Used Car Inspection
The Used Car Inspection
for the car you want
A certified master technician inspects the car you want right at the seller's – independent, documented and with a clear basis for your decision.
- On-site inspection by a master technician
- TÜV NORD vehicle diagnostics
- Test drive and photo documentation
- Clear purchase recommendation
from €359 · report within 24h · all across Germany
Why a Used Car Inspection pays off before you buy
Clarity about the specific vehicle
A decision, not a gut feeling
Transparent price and value
Directly at the dealer or private seller
The most important answers about the Used Car Inspection
Clear answers to the most important questions at a glance.
What is a Used Car Inspection?
When is a Used Car Inspection worth it?
How much does a Used Car Inspection cost?
Who inspects the vehicle?
What the Used Car Inspection covers
What matters is not every single scratch. What matters is what the findings mean for the price, the risk and your purchase decision.
Service booklet and records
Maintenance history, repairs and existing documentation are checked for plausibility.
Vehicle documents