of a used car before purchase — clearly worded, with photographic evidence, and free of any dealer's interest in selling. DEKRA and TÜV test centres are not set up for exactly this task: they issue HU test badges, but no purchase-oriented condition report with a market-price valuation.
Standard or Premium — which fits your purchase decision?
Standard Check
Travel included
- Certified experts
- Engine check
- Transmission check
- OBD fault readout
- Brake inspection
- Paint thickness measurement
- Accident check
- Visual bodywork inspection
- Tire tread check
- Visual interior inspection
- Electronics function test
- Vehicle document check
- Photo documentation
- Seller rating
- Market price assessment
- Vehicle price comparison
- Repair cost estimate
- VIN lookup
Premium Check
Travel included
- Certified experts
- Engine check
- Transmission check
- OBD fault readout
- Brake inspection
- Paint thickness measurement
- Accident check
- Visual bodywork inspection
- Tire tread check
- Visual interior inspection
- Electronics function test
- Vehicle document check
- Photo documentation
- Seller rating
- Market price assessment
- Vehicle price comparison
- Repair cost estimate
- VIN lookup
- Everything in Standard plus market value, repair cost estimate, seller rating & VIN lookup.
Unsure which package fits? Give us a call — we'll advise you free of charge: 030 301 32 327.
How we come to your vehicle — in three steps
Provide vehicle and location
Book online and tell us the vehicle's location (postcode/address), the listing link and your desired scope of inspection. Just a few minutes — and we know where the vehicle is. Travel is included in the fixed price — no hidden costs.
We coordinate — you get on with your day
Our inspector contacts the seller and arranges a viewing appointment — at short notice and without any effort on your part. You don't have to be present, you don't have to explain anything. The inspector assesses the vehicle for around 1.5 hours directly on site: at the dealer, at the private seller, on the business premises — wherever the vehicle is.
Report in 24 hours — ready for negotiation
Within 24 hours of the inspection, you receive your complete digital report by email: all inspection categories with findings, photos and measured values. The Premium check also includes a market-price analysis with a concrete basis for negotiation. From then on, you decide — with facts instead of gut feeling.
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
Questions about the on-site inspection — travel, appointment, process
No — and that's exactly the point of the service. Our inspector arranges the appointment directly with the seller. You don't have to be present or coordinate anything with the seller. As soon as the check is complete, you receive the report by email — wherever you happen to be.
You might also like More services from checkdenwagen.de
Standard check
Your entry point into the independent used-car inspection — over 100 checkpoints, fixed price €289, report within 24 h. Ideal for vehicles up to €10,000.
Learn morePremium check
Everything from the Standard check plus a market-price analysis, repair-cost estimate and telephone expert consultation. The strongest basis for price negotiations.
Learn morePurchase support
Our inspector accompanies you in person to the sales meeting — assesses the vehicle live and supports you with facts during the price negotiation.
Learn moreLocations
All the cities and regions where our inspector network is active — with information on travel and local specifics.
Learn moreWe make the trip — you decide afterwards.
No travel on your part, no coordinating with the seller, no technical knowledge required. Fixed price €289 incl. VAT & travel. If the viewing falls through, you get a full refund — within 5 business days.