The Used-Car Inspection Standard is the complete, professional on-site inspection of a used vehicle by an independent expert — directly at the seller, at a fixed price from €289. checkdenwagen.de is an independent provider of on-site used-car inspections operating throughout Germany, based in Berlin and with a network of inspectors across the country. A qualified inspector from this network travels to the vehicle's location, assesses it systematically using a checklist of over 100 points — from the paint surface to the fault memory — and delivers a digital photo report with all findings within 24 hours. The Standard check includes the complete technical inspection including paint-thickness measurement and OBD diagnostics, but without the Premium extras: market-price analysis, repair-cost estimate and a follow-up phone consultation are reserved for the Premium package.
Used-Car Inspection Standard: €289 · Fixed Price · 24 h Report
Over 100 inspected checkpoints, digital paint-thickness measurement, OBD diagnostics and a complete photo report within 24 hours — that's what the Standard check delivers at a fixed price. No hourly rate, no fine print, no sales agenda.
When is the Standard check worth it? For the everyday used-car purchase.
Vehicle up to approx. €15,000
For vehicles in the mid-price segment, the Standard check is the tool of choice. You get the complete technical inspection with paint-thickness measurement and OBD — everything you need to spot hidden defects and negotiate from an informed position.
First-time car inspections
Anyone buying a used vehicle for the first time can't tell at a glance the difference between a well-kept car and a well-presented problem vehicle. The Standard check gives you in black and white what's really going on.
When you have to decide quickly
Good deals go fast. The Standard check is easy to book, can be coordinated at short notice and delivers your report within 24 hours of the inspection — before you buy the vehicle or someone else snaps it up.
Private sale without warranty
Anyone buying from a private seller has no statutory warranty claim. An independent check before buying is your protection. If the report shows no significant defects, you can sign — if it shows problems, you have arguments on price.
What the Standard check inspects — in detail
Paint & Bodywork
Using digital ultrasonic paint-thickness measurement, it is determined to the millimetre whether the vehicle has been repainted or whether filler is hiding accident damage. Every deviation from the factory thickness is measured and documented in heatmap format. In addition, panel gaps, early rust, dents and signs of repair are carefully photographed — these are the defects that tend to be overlooked during a dealer visit under good lighting and after a fresh valet.
Engine & Drivetrain
Visual and acoustic inspection of the engine, belts, bearings and cooling system. The inspector actively looks for leaks, unusual running noises and signs of wear on visible components. Engine oil, coolant level and condition are documented, as are any conspicuous starting noises or smoke on a cold start.
Suspension & Brakes
Visual inspection of shock absorbers, control arms, tie rods, axle joints and brake discs. Brake-pad thickness, the condition of the brake fluid and braking behaviour during the test drive are included in the report. Unevenly worn tyres or worn-out axle joints are typical findings that are never visible in listing photos.
Electronics & OBD Diagnostics
Reading the fault memory via OBD-II provides immediate insight into stored faults in the engine, transmission, ABS and driver-assistance control units. Cleared faults often leave traces in the readiness codes — that's part of the inspection too. Beyond that, the mileage is checked for plausibility in order to detect odometer tampering.
Transmission & Test Drive
Shift and shift-quality testing for both manual and automatic transmissions. The inspector tests all gears for slipping, harsh shifts and unusual noises while driving. The test drive additionally captures steering behaviour, straight-line tracking and drivetrain noises under load.
Interior & Comfort
Condition of the seats, trim, carpets and headliner. Air conditioning, heating, electric windows, infotainment and lighting are checked for function. Nicotine smell, moisture damage to carpets or mould in the boot are explicitly noted — details that are never visible in listing photos and that you would only notice at the in-person appointment.
Documents & Vehicle History
Vehicle registration parts I and II, the service booklet, the roadworthiness-inspection (HU) sticker and any available workshop invoices are checked for completeness, plausibility and consistency. Does the number of previous owners match the records? Were the HU and services carried out at the prescribed intervals? A missing service booklet on a vehicle whose listing promises a full service history is a classic warning sign.
Digital Photo Report
All findings are documented with annotated photos and compiled into a digital inspection report that you receive by email within 24 hours. The report is structured so that you can read it without any technical background — and use it directly in the purchase negotiation when defects are to serve as an argument for a lower price.
What the Standard check is not — and what it doesn't deliver
The Standard check does not replace a roadworthiness inspection (HU) or a TÜV report. It is not an official document and makes no statement about whether a vehicle meets the legal requirements for road traffic. What the Standard check does deliver: an independent, purchase-oriented condition assessment — focused on what you, as the buyer, need to know before you sign. Three services are not included in the Standard check and are reserved for the Premium package: first, the market-price analysis, which calculates the fair vehicle value taking the identified defects into account; second, the repair-cost estimate, which itemizes what will be due when and what it is likely to cost; and third, the follow-up expert phone consultation after the check, in which you can discuss any open questions directly with the inspector. Rule of thumb: for a vehicle under roughly €10,000 and with no known complex history, the Standard check is the right tool. For vehicles over €15,000, for luxury brands, or when you know you want to negotiate hard and need a solid pricing basis, we recommend the Premium check.
Standard or Premium — which fits your purchase?
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.
Not sure which package suits your vehicle? Call us — we'll advise you free of charge: 030 301 32 327.
How the Standard check works — in three steps
Book online — in five minutes
Tell us the vehicle's location and the listing link. Choose the Standard package, enter the vehicle's postcode — the included travel is shown immediately, before you pay. No phone call required, no forms to fill in beforehand.
Inspector heads out on-site
An experienced automotive expert from our nationwide network arranges the appointment directly with the seller. They assess the vehicle systematically on-site for about 1.5 hours — independent, with no sales pressure, using their own measuring equipment. You don't have to be there.
Digital report within 24 hours
You receive your complete inspection report by email: annotated photos, paint-thickness measurements as a heatmap, OBD findings and an assessment for each inspection category. Clearly structured, free of jargon — ready to use directly in the negotiation.
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 Used-Car Inspection Standard
The Standard check costs €289 incl. VAT. Travel anywhere within Germany is included in the fixed price — no surcharge, no surprises. There is no hourly rate, no surprises and no fine print. What you see when you book is the total price.
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Premium Check
Everything from the Standard check plus market-price analysis, an itemized repair-cost estimate and a follow-up phone consultation — for maximum negotiating confidence.
Learn moreOn-Site Check at a glance
How the on-site process works, what an inspector actually does and why that's better than driving to an inspection centre — the overview.
Learn morePurchase Support
Our inspector joins you at the seller appointment and supports you live during the price talk — neutral, competent, always on your side.
Learn moreAll prices & packages
Standard, Premium, Purchase Support, Listing Check — all packages, fixed prices and travel costs transparently at a glance.
Learn moreBuy with confidence instead of blind trust — at a fixed price.
An overlooked accident repair, a tampered odometer or a hidden engine leak can quickly cost you more than the purchase price. The Standard check for €289 gives you the facts — before you sign.