When is the inspection carried out — before or after the purchase?

Before the purchase. The point of the check is that you can walk away from an option without losing anything: if it does not suit, we source the next one, and the deposit is returned in full up to the moment of purchase.

Can I order only the inspection, without buying through you?

Yes, the viewing and the check are available as a separate service if you have found a car yourself. Tell us where the car is and your manager will say whether we can inspect it and what it will cost.

What if the check turns up problems?

We say so plainly and with the facts: photos, measurements, history. What follows is your decision — negotiate, walk away or buy with the repair in mind. Our job is for you to decide knowing everything, not to learn the truth after delivery.

How far can the report be trusted?

The report is photos, video and measurements, not our opinion. You see the same frames our expert saw at the yard and can show them to your own mechanic before any money is spent.

On-site car inspection

We make checking a car as transparent and as clear as it can be. This page shows what our photo report template looks like in practice and how the inspection itself goes — from the call to the seller to the finished inspection report in your hands.

Complete transparency

You see the car exactly as the expert sees it on the forecourt — from the same angles and in the same detail.

Without you having to be there

No flights and no weekends spent on viewings. While the expert works, you get on with your family and your own affairs.

Order an inspection Calculate the turnkey price of a car

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Over 11 000 listings from eight markets. Filter by the turnkey price, not the price abroad — so the comparison is honest.

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How our inspection is built

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A structured photo report

Every significant detail is photographed: the body panel by panel, the interior, the engine bay, the wheels and tyres, the VIN plates, the numbers of the major assemblies and the serial numbers of the units. The photographs always come in the same order, so reports can be compared with one another and the best of several cars picked out.

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A checklist inspection

The expert does not look the car over by eye — he works through a single checklist of more than 150 items: body geometry and condition, the paintwork, the interior and its wear, the mechanical assemblies and every system that affects safety.

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Documented findings

The expert adds a comment to every item: what exactly was found, whether it is critical and how it will affect use. You will not have to decipher technical terms or guess what a mark in the table means.

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Transparency for the client

The finished report with photographs reaches you immediately after the inspection — in full, without a selection of the “best” shots. You take your decision on the same data as our expert.

Find me a car within my budget

Leave your contacts — a manager will get in touch.

Brands we import to order. Trademarks belong to their respective owners.

Contact Report — what happens before the visit

The work begins not with the inspection but with a phone call. Many cars are ruled out at this stage already — and you do not pay for a visit to a car that plainly does not suit you.

What we establish with the seller

Owner — who the owner is on the documents and how many owners there have been
Where it was serviced — at a main dealer or at an independent garage
Body — whether panels have been resprayed and whether any were replaced after an impact
What comes with it — the second set of keys and the original service book
Reason for sale — and whether the seller will allow a check by an independent expert

What the first VIN check gives

Decoding the number — the 17 characters encode the plant, the year of manufacture, the body type and the engine
Checking the specification — the one claimed against the factory one — a base version will not be passed off as a top one
First registration — in which country and when the car was first put on the register
Restrictions — a pledge, a loan, a lease, a ban on registration

A download from the dealer database: warranties and service history

The source data we obtain by VIN before the expert even travels out.

Identification of the car by VIN and warranty data — Identification by VIN: model, order type, model year. Below — every warranty: the factory one, the paintwork one and the extended ones, with their validity dates.

The history of service visits over recent years — The visit history: date of visit, dealer, mileage and order number. It shows whether the car was serviced by main dealers or not.

Service campaigns and repair work — For every visit — what exactly was done: a recall campaign, a repair or a service, with the assembly and the reported symptom named.

Recall campaigns: completed and outstanding — The status of the campaigns: “completed” or “not completed”. Outstanding recalls are grounds for haggling and a source of future expense.

Warranty repairs with a description of the faults — Repairs with the owner’s complaint as it was worded: the assemblies replaced, repeat visits about one and the same problem.

The first mileage records from the sale of the car onwards — The history goes back to the first records — from 4 700 km. The mileage builds into a chain year by year, and a rollback becomes obvious.

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The seller’s answers and the results of the first check are brought together into a document called Contact Report — and you receive it before the expert travels out. If the car was serviced by a main dealer, a download from the marque’s closed database is added to it: the service department enters every customer visit there. No paid checking website shows data like this — only dealers and their partners have access.

What the dealer download shows

The list of factory options — which suspension, seats and multimedia were fitted originally
Every visit to the service department — the date, the mileage on that day and the name of the garage
What was repaired — the numbers of the parts replaced and how long the work took
The owner’s own words — how he himself described the fault when he came in
The note “came back again” — meaning the problem was not put right the first time
Factory modifications — whether the service department carried them out or whether they are still outstanding
Warranties — on the car, on the body and the extended ones — with their expiry dates

The mileage recorded by the service department at each visit builds into a chain year by year. If the odometer has been wound back, the chain breaks — and that is visible at once.

The full report from the manufacturer’s database — 29 pages

From the identity page and the factory specification through to every visit to the service department.

The report from the manufacturer’s database, page 1 of 29 — The identity page of the car: model, colour, power output and the warranty start date.

The report from the manufacturer’s database, page 2 of 29 — The service contracts in force and the version of the navigation maps.

The report from the manufacturer’s database, page 3 of 29 — Factory data: body type, model generation, sales market.

The report from the manufacturer’s database, page 4 of 29 — Identification codes and the year of manufacture according to the factory documents.

The report from the manufacturer’s database, page 5 of 29 — The list of options the car came off the production line with.

The report from the manufacturer’s database, page 6 of 29 — Visits to the service department: date, mileage and what was done. Spread 1 of 24.

The report from the manufacturer’s database, page 7 of 29 — Visits to the service department: date, mileage and what was done. Spread 2 of 24.

The report from the manufacturer’s database, page 8 of 29 — Visits to the service department: date, mileage and what was done. Spread 3 of 24.

The report from the manufacturer’s database, page 9 of 29 — Visits to the service department: date, mileage and what was done. Spread 4 of 24.

The report from the manufacturer’s database, page 10 of 29 — Visits to the service department: date, mileage and what was done. Spread 5 of 24.

The report from the manufacturer’s database, page 11 of 29 — Visits to the service department: date, mileage and what was done. Spread 6 of 24.

The report from the manufacturer’s database, page 12 of 29 — Visits to the service department: date, mileage and what was done. Spread 7 of 24.

The report from the manufacturer’s database, page 13 of 29 — Visits to the service department: date, mileage and what was done. Spread 8 of 24.

The report from the manufacturer’s database, page 14 of 29 — Visits to the service department: date, mileage and what was done. Spread 9 of 24.

The report from the manufacturer’s database, page 15 of 29 — Visits to the service department: date, mileage and what was done. Spread 10 of 24.

The report from the manufacturer’s database, page 16 of 29 — Visits to the service department: date, mileage and what was done. Spread 11 of 24.

The report from the manufacturer’s database, page 17 of 29 — Visits to the service department: date, mileage and what was done. Spread 12 of 24.

The report from the manufacturer’s database, page 18 of 29 — Visits to the service department: date, mileage and what was done. Spread 13 of 24.

The report from the manufacturer’s database, page 19 of 29 — Visits to the service department: date, mileage and what was done. Spread 14 of 24.

The report from the manufacturer’s database, page 20 of 29 — Visits to the service department: date, mileage and what was done. Spread 15 of 24.

The report from the manufacturer’s database, page 21 of 29 — Visits to the service department: date, mileage and what was done. Spread 16 of 24.

The report from the manufacturer’s database, page 22 of 29 — Visits to the service department: date, mileage and what was done. Spread 17 of 24.

