A truck inspection is a professional, purchase-oriented on-site assessment of a used truck, tractor unit or heavy commercial vehicle by an independent automotive appraiser — right at the seller's or dealer's premises, with no interest in the sale. 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 whole country. Heavy trucks from 3.5 t operate under fundamentally different conditions than cars or light commercial vehicles: sustained load over 500,000 km and more, air brake systems fully worked every day, frame stress from thrust forces and changing payloads, complex exhaust after-treatment systems (AdBlue/SCR, Euro 3 to 6) and legally mandated tachograph and recording obligations. These are precisely the truck-specific stresses our inspection examines systematically: chassis and frame for cracks and corrosion, the air brake system for pressure loss and pad condition, engine and gearbox for sustained-load wear, axles and air suspension for damage, the body (box, tarpaulin, flatbed, refrigerated trailer) for damage and leak-tightness, and the tachograph and recorder for tamper-resistance and calibration status. The checklist comprises 100+ points; on-site the inspection usually takes longer than for a car, depending on vehicle class and body type. You receive the digital photo report with all findings by email within 24 hours.
Truck inspection before you buy: price on request · on-site
A used truck comes with mileages of 500,000 km and more — along with an operating history that no listing reveals. Our independent on-site inspection checks the air brake system, frame condition, tachograph, AdBlue/SCR and axle geometry with 100+ checkpoints, right at the seller's location. You receive the digital photo report within 24 hours. Price on request — we discuss volume rates for fleet operators directly.
What is a truck inspection — and why is it indispensable for heavy commercial vehicles?
The 9 critical weak points of used trucks
Engine and gearbox under sustained load
Truck engines regularly run 500,000 km and more — constantly under load, with long motorway stretches, heavy trailer weights and changing route profiles. What matters is not the mileage alone, but whether the valve clearance, turbocharger, injection system and cooling circuit have been properly maintained. Our OBD diagnostic check reads out all engine control units and checks oil pressure, coolant level and exhaust behaviour on the test drive.
Air brake system and brake pads
The air brake system is the most safety-critical system on a truck. Pressure loss while stationary, leaking hose connections, worn brake pads and blocked condensate drains are typical findings on used vehicles — and immediately dangerous in traffic. Our inspection measures the pressure build-up and checks all circuits for leak-tightness, hose condition and pad thickness.
Frame and chassis for cracks and corrosion
The load-bearing main frame of a truck is permanently exposed to thrust forces from changing payloads, gravel tracks and the trailer coupling. Frame cracks at cross members, frayed weld seams and widespread underbody corrosion often remain visually invisible and are masked by protective coatings or fresh underbody treatment. Our inspection includes an explicit visual check of the frame and chassis.
Body: box, tarpaulin, flatbed and refrigerated trailer
The body is a truck's working tool and is stressed accordingly: sagging flatbed side rails, leaking roof seams on box bodies, faulty refrigeration compressors on refrigerated trailers and worn-out tarpaulin tensioners are costly damages that go unmentioned in the listing. Our checklist records the body condition, leak-tightness and function of all body components.
AdBlue, SCR catalytic converter and Euro standard
Euro 5 and Euro 6 class trucks rely on urea injection (AdBlue/SCR). Faulty NOx sensors, tampered SCR systems or a failed catalytic converter lead to power reduction by the engine control unit — and to a driving ban in low-emission zones. Which Euro standard a vehicle actually meets cannot be derived from the year of manufacture alone. Our inspection checks the SCR condition, the fault memory and the registration documents for consistency.
Tyres and twin-tyre setups
On twin-tyre setups at the rear axle, truck tyres run with differing wear levels, which can lead to blowouts and axle problems. DOT age, tread depth, sidewall cracks and tyre pressure are checked. Especially on vehicles with an irregular maintenance history, the outer tyres look inconspicuous while the inner tyres already show critical wear.
Tachograph and driving-time system
Digital and analogue tachographs are subject to a statutory calibration requirement every two years. An expired or tampered tachograph means registration problems and the risk of fines for the new operator. Our inspection checks the inspection-sticker date, the condition of the sealing and the consistency of the recorder data with the documented mileage readings.
Axles, air suspension and steering
Heavy trucks with air suspension on the drive axle or leading axle show asymmetric driving behaviour when there is air loss, faulty bellows or failed height sensors — barely noticeable on long motorway stretches. Worn-out steering idler arms, worn tie-rod ends and misaligned axles increase tyre wear dramatically. The test drive and a visual inspection of all axle joints are therefore a fixed part of the truck inspection.