The report from the manufacturer’s database, page 23 of 29 — Visits to the service department: date, mileage and what was done. Spread 18 of 24.

The report from the manufacturer’s database, page 24 of 29 — Visits to the service department: date, mileage and what was done. Spread 19 of 24.

The report from the manufacturer’s database, page 25 of 29 — Visits to the service department: date, mileage and what was done. Spread 20 of 24.

The report from the manufacturer’s database, page 26 of 29 — Visits to the service department: date, mileage and what was done. Spread 21 of 24.

The report from the manufacturer’s database, page 27 of 29 — Visits to the service department: date, mileage and what was done. Spread 22 of 24.

The report from the manufacturer’s database, page 28 of 29 — Visits to the service department: date, mileage and what was done. Spread 23 of 24.

The report from the manufacturer’s database, page 29 of 29 — Visits to the service department: date, mileage and what was done. Spread 24 of 24.

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The dealer sees only what happened in its own service department. Everything else — accidents, insurance claims, sales, moves between countries — is gathered by a third report: it checks more than a thousand sources in 48 countries.

What this report shows

Theft — a check against the police databases of several countries at once
Accidents — which parts were damaged, the impact diagram and what the repair cost
Write-off — whether an insurer declared the car beyond repair, whether it has been in a fire or under water
Odometer readings — from insurers and from sales platforms — independently of the service department
Documents — whether it passed its roadworthiness test, whether it was insured, whether it has been scrapped
Fair price — what cars just like it cost and where the price is heading next
Crash test — the safety rating of the model from independent tests
Event timeline — from the first sale to every new advertisement and change of country

This is critical for cars from Europe and the USA that have changed several countries. A record of a serious accident in one country is often lost when the car is registered in another — and in the advertisement the car looks perfect.

The vehicle history report by VIN

A check against the databases of 48 countries: theft, mileage, damage, Title, price, timeline.

The summary of the vehicle history report — The report summary: for every area the status is visible at once — “no problems found” or “attention”. Here a possible mileage rollback, two damage records and a Salvage status are flagged.

Archive photographs of the car and a theft check — Archive photographs of the car from the databases — including shots taken after an accident that are not in the advertisement. Below — a check against the police theft databases.

A mileage graph with a possible rollback marked — The mileage graph year by year compared with what is typical for this model. Dips and flat “standstills” on the graph are a sign of a wound-back odometer.

A check of the legal status and the Title — Legal status and special markers: Salvage, Junk, Fire, Flood, Hail, Lemon. A Salvage status means the car was written off after serious damage.

Damage records with an estimate of the repair cost — Damage records: which parts were affected, the impact diagram and an estimate of the cost of past repairs — in this example 22 501 – 25 000 €.

An analysis of the market price of the car — Market price: the minimum, the maximum and the average for comparable cars plus a forecast of how the value will fall. It shows whether the seller’s price is reasonable.

CO2 emissions and factory specifications — CO₂ emissions and the factory specification: engine, power output, gearbox, drivetrain, emissions class. We check them against what the seller has claimed.

Factory equipment and the safety rating — The factory specification by option codes and the Euro NCAP safety rating broken down by category.

The timeline of events for the car — The timeline: first registration, damage, listings for sale, roadworthiness tests, insurance policies and changes of country. The whole life of the car on one ribbon.

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Three independent sources — and all of it before the expert travels out

The seller’s words

What he tells us himself — which we then check against the documents and the inspection.

The manufacturer’s database

What the official service department recorded over the whole life of the car.

The international databases

What happened to the car away from the service department: accidents, insurance, sales.

If the data from the three sources do not agree, that alone is reason to be wary and to look into it before the money goes to the seller.

Examples of real downloads. Data by which the car and its owner could be identified have been hidden.

What you receive from an on-site inspection

The vehicle inspection report

The main document produced by the inspection. Every assembly is checked under its own section and gets a mark: green — all in order, red — there is a remark. No general phrases such as “condition good”.

The sections of the report

Documents — a cross-check of the body number, the registration and the owners
Paint — every panel separately: factory paintwork or a respray
Body and glass — signs of dismantling, the markings on the glass and headlights against the year of manufacture
Running gear — tyres, suspension, play, the remaining life of the discs and pads as a percentage
Engine and interior — leaks, oil level, interior wear, the climate control at work
Electronics — faults before and after clearing, a mileage cross-check across the control units
Test drive — acceleration, braking, the gearbox under load, noises

The report is bilingual — in the language of the country of inspection and in Russian: both the buyer and the seller abroad can read it. At the end come the expert’s conclusion and a direct recommendation: take it or keep looking.

The title page of the vehicle inspection report — The first page: a photograph of the car, the data from the documents and a summary across five areas — safety, systems at work, condition, cleanliness, comfort.

The document check and the start of the paintwork section — Documents: a cross-check of the body number, the registration certificate and the owners. It is noted here as well that the seller did not produce the original documents.

The paint check on every body panel — Every panel on its own line: doors, sills, wings, boot lid, bumpers. For each one — factory paint or a respray.

Body, glass, headlights and wheels — Body: signs of dismantling and the condition of the bolts. Glass and headlights are checked by their markings against the year of manufacture — that is how a replacement after an impact shows up.

Tyres, suspension and the braking system — Tyres and pressures, dampers, ball joints and bushes, play. The remaining life of the brake discs — as a percentage for each wheel.

Brake pads, the engine bay and the interior — The remaining life of the pads for each wheel. The engine bay: the engine running, fluid leaks, oil level. Then the interior and the climate control.

Multimedia, driver assistance systems and the boot — Multimedia, cameras, trip computer, driver assistance systems. Even the presence of the first aid kit and the warning triangle is checked.

The battery and the computer diagnostics: faults before and after clearing, a mileage cross-check across the control units, engine, injector and gearbox parameters.

The condition of the engine and the results of the test drive — The test drive: acceleration, braking, the gearbox under load, jerks and unfamiliar noises. If we were not allowed to drive the car, that is recorded too.

The conclusion drawn from the inspection — The conclusion: general condition, the defects found, signs of repair, how the electronics work and whether further money will have to be spent.

The expert’s overall verdict and recommendation — The overall verdict in plain words and the expert’s direct recommendation: we do or do not recommend the purchase.

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The paintwork thickness measurement report

A paint gauge takes readings at several points on every panel. Factory paintwork usually falls within 90–160 µm — a noticeable excess points to a respray or to filler under the paint.

What is in the report

The outside of the body — wings, doors, pillars — the minimum, the maximum and the average for each panel
Bonnet, roof, boot lid — the horizontal panels that hail hits most often
Door apertures — the factory paint there is never touched — it is the benchmark for comparison
The engine bay and the boot — traces of repair are hidden exactly where they are not seen at once
Graphs for every point — any spike in thickness can be seen at a glance
A comparison of the sides — the “difference” row highlights where the left and the right diverge
Tyres — manufacturer, season, size and remaining tread for each wheel

The report reveals what the eye cannot see: local touch-ups, replaced panels and hidden bodywork repairs — even when the seller describes the car as “never painted”.

The title page of the paintwork thickness measurement report — The title page of the report: marque and model, the date of the measurements, the serial number of the instrument and the unit of measurement — micrometres.

The vehicle data in the paintwork report — Vehicle data: body type, marque, model, power output, fuel type, year of manufacture and body number.

Measurements on the outer body panels — The outside of the body, side by side: wings, doors, pillars. For every panel — the minimum, the maximum, the average and up to seven measurement points.

Measurements of the bonnet, roof and boot lid — Bonnet, roof and boot lid. The legend below: factory paint, a second layer, thin and thick filler — each with its own colour.

Measurements in the door apertures — Measurements inside the door apertures. The factory paint here has not been changed, so the apertures are the benchmark for comparison with the outer panels.

Measurements in the engine bay and the boot — The engine bay and the boot compartment: traces of repair most often remain exactly where they cannot be seen in a quick look round.

Measurement graphs and tyre data — Graphs for every point: any spike is immediately visible. Below — the tyres: manufacturer, season, size and remaining tread for each wheel.

A comparison of the measurements on the left and right sides — A comparison of the left and the right side: the “difference” row shows where the sides diverge. A deviation is highlighted in red — there was a repair there.

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The VIN and mileage check

The body number and the mileage are stored not only in the instrument cluster — they are written into a dozen electronic control units. The scanner reads them all and compares them with one another, with the plates on the body and with the documents.

What the report shows

How many units were checked — and in how many of them discrepancies were found
The VIN in every unit — airbags, ignition lock, gearbox, engine, instrument cluster
The mileage in every unit — the values must match down to the kilometre
Replaced electronics — a foreign VIN in a unit means it was taken off another car
Photographic record — shots of the car taken where the scanner was connected

A rollback almost always leaves traces: the odometer is altered, the memory of the control units is not. A discrepancy of even a couple of kilometres means interference.

A summary of the VIN and mileage check across the control units — The summary: marque, model, year, the odometer reading and the main result — how many units were checked and in how many discrepancies were found. Here 13 units and 0 discrepancies.

The VIN and mileage read out of every control unit — What is written in every unit: airbags, ignition lock, gearbox, instrument cluster. Beside the VIN — the mileage stored in that unit.

The continuation of the list of control units — The continuation: steering column, engine, power steering, charging unit. A matching VIN in every unit means the electronics have not been changed.

Photographs of the car attached to the report — Photographs of the car taken where the check was carried out are attached to the report — proof that it was this very car that was scanned.

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Computer diagnostics

The scanner is connected to the diagnostic socket and interrogates every electronic system in the car — 42 of them in this example. The result comes as a separate report, not as a spoken opinion.

What is in the report

Every system listed — each with a mark: no remarks, or faults found
Code and explanation — what exactly is faulty, explained in words rather than as a code
Fault status — a permanent fault or a one-off glitch
Repair priority — it is clear what to fix at once and what can wait
Hidden small things — open circuits in the door handles, remarks about the climate control and the headlights

We look separately at whether the faults were cleared before the viewing: an empty memory in a car with mileage behind it is suspicious in itself. In this example an apparently sound car produced 34 fault codes — and every one of them is an argument for haggling.

The scanner report: the list of the car systems that were scanned — The vehicle data, the mileage and the scanner model, and then every system listed. A green mark means there are no remarks, a red one — and beside it the number of faults found.

The continuation of the list of scanned systems — Everything is interrogated, down to the adjustment of each seat and the headlight bulbs. In this example there are remarks about the climate control, the headlights and the tracking system.

Fault codes with descriptions in Russian — Every fault is explained in Russian: oxygen sensor, no communication with the control unit, seat belt pretensioner. Beside it the status — permanent or one-off.

The continuation of the list of fault codes — The continuation of the list. Descriptions like these show what will have to be repaired at once and what can wait.

The end of the list of fault codes — The end of the list: open circuits in the door handles, remarks about the climate control and the tracking system. Every item is an argument for haggling.

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The detailed expert report

The tables show the figures; this report explains them in words. The expert describes the car as he would tell you about it in person, had you been standing beside him at the inspection.

What is inside

Every defect separately — with its place and its size — down to a scratch of 1 cm
The cause, not only the fact — for example, dents left by a seat belt caught in the door
The interior zone by zone — driver’s side, passenger side, headlining, upholstery, sills
Photographic proof — every remark is tied to a photograph
An assessment of severity — what is cosmetic and consistent with the mileage, and what is a risk

If a material defect was not found during the inspection, we bear the responsibility for it and provide a guarantee. The terms are set out in the contract.

The first page of the expert report: the condition of the paintwork — The start of the report: marque, year, mileage and the condition of the paintwork with specific thickness figures — for the outer panels and for the apertures.

A list of body shortcomings by side of the car — The shortcomings of the body are set out side by side: every scratch and dent with its place and its size — down to a scratch 1 cm long under the fuel filler flap.

The continuation of the list of body remarks — The expert notes the cause of a defect too, not only the fact of it: for example, dents on a door left by closing it with the seat belt caught in it.

The section on photographic evidence and the condition of the interior — Every remark is backed by photographs. Then the interior: its general condition and, separately, the driver’s area, where wear shows up first.

Interior remarks and the move to the overall verdict — Multimedia, gear lever, armrest, sills, headlining and seat upholstery. The absence of burn marks and traces of smoking is noted separately.

The expert’s overall verdict on the car — The verdict: there are no traces of an accident or of resprays, all the shortcomings found are cosmetic and consistent with the mileage — they do not affect safety.

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What the paintwork thickness report looks like

An extract from the report. The values are in micrometres: factory paintwork is usually 90–160 µm.

Body panel	Min.	Max.	Average	Verdict
Bonnet	108	132	119	factory
Front right wing	245	410	318	resprayed
Front right door	112	128	120	factory
Rear right door	115	131	122	factory
Boot lid	104	126	116	factory

Two inspection formats

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Basic inspection

An on-site inspection by an expert: the condition of the car, the documents, the history, the paint thickness measurements and the computer diagnostics. It suits you when you need to rule out unsuitable cars quickly and not overpay for checking every advertisement.

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Comprehensive inspection

An extended check of a car that has already been chosen, including an inspection on a lift: suspension, underbody, exhaust system, traces of welding and corrosion underneath. It is arranged before the purchase, when the decision has all but been taken.

If we are the ones sourcing the car, the inspection is already part of the deal support — there is no need to order it separately. The inspection can also be ordered on its own if you have found the car yourself.

Brands we import to order. Trademarks belong to their respective owners.

Expert inspection: examples of our work

This is what the photo reports from real inspections look like. The shooting follows one and the same route, so reports on different cars can be compared with one another. Every body type has its own weak points — below you can see what the expert pays particular attention to.

Porsche 911 · a general photo report

Porsche 911. The shooting follows one and the same route, so reports on different cars can be compared with one another.

What the expert photographs

The body panel by panel — including the angles along the flank, where unevenness shows up
Wheels and brakes — the condition of the rims, the tyres and the brake components
The interior — seats, steering wheel, sills, wear in the driver’s area
Completeness — keys, documents, service book
From underneath — suspension, arms, boots, traces of leaks and of repair

The shots from the lift are what will never appear in an advertisement. It is there that the condition of the suspension and the traces of repair can be seen.

A photo report from an on-site inspection, photograph 1 of 15 — The body is photographed from every side, including the angles along the flank — they reveal unevenness that is invisible when you look straight on.

A photo report from an on-site inspection, photograph 2 of 15 — Photograph 2 of 15 — part of a single photo report from the inspection.

A photo report from an on-site inspection, photograph 3 of 15 — Photograph 3 of 15 — part of a single photo report from the inspection.

A photo report from an on-site inspection, photograph 4 of 15 — Photograph 4 of 15 — part of a single photo report from the inspection.

A photo report from an on-site inspection, photograph 5 of 15 — Wheels and brakes: the condition of the rims, the markings and the wear of the tyres, the brake components.

A photo report from an on-site inspection, photograph 6 of 15 — Photograph 6 of 15 — part of a single photo report from the inspection.

A photo report from an on-site inspection, photograph 7 of 15 — Photograph 7 of 15 — part of a single photo report from the inspection.

A photo report from an on-site inspection, photograph 8 of 15 — Photograph 8 of 15 — part of a single photo report from the inspection.