Clutch, retarder and fifth-wheel coupling
On tractor units, the condition of the fifth-wheel coupling is safety-relevant: wear on the locking mechanism, faulty locking or cracks in the coupling plate are findings that can only be detected with a proper test drive under load or a visual inspection. The retarder and continuous braking system are checked for function and oil leaks; the clutch and gear shifting are assessed on the test drive under load.
Have your dream car inspected on-site
No-obligation enquiry, tailored quote — straight from the inspector on-site.
What the truck inspection checks — the full scope
100+ checkpoints — truck-specific
The checklist covers all safety- and value-relevant components of a heavy commercial vehicle: engine, gearbox and drivetrain, air brake system, chassis and frame, axles and air suspension, body, electrics and lighting, tachograph and documents. No point is skipped, no finding is glossed over.
OBD diagnostics and fault memory readout
All vehicle control units — engine, gearbox, ABS/EBS, AdBlue/SCR, driver assistance systems and chassis CAN — are read out via diagnostics. Cleared fault codes leave traces in the readiness flags; this too is detected and documented in the report. For vehicles with multiple control units (body control, refrigeration compressor) the scope is adjusted accordingly.
Frame, underbody and air-pressure inspection
The frame side rails, cross members and coupling are visually inspected for cracks, deformation and corrosion. The air brake system is examined for pressure build-up, pressure loss while stationary, hose condition and brake pad thickness. Leaking brake hoses and faulty condensate drains are explicitly recorded.
Test drive and driving behaviour under load
The test drive assesses shifting behaviour and clutch condition, steering tracking, braking effect and drivetrain noises. For tractor units, a test with a trailer or semi-trailer is carried out where possible. The retarder and continuous braking system are tested on the road.
Tachograph, registration and vehicle history
The tachograph calibration date, sealing, registration certificate and operating licence are checked. Mileage plausibility and the number of previous owners are cross-checked against the service records. The Euro-standard certification and low-emission-zone eligibility are verified against the registration documents.
Digital photo report within 24 hours
All findings are documented with annotated photos and delivered by email within 24 hours — clearly structured, free of jargon, ready to use as a basis for your purchase decision or for negotiating the price with the seller or dealer.
Choose your package for a reliable used-car inspection
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.
What the truck inspection is not — a clear demarcation
The truck inspection from checkdenwagen.de is an independent, purchase-oriented condition assessment — not an official appraisal, not a roadworthiness test (HU) and not a TÜV certificate. It makes no statement about whether a vehicle meets the legal requirements for road traffic, and it replaces neither an HU inspection nor a UVV inspection under DGUV Regulation 70 for commercially operated vehicles. Fleet operators and fleet managers who take a vehicle into operational service and thereby carry UVV obligations need, in addition to the inspection, a corresponding DGUV expert inspection. This is not part of our service scope. Also not included: no official appraiser's report for insurance or accounting purposes. Repair-cost estimates and market-price analysis are optional add-on services that can be discussed on request. If you need a documented basis for intensive price negotiations or commercial vehicle valuations, it's best to contact us directly — by phone (030 301 32 327) or via the contact form.
How your truck inspection works
Make an enquiry — free and with no obligation
Send us the listing link or the vehicle location (postcode), the body type and your contact details. For fleet purchasing or a recurring need for several vehicles, we'll quote you individual volume rates. No form marathon: a short enquiry is enough.
The inspector travels to the vehicle or company location
An experienced automotive appraiser from our network arranges the appointment directly with the seller or dealer. The inspection takes place on-site — on the company premises, at the dealer or at the private seller's location. For trucks, the on-site duration can vary depending on body type and vehicle size. You don't need to be present in person.
Digital report within 24 hours
You receive the full inspection report by email: annotated photos, OBD findings, frame and body condition, air-brake protocol, tachograph status and document check — clearly structured, free of jargon. Ready to use for your purchase decision or price 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
Truck inspection in Berlin and throughout Germany
Frequently asked questions about the truck used-car inspection
The price is quoted on request, as truck inspections are calculated individually depending on vehicle class, body type, location and scope. For fleet operators and fleet managers who regularly buy or have vehicles assessed, we discuss volume rates directly and transparently. Give us a call (030 301 32 327) or send a quick enquiry — we'll get back to you without detours.
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From cars to motorhomes — checkdenwagen inspects every type with a vehicle-specific checklist. An overview of all variants.
Learn moreUsed-car inspection — overview
All inspection variants, service scopes and processes at a glance — for private customers, fleet operators and businesses.
Learn morePrices and terms
Price on request — volume rates for fleet operators and fleet purchasing are discussed directly and transparently.
Learn moreBuy a truck with confidence — independently inspected, assessed on-site.
Frame, air brakes, tachograph, AdBlue: whatever the listing leaves out, our truck inspection reveals. Volume rates for fleet operators on request. Tel. 030 301 32 327.