A photo report from an on-site inspection, photograph 9 of 15 — The keys — both sets. One set instead of two almost always means one was lost, and that is an expensive replacement.

A photo report from an on-site inspection, photograph 10 of 15 — Photograph 10 of 15 — part of a single photo report from the inspection.

A photo report from an on-site inspection, photograph 11 of 15 — Photograph 11 of 15 — part of a single photo report from the inspection.

A photo report from an on-site inspection, photograph 12 of 15 — The completeness of the documents: service book, handbook, notes about the protective coating applied.

A photo report from an on-site inspection, photograph 13 of 15 — The interior from inside: the condition of the seats, the belts and the headlining. The belt is pulled right out to check it along its whole length.

A photo report from an on-site inspection, photograph 14 of 15 — Photograph 14 of 15 — part of a single photo report from the inspection.

A photo report from an on-site inspection, photograph 15 of 15 — Shots from underneath: suspension, arms, boots and traces of leaks. What can be seen from the lift will not be in any advertisement.

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BMW X3 30d · a record of defects

BMW X3 30d. Here you can see how the remarks themselves are recorded: not as a general phrase at the end of the report, but as a separate photograph of every defect.

How defects are recorded

A red arrow on the photograph — points straight at the defect — it is impossible to miss
A close-up — a chip, a scratch or a scuff is photographed from close to
Measuring the panel gaps — a feeler gauge between the panels shows whether a panel has been off
Factory stickers — the date on a headlight gives away a replacement after an impact
Assemblies close up — brake discs, calipers, suspension components

Small things such as a scratch on the plastic of a sill go into the report too. The task is not to flatter the car but to show it as it is.

The inspection of a BMW X3 30d, photograph 1 of 20 — Measuring the gap between the panels with a special feeler gauge. Even gaps all round the body mean the panels have not been removed or beaten out.

The inspection of a BMW X3 30d, photograph 2 of 20 — Photograph 2 of 20 — a record of the condition of the assemblies and of the defects found.

The inspection of a BMW X3 30d, photograph 3 of 20 — Photograph 3 of 20 — a record of the condition of the assemblies and of the defects found.

The inspection of a BMW X3 30d, photograph 4 of 20 — Photograph 4 of 20 — a record of the condition of the assemblies and of the defects found.

The inspection of a BMW X3 30d, photograph 5 of 20 — The defect is marked with a red arrow right on the photograph: a chip on the chrome bumper trim. A remark like that is impossible to miss.

The inspection of a BMW X3 30d, photograph 6 of 20 — Photograph 6 of 20 — a record of the condition of the assemblies and of the defects found.

The inspection of a BMW X3 30d, photograph 7 of 20 — Photograph 7 of 20 — a record of the condition of the assemblies and of the defects found.

The inspection of a BMW X3 30d, photograph 8 of 20 — Photograph 8 of 20 — a record of the condition of the assemblies and of the defects found.

The inspection of a BMW X3 30d, photograph 9 of 20 — The factory sticker on the headlight with its production date. If the date differs sharply from the year the car was built, the headlight was changed after an impact.

The inspection of a BMW X3 30d, photograph 10 of 20 — Photograph 10 of 20 — a record of the condition of the assemblies and of the defects found.

The inspection of a BMW X3 30d, photograph 11 of 20 — Photograph 11 of 20 — a record of the condition of the assemblies and of the defects found.

The inspection of a BMW X3 30d, photograph 12 of 20 — Photograph 12 of 20 — a record of the condition of the assemblies and of the defects found.

The inspection of a BMW X3 30d, photograph 13 of 20 — Photograph 13 of 20 — a record of the condition of the assemblies and of the defects found.

The inspection of a BMW X3 30d, photograph 14 of 20 — Photograph 14 of 20 — a record of the condition of the assemblies and of the defects found.

The inspection of a BMW X3 30d, photograph 15 of 20 — Photograph 15 of 20 — a record of the condition of the assemblies and of the defects found.

The inspection of a BMW X3 30d, photograph 16 of 20 — A scratch on the plastic of the sill — marked with an arrow. Even small things like this go into the report: the client must know about them before the purchase, not after.

The inspection of a BMW X3 30d, photograph 17 of 20 — Photograph 17 of 20 — a record of the condition of the assemblies and of the defects found.

The inspection of a BMW X3 30d, photograph 18 of 20 — Photograph 18 of 20 — a record of the condition of the assemblies and of the defects found.

The inspection of a BMW X3 30d, photograph 19 of 20 — Photograph 19 of 20 — a record of the condition of the assemblies and of the defects found.

The inspection of a BMW X3 30d, photograph 20 of 20 — A brake disc and caliper close up: the lip on the edge and the condition of the mechanism are visible.

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Range Rover · an inspection on the forecourt

Range Rover. The inspection takes place right on the seller’s forecourt, with all the equipment and with a run up onto the lift.

What the expert does on site

He arrives with his own instruments — paint gauge, scanner, torch, feeler gauges
He takes the readings in front of you — the values are recorded on the photograph together with the panel
He checks the electronics — instrument cluster, multimedia, the systems in the interior at work
He drives onto the lift — sump guard, exhaust, leaks and corrosion underneath
He photographs the neighbouring cars — showing where the inspection took place — these are not studio shots

The inspection takes several hours. You receive the photo report the same day, before any money goes to the seller.

The inspection of a Range Rover, photograph 1 of 12 — Measuring the coating thickness with a paint gauge right on the seller’s forecourt — the instrument shows a value for every panel.

The inspection of a Range Rover, photograph 2 of 12 — Photograph 2 of 12 — the body, the interior and the technical condition of the car.

The inspection of a Range Rover, photograph 3 of 12 — Photograph 3 of 12 — the body, the interior and the technical condition of the car.

The inspection of a Range Rover, photograph 4 of 12 — Photograph 4 of 12 — the body, the interior and the technical condition of the car.

The inspection of a Range Rover, photograph 5 of 12 — Photograph 5 of 12 — the body, the interior and the technical condition of the car.

The inspection of a Range Rover, photograph 6 of 12 — The interior and the instrument cluster: the electronics are checked at work, along with the condition of the steering wheel and the headlining.

The inspection of a Range Rover, photograph 7 of 12 — Photograph 7 of 12 — the body, the interior and the technical condition of the car.

The inspection of a Range Rover, photograph 8 of 12 — Photograph 8 of 12 — the body, the interior and the technical condition of the car.

The inspection of a Range Rover, photograph 9 of 12 — Photograph 9 of 12 — the body, the interior and the technical condition of the car.

The inspection of a Range Rover, photograph 10 of 12 — Photograph 10 of 12 — the body, the interior and the technical condition of the car.

The inspection of a Range Rover, photograph 11 of 12 — The inspection from underneath on the lift: sump guard, exhaust system, traces of leaks and corrosion.

The inspection of a Range Rover, photograph 12 of 12 — Photograph 12 of 12 — the body, the interior and the technical condition of the car.

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Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse · a premium saloon

Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse. Premium cars carry a risk of their own: expensive trim and electronics whose replacement costs as much as half a bodywork repair.

What we look at especially

The interior trim — leather, wood, inserts — their wear shows before the mileage does
Electronics — screens, climate control, seat massage, soft-close doors
Completeness — jack, towing eye, hi-vis vest, accessories
The marks left after the measurements — the control points and the deviations are marked on the body
The engine bay — the condition of the assemblies and traces of interference

A missing item from the standard kit or a replaced interior insert means several hundred euros to make the car complete again.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse, photograph 1 of 19 — The inspection begins with the bonnet and the doors open: access to all the assemblies and to the interior at once.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse, photograph 2 of 19 — Photograph 2 of 19 — the body, the interior, the completeness and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse, photograph 3 of 19 — Photograph 3 of 19 — the body, the interior, the completeness and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse, photograph 4 of 19 — Photograph 4 of 19 — the body, the interior, the completeness and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse, photograph 5 of 19 — Photograph 5 of 19 — the body, the interior, the completeness and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse, photograph 6 of 19 — Photograph 6 of 19 — the body, the interior, the completeness and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse, photograph 7 of 19 — Photograph 7 of 19 — the body, the interior, the completeness and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse, photograph 8 of 19 — Photograph 8 of 19 — the body, the interior, the completeness and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse, photograph 9 of 19 — Photograph 9 of 19 — the body, the interior, the completeness and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse, photograph 10 of 19 — Completeness: jack, towing eye, hi-vis vest and cloth from the standard kit — all present.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse, photograph 11 of 19 — Photograph 11 of 19 — the body, the interior, the completeness and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse, photograph 12 of 19 — Photograph 12 of 19 — the body, the interior, the completeness and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse, photograph 13 of 19 — Photograph 13 of 19 — the body, the interior, the completeness and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse, photograph 14 of 19 — Photograph 14 of 19 — the body, the interior, the completeness and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse, photograph 15 of 19 — Photograph 15 of 19 — the body, the interior, the completeness and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse, photograph 16 of 19 — The marks on the body after the measurements: the dots show where the coating thickness was checked, the arrows the areas with a deviation.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse, photograph 17 of 19 — Photograph 17 of 19 — the body, the interior, the completeness and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse, photograph 18 of 19 — Photograph 18 of 19 — the body, the interior, the completeness and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse, photograph 19 of 19 — Photograph 19 of 19 — the body, the interior, the completeness and the technical condition.

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BMW 840d · an inspection at a dealer

BMW 840d. The car has been prepared for viewing, so the expert looks where people do not usually look.

The hidden areas of the check

Under the seals — the edges of the doors and the apertures give paint away even after polishing
The engine bay — the mounting bolts, traces of panels having been removed
Joints and edges — the places that are not polished before a sale
The set of documents — handbook, service book, both sets of keys
His own equipment — the expert arrives with a case of instruments

Preparation for sale hides small defects, but not the traces of repair in the places the polisher does not reach.

The inspection of a BMW 840d, photograph 1 of 17 — The expert arrives with his own case of equipment — it can be seen in the photograph beside the car.

The inspection of a BMW 840d, photograph 2 of 17 — Photograph 2 of 17 — the body, the engine, the interior and the completeness.

The inspection of a BMW 840d, photograph 3 of 17 — Photograph 3 of 17 — the body, the engine, the interior and the completeness.

The inspection of a BMW 840d, photograph 4 of 17 — Photograph 4 of 17 — the body, the engine, the interior and the completeness.

The inspection of a BMW 840d, photograph 5 of 17 — Photograph 5 of 17 — the body, the engine, the interior and the completeness.

The inspection of a BMW 840d, photograph 6 of 17 — Photograph 6 of 17 — the body, the engine, the interior and the completeness.

The inspection of a BMW 840d, photograph 7 of 17 — Photograph 7 of 17 — the body, the engine, the interior and the completeness.

The inspection of a BMW 840d, photograph 8 of 17 — Photograph 8 of 17 — the body, the engine, the interior and the completeness.

The inspection of a BMW 840d, photograph 9 of 17 — Checking the seals and the edges of the body: traces of paint show underneath them if the panel has been repaired.

The inspection of a BMW 840d, photograph 10 of 17 — Photograph 10 of 17 — the body, the engine, the interior and the completeness.

The inspection of a BMW 840d, photograph 11 of 17 — Photograph 11 of 17 — the body, the engine, the interior and the completeness.

The inspection of a BMW 840d, photograph 12 of 17 — Photograph 12 of 17 — the body, the engine, the interior and the completeness.

The inspection of a BMW 840d, photograph 13 of 17 — Photograph 13 of 17 — the body, the engine, the interior and the completeness.

The inspection of a BMW 840d, photograph 14 of 17 — Documents and keys: handbook, service book, both sets of keys.

The inspection of a BMW 840d, photograph 15 of 17 — Photograph 15 of 17 — the body, the engine, the interior and the completeness.

The inspection of a BMW 840d, photograph 16 of 17 — Photograph 16 of 17 — the body, the engine, the interior and the completeness.

The inspection of a BMW 840d, photograph 17 of 17 — Photograph 17 of 17 — the body, the engine, the interior and the completeness.

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Mercedes-Benz V-Klasse · an MPV

Mercedes-Benz V-Klasse. On MPVs the wear shows up somewhere other than on saloons — so the checklist shifts towards the interior and the seating arrangements.

What we check on an MPV

The sliding doors — runners, rollers, smoothness of travel and the powered mechanism
Reconfiguring the interior — the seat mountings, the folding, the condition of the rails
The luggage compartment — trim, parcel shelf and loading sill — the first things to wear
The second and third rows — traces of child seats, wear of the upholstery and the belts
Body and underbody — cars like these carry loads more often — we check the loaded areas

Commercial use gives itself away fastest in the interior, not in the odometer reading.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz V-Klasse, photograph 1 of 13 — The inspection on a dealer forecourt. The expert brings all the equipment with him.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz V-Klasse, photograph 2 of 13 — Photograph 2 of 13 — the body, the interior, the luggage compartment and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz V-Klasse, photograph 3 of 13 — Photograph 3 of 13 — the body, the interior, the luggage compartment and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz V-Klasse, photograph 4 of 13 — Photograph 4 of 13 — the body, the interior, the luggage compartment and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz V-Klasse, photograph 5 of 13 — Photograph 5 of 13 — the body, the interior, the luggage compartment and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz V-Klasse, photograph 6 of 13 — Photograph 6 of 13 — the body, the interior, the luggage compartment and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz V-Klasse, photograph 7 of 13 — The luggage compartment of the MPV: the condition of the trim, the parcel shelf and the loading sill — the area that wears out first.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz V-Klasse, photograph 8 of 13 — Photograph 8 of 13 — the body, the interior, the luggage compartment and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz V-Klasse, photograph 9 of 13 — Photograph 9 of 13 — the body, the interior, the luggage compartment and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz V-Klasse, photograph 10 of 13 — Photograph 10 of 13 — the body, the interior, the luggage compartment and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz V-Klasse, photograph 11 of 13 — Photograph 11 of 13 — the body, the interior, the luggage compartment and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz V-Klasse, photograph 12 of 13 — Photograph 12 of 13 — the body, the interior, the luggage compartment and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz V-Klasse, photograph 13 of 13 — Photograph 13 of 13 — the body, the interior, the luggage compartment and the technical condition.

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Porsche 991 · a sports car

Porsche 991. Sports cars have weak points of their own: the low ride height, the light-coloured trim and the expensive consumables — the cost of a mistake is higher.

What matters on a sports car

The front end — chips on the bumper, on the edge of the bonnet and on the lights from stones
Underbody and sills — a low ride height means scrapes from kerbs and car park ramps
A light interior — traces of dye transferred from clothing, scuffing on the bolsters
Wheels and tyres — kerbing damage and the production date of the rubber
Traces of track use — brake and tyre wear that points to hard driving

Small defects on light leather and on the lights look harmless, but on a premium marque putting them right costs a lot.

The inspection of a Porsche 991, photograph 1 of 15 — Photograph 1 of 15 — the body, the lights, the wheels and the condition of the light interior.

The inspection of a Porsche 991, photograph 2 of 15 — Photograph 2 of 15 — the body, the lights, the wheels and the condition of the light interior.

The inspection of a Porsche 991, photograph 3 of 15 — Photograph 3 of 15 — the body, the lights, the wheels and the condition of the light interior.

The inspection of a Porsche 991, photograph 4 of 15 — Photograph 4 of 15 — the body, the lights, the wheels and the condition of the light interior.

The inspection of a Porsche 991, photograph 5 of 15 — Photograph 5 of 15 — the body, the lights, the wheels and the condition of the light interior.

The inspection of a Porsche 991, photograph 6 of 15 — Photograph 6 of 15 — the body, the lights, the wheels and the condition of the light interior.

The inspection of a Porsche 991, photograph 7 of 15 — Photograph 7 of 15 — the body, the lights, the wheels and the condition of the light interior.

The inspection of a Porsche 991, photograph 8 of 15 — The arrow points to a chip on the edge of the headlight. On sports cars the front end suffers first — from stones on the motorway.

The inspection of a Porsche 991, photograph 9 of 15 — Photograph 9 of 15 — the body, the lights, the wheels and the condition of the light interior.

The inspection of a Porsche 991, photograph 10 of 15 — Photograph 10 of 15 — the body, the lights, the wheels and the condition of the light interior.

The inspection of a Porsche 991, photograph 11 of 15 — Photograph 11 of 15 — the body, the lights, the wheels and the condition of the light interior.

The inspection of a Porsche 991, photograph 12 of 15 — Photograph 12 of 15 — the body, the lights, the wheels and the condition of the light interior.

The inspection of a Porsche 991, photograph 13 of 15 — Light leather gives use away: traces of dye transferred from clothing on the seat bolster. Cleaning trim like this costs noticeable money.

The inspection of a Porsche 991, photograph 14 of 15 — Photograph 14 of 15 — the body, the lights, the wheels and the condition of the light interior.

The inspection of a Porsche 991, photograph 15 of 15 — Photograph 15 of 15 — the body, the lights, the wheels and the condition of the light interior.

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BMW X5 40d · a large SUV

BMW X5 40d. Large SUVs have many hidden cavities — and that is exactly where the traces of flooding, of repair and of amateur equipment fitting hide.

Where we look in addition

Under the boot trim — wiring, connectors, signs of it having been opened and of home-made splices
Recesses and cavities — spare wheel, jack, the places where moisture collects
Air suspension — struts, compressor, traces of pumping up and of sagging
Towing equipment — a towbar and its wiring — a sign of driving with a trailer
The body from underneath — guards, sills and arches — what suffers away from tarmac

An amateur splice into the wiring is a common cause of intermittent faults. It can only be seen with the trim removed.

The inspection of a BMW X5 40d, photograph 1 of 19 — Photograph 1 of 19 — the body, the interior, the hidden cavities and the technical condition.

The inspection of a BMW X5 40d, photograph 2 of 19 — Photograph 2 of 19 — the body, the interior, the hidden cavities and the technical condition.

The inspection of a BMW X5 40d, photograph 3 of 19 — Photograph 3 of 19 — the body, the interior, the hidden cavities and the technical condition.

The inspection of a BMW X5 40d, photograph 4 of 19 — Photograph 4 of 19 — the body, the interior, the hidden cavities and the technical condition.

The inspection of a BMW X5 40d, photograph 5 of 19 — Photograph 5 of 19 — the body, the interior, the hidden cavities and the technical condition.

The inspection of a BMW X5 40d, photograph 6 of 19 — Photograph 6 of 19 — the body, the interior, the hidden cavities and the technical condition.

The inspection of a BMW X5 40d, photograph 7 of 19 — Photograph 7 of 19 — the body, the interior, the hidden cavities and the technical condition.

The inspection of a BMW X5 40d, photograph 8 of 19 — Photograph 8 of 19 — the body, the interior, the hidden cavities and the technical condition.

The inspection of a BMW X5 40d, photograph 9 of 19 — Photograph 9 of 19 — the body, the interior, the hidden cavities and the technical condition.

The inspection of a BMW X5 40d, photograph 10 of 19 — Photograph 10 of 19 — the body, the interior, the hidden cavities and the technical condition.

The inspection of a BMW X5 40d, photograph 11 of 19 — Photograph 11 of 19 — the body, the interior, the hidden cavities and the technical condition.

The inspection of a BMW X5 40d, photograph 12 of 19 — The recess under the boot trim: wiring, connectors and mountings. Signs that it has been opened give away the fitting of extra equipment or a repair after flooding.

The inspection of a BMW X5 40d, photograph 13 of 19 — Photograph 13 of 19 — the body, the interior, the hidden cavities and the technical condition.

The inspection of a BMW X5 40d, photograph 14 of 19 — Photograph 14 of 19 — the body, the interior, the hidden cavities and the technical condition.

The inspection of a BMW X5 40d, photograph 15 of 19 — Photograph 15 of 19 — the body, the interior, the hidden cavities and the technical condition.

The inspection of a BMW X5 40d, photograph 16 of 19 — Photograph 16 of 19 — the body, the interior, the hidden cavities and the technical condition.

The inspection of a BMW X5 40d, photograph 17 of 19 — Photograph 17 of 19 — the body, the interior, the hidden cavities and the technical condition.

The inspection of a BMW X5 40d, photograph 18 of 19 — Photograph 18 of 19 — the body, the interior, the hidden cavities and the technical condition.

The inspection of a BMW X5 40d, photograph 19 of 19 — Photograph 19 of 19 — the body, the interior, the hidden cavities and the technical condition.

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Audi A7 · a liftback

Audi A7. An inspection indoors at a dealer: even light makes it possible to see what is lost in the reflections outside.

What an indoor inspection gives

Even light — polishing swirls and waves in the panels left by beating out become visible
The interior trim — scuffs on inserts and mouldings that have to be ordered separately
The engine bay — the condition of the assemblies and traces of panels having been removed
Glass and lights — without reflections, chips and signs of replacement stand out
The panoramic roof — seals, runners and traces of leaks

A scuffed decorative insert looks like a trifle, but on a premium marque it has to be ordered as a separate part.

The inspection of an Audi A7, photograph 1 of 16 — Photograph 1 of 16 — the body, the engine bay, the interior and the trim.

The inspection of an Audi A7, photograph 2 of 16 — Photograph 2 of 16 — the body, the engine bay, the interior and the trim.

The inspection of an Audi A7, photograph 3 of 16 — Photograph 3 of 16 — the body, the engine bay, the interior and the trim.

The inspection of an Audi A7, photograph 4 of 16 — Photograph 4 of 16 — the body, the engine bay, the interior and the trim.

The inspection of an Audi A7, photograph 5 of 16 — Photograph 5 of 16 — the body, the engine bay, the interior and the trim.

The inspection of an Audi A7, photograph 6 of 16 — Photograph 6 of 16 — the body, the engine bay, the interior and the trim.

The inspection of an Audi A7, photograph 7 of 16 — Photograph 7 of 16 — the body, the engine bay, the interior and the trim.

The inspection of an Audi A7, photograph 8 of 16 — Photograph 8 of 16 — the body, the engine bay, the interior and the trim.

The inspection of an Audi A7, photograph 9 of 16 — The arrow points to a scuff on the decorative door insert. Parts like these are ordered separately and cost more than you would think.

The inspection of an Audi A7, photograph 10 of 16 — Photograph 10 of 16 — the body, the engine bay, the interior and the trim.

The inspection of an Audi A7, photograph 11 of 16 — Photograph 11 of 16 — the body, the engine bay, the interior and the trim.

The inspection of an Audi A7, photograph 12 of 16 — Photograph 12 of 16 — the body, the engine bay, the interior and the trim.

The inspection of an Audi A7, photograph 13 of 16 — Photograph 13 of 16 — the body, the engine bay, the interior and the trim.

The inspection of an Audi A7, photograph 14 of 16 — Photograph 14 of 16 — the body, the engine bay, the interior and the trim.

The inspection of an Audi A7, photograph 15 of 16 — Photograph 15 of 16 — the body, the engine bay, the interior and the trim.

The inspection of an Audi A7, photograph 16 of 16 — Photograph 16 of 16 — the body, the engine bay, the interior and the trim.

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Range Rover Sport · accepting a new car

Range Rover Sport. Checking a new car before you accept it is a task no less important than inspecting a used one.

What we check on a new car

Transport damage — chips and scuffs picked up in transit
The factory coating — the paint gauge confirms that the body has not been touched up
The specification — a cross-check against the order: options, trim, equipment
Electronics — every screen and every system switches on and works
Completeness — keys, documents, the standard kit

A defect found before acceptance is put right by the seller. Found afterwards, it is your expense.

The inspection of a Range Rover Sport, photograph 1 of 15 — The inspection of a new car right on the forecourt. Even on a car with zero mileage everything is checked — transport damage is not unusual.

The inspection of a Range Rover Sport, photograph 2 of 15 — Photograph 2 of 15 — the body, the lights, the wheels and the interior.

The inspection of a Range Rover Sport, photograph 3 of 15 — Photograph 3 of 15 — the body, the lights, the wheels and the interior.

The inspection of a Range Rover Sport, photograph 4 of 15 — Photograph 4 of 15 — the body, the lights, the wheels and the interior.

The inspection of a Range Rover Sport, photograph 5 of 15 — Photograph 5 of 15 — the body, the lights, the wheels and the interior.

The inspection of a Range Rover Sport, photograph 6 of 15 — Photograph 6 of 15 — the body, the lights, the wheels and the interior.

The inspection of a Range Rover Sport, photograph 7 of 15 — Photograph 7 of 15 — the body, the lights, the wheels and the interior.

The inspection of a Range Rover Sport, photograph 8 of 15 — The interior and the instrument panel: the screens at work, the condition of the trim and the traces of the pre-delivery preparation.

The inspection of a Range Rover Sport, photograph 9 of 15 — Photograph 9 of 15 — the body, the lights, the wheels and the interior.

The inspection of a Range Rover Sport, photograph 10 of 15 — Photograph 10 of 15 — the body, the lights, the wheels and the interior.

The inspection of a Range Rover Sport, photograph 11 of 15 — Photograph 11 of 15 — the body, the lights, the wheels and the interior.

The inspection of a Range Rover Sport, photograph 12 of 15 — Photograph 12 of 15 — the body, the lights, the wheels and the interior.

The inspection of a Range Rover Sport, photograph 13 of 15 — Photograph 13 of 15 — the body, the lights, the wheels and the interior.

The inspection of a Range Rover Sport, photograph 14 of 15 — Photograph 14 of 15 — the body, the lights, the wheels and the interior.

The inspection of a Range Rover Sport, photograph 15 of 15 — Photograph 15 of 15 — the body, the lights, the wheels and the interior.

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Porsche Macan · a crossover

Porsche Macan. A separate part of the inspection is the indirect evidence of the real mileage. An odometer can be altered; the wear of the parts cannot.

What gives the true mileage away

The pedals — worn rubbers on a car with “low mileage” are a direct sign of a rollback
The steering wheel and the lever — leather polished shiny where they are constantly gripped
Buttons and mouldings — worn pictograms on the keys that are used most often
The driver’s seat — a collapsed bolster and creases in the cushion
Mats and sills — wear in the footwell and on the edge of the sill

If the wear of the parts does not agree with the figure on the instrument panel, we record it and check the mileage against the control units and the databases.

The inspection of a Porsche Macan, photograph 1 of 17 — The whole engine bay: the condition of the assemblies, traces of leaks and of parts having been removed.

The inspection of a Porsche Macan, photograph 2 of 17 — Photograph 2 of 17 — the body, the engine, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Porsche Macan, photograph 3 of 17 — Photograph 3 of 17 — the body, the engine, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Porsche Macan, photograph 4 of 17 — Photograph 4 of 17 — the body, the engine, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Porsche Macan, photograph 5 of 17 — Photograph 5 of 17 — the body, the engine, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Porsche Macan, photograph 6 of 17 — Photograph 6 of 17 — the body, the engine, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Porsche Macan, photograph 7 of 17 — Photograph 7 of 17 — the body, the engine, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Porsche Macan, photograph 8 of 17 — Photograph 8 of 17 — the body, the engine, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Porsche Macan, photograph 9 of 17 — Photograph 9 of 17 — the body, the engine, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Porsche Macan, photograph 10 of 17 — Photograph 10 of 17 — the body, the engine, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Porsche Macan, photograph 11 of 17 — The pedal box is one of the most honest indicators of mileage. Worn rubbers on a car with “low mileage” give a rollback away.

The inspection of a Porsche Macan, photograph 12 of 17 — Photograph 12 of 17 — the body, the engine, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Porsche Macan, photograph 13 of 17 — Photograph 13 of 17 — the body, the engine, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Porsche Macan, photograph 14 of 17 — Photograph 14 of 17 — the body, the engine, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Porsche Macan, photograph 15 of 17 — Photograph 15 of 17 — the body, the engine, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Porsche Macan, photograph 16 of 17 — Photograph 16 of 17 — the body, the engine, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Porsche Macan, photograph 17 of 17 — Photograph 17 of 17 — the body, the engine, the interior and the traces of use.

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Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse · a body-on-frame SUV

Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse. A body-on-frame SUV is checked differently from an ordinary car: here the load-bearing structure is separate and its condition is critical.

The particulars of a body-on-frame SUV

The frame — corrosion, traces of welding and of straightening — what cosmetics cannot cure
Factory markings — the stickers and stamps under the bonnet must all be in place
The body bolts — untouched paint means the panel has not been removed
Off-road use — scrapes on the guards, the sills and the suspension
The interior — wear of the steering wheel and the leather — we check it against the mileage claimed

On a model with a high price it is important to confirm that the body panels are original — cars like these are often rebuilt.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse, photograph 1 of 12 — The engine bay with the bonnet open: the factory markings on the inner side, the condition of the assemblies and of the mountings.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse, photograph 2 of 12 — Photograph 2 of 12 — the body, the frame, the interior and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse, photograph 3 of 12 — Photograph 3 of 12 — the body, the frame, the interior and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse, photograph 4 of 12 — Photograph 4 of 12 — the body, the frame, the interior and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse, photograph 5 of 12 — Photograph 5 of 12 — the body, the frame, the interior and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse, photograph 6 of 12 — Photograph 6 of 12 — the body, the frame, the interior and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse, photograph 7 of 12 — The steering wheel and the instrument panel: wear of the leather where it is gripped and the screens at work.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse, photograph 8 of 12 — Photograph 8 of 12 — the body, the frame, the interior and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse, photograph 9 of 12 — Photograph 9 of 12 — the body, the frame, the interior and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse, photograph 10 of 12 — Photograph 10 of 12 — the body, the frame, the interior and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse, photograph 11 of 12 — Photograph 11 of 12 — the body, the frame, the interior and the technical condition.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse, photograph 12 of 12 — Photograph 12 of 12 — the body, the frame, the interior and the technical condition.

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BMW 340i · a saloon

BMW 340i. The inspection is not postponed because of the weather — the expert works in the rain too. What is more, a wet body sometimes shows more than a dry one.

What a wet body shows

The relief of the panels — the drops emphasise the waves and unevenness left by beating out
Differences in shade — wet paint brings out the difference in colour between panels
The quality of the polishing — swirls and traces of the work are more distinct
Small interior parts — mouldings and blanking caps — a foreign part gives dismantling away
The lights — misting and traces of moisture inside the headlights

A missing blanking cap or a non-original fixing is a signal that the assembly has been apart. We find out why before the purchase.

The inspection of a BMW 340i, photograph 1 of 16 — The inspection after rain: the drops emphasise the relief of the panels, and any unevenness left by beating out becomes more noticeable.

The inspection of a BMW 340i, photograph 2 of 16 — Photograph 2 of 16 — the body, the lights, the interior and the small details.

The inspection of a BMW 340i, photograph 3 of 16 — Photograph 3 of 16 — the body, the lights, the interior and the small details.

The inspection of a BMW 340i, photograph 4 of 16 — Photograph 4 of 16 — the body, the lights, the interior and the small details.

The inspection of a BMW 340i, photograph 5 of 16 — Photograph 5 of 16 — the body, the lights, the interior and the small details.

The inspection of a BMW 340i, photograph 6 of 16 — Photograph 6 of 16 — the body, the lights, the interior and the small details.

The inspection of a BMW 340i, photograph 7 of 16 — Photograph 7 of 16 — the body, the lights, the interior and the small details.

The inspection of a BMW 340i, photograph 8 of 16 — Photograph 8 of 16 — the body, the lights, the interior and the small details.

The inspection of a BMW 340i, photograph 9 of 16 — Photograph 9 of 16 — the body, the lights, the interior and the small details.

The inspection of a BMW 340i, photograph 10 of 16 — Small interior parts: the fixings, the mouldings and the blanking caps. A missing or foreign part means the assembly has been apart.

The inspection of a BMW 340i, photograph 11 of 16 — Photograph 11 of 16 — the body, the lights, the interior and the small details.

The inspection of a BMW 340i, photograph 12 of 16 — Photograph 12 of 16 — the body, the lights, the interior and the small details.

The inspection of a BMW 340i, photograph 13 of 16 — Photograph 13 of 16 — the body, the lights, the interior and the small details.

The inspection of a BMW 340i, photograph 14 of 16 — Photograph 14 of 16 — the body, the lights, the interior and the small details.

The inspection of a BMW 340i, photograph 15 of 16 — Photograph 15 of 16 — the body, the lights, the interior and the small details.

The inspection of a BMW 340i, photograph 16 of 16 — Photograph 16 of 16 — the body, the lights, the interior and the small details.

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Mercedes-Benz E200 · an executive saloon

Mercedes-Benz E200. Executive saloons often come from taxi fleets and company fleets, where the mileage builds up quickly but turns out to be modest in the advertisement.

We check the wear against the mileage

The steering wheel — leather polished shiny does not happen on a car with low mileage
The driver’s seat — a collapsed bolster and creases in the cushion
Sills and mats — wear where people get in — the sign of frequent journeys
The lights and the body — stone-chipping on the headlights and the bonnet gives motorway mileage away
The whole interior — smell, traces of cleaning, the condition of the headlining

When the wear does not agree with the figure on the instrument panel, we record it in the report and check the mileage against the control units and the databases.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz E200, photograph 1 of 22 — Photograph 1 of 22 — the body, the lights, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz E200, photograph 2 of 22 — Photograph 2 of 22 — the body, the lights, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz E200, photograph 3 of 22 — Photograph 3 of 22 — the body, the lights, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz E200, photograph 4 of 22 — Photograph 4 of 22 — the body, the lights, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz E200, photograph 5 of 22 — Photograph 5 of 22 — the body, the lights, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz E200, photograph 6 of 22 — Photograph 6 of 22 — the body, the lights, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz E200, photograph 7 of 22 — Photograph 7 of 22 — the body, the lights, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz E200, photograph 8 of 22 — Photograph 8 of 22 — the body, the lights, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz E200, photograph 9 of 22 — Photograph 9 of 22 — the body, the lights, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz E200, photograph 10 of 22 — Photograph 10 of 22 — the body, the lights, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz E200, photograph 11 of 22 — Photograph 11 of 22 — the body, the lights, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz E200, photograph 12 of 22 — Photograph 12 of 22 — the body, the lights, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz E200, photograph 13 of 22 — Photograph 13 of 22 — the body, the lights, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz E200, photograph 14 of 22 — The arrows point to the scuffing on the leather of the steering wheel. It is compared with the mileage claimed: on a car “with low mileage” the wheel should not be polished shiny.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz E200, photograph 15 of 22 — Photograph 15 of 22 — the body, the lights, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz E200, photograph 16 of 22 — Photograph 16 of 22 — the body, the lights, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz E200, photograph 17 of 22 — Photograph 17 of 22 — the body, the lights, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz E200, photograph 18 of 22 — Photograph 18 of 22 — the body, the lights, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz E200, photograph 19 of 22 — Photograph 19 of 22 — the body, the lights, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz E200, photograph 20 of 22 — Photograph 20 of 22 — the body, the lights, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz E200, photograph 21 of 22 — Photograph 21 of 22 — the body, the lights, the interior and the traces of use.

The inspection of a Mercedes-Benz E200, photograph 22 of 22 — Photograph 22 of 22 — the body, the lights, the interior and the traces of use.

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We have also inspected

Porsche 911Porsche 991Porsche MacanBMW X3 30dBMW X5 40dBMW 840dBMW 340iAudi A7Range RoverRange Rover SportMercedes-Benz S-KlasseMercedes-Benz E200Mercedes-Benz V-KlasseMercedes-Benz G-Klasseand hundreds of others

The material is published with the consent of the clients. Personal data, registration numbers and VINs are hidden.

The inspection report comes to you, not to the seller

After the check you receive a detailed report from our expert: everything is structured, laid out section by section and easy to study. The decision remains yours — we have no interest in the deal going through at any cost. If the car is a bad one, we will say so plainly and carry on sourcing.

Book an inspection

Questions and answers

The condition of the body and traces of repair, the structure and suspension, the engine and gearbox, the electronics, the interior, the history by VIN and the documents. For electric cars there is also the condition of the battery (SOH). The result comes to you as a report with photos and video.

Leave a request and we will help you choose

+7 913 666-94-83

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Our offices

Грузия · Поти, ул. Чавчавадзе, участок № 545, 4400 — Представительство, склад и логистический хаб в порту Поти. Принимаем авто, оформляем документы и отправляем в страны СНГ.

Китай · Гуанчжоу, Pearl River Tower, 15 West Zhujiang Road, 21/F, Tianhe District, 510623 — Представительство и закупка авто напрямую у дилеров и заводов Китая. В порту Наньша наш склад: здесь готовим экспортные документы и отправляем авто в страны СНГ.

Румыния · Констанца, Bulevardul Mamaia nr. 142 — Представительство, склад и хаб в порту Констанца. Принимаем авто из Европы и США, готовим документы и отправляем в страны СНГ.

Казахстан · Хоргос / Khorgas, Beijing rd. 12 — Склад-хаб в Хоргос. Приём, оформление и отправка автомобилей из Китая по СНГ

США · Charleston, SC, 170 Meeting Street, Suite 200, 29401 — Представительство. Принимаем авто с американских аукционов, готовим экспортные документы и отправляем через порт Чарльстон в страны СНГ.

Россия · 644099, Омская область, г. Омск, ул. Орджоникидзе, д. 14 — Фактический адрес офиса в РФ

Россия · Владикавказ, Иристонская ул., 74, 362042 — Центр оформления авто: Таможенное оформление · СБКТС · ЭПТС · Постановка на учёт

An online office in 46 regions of Russia and the CIS: a video consultation with screen sharing and calculations, and document signing online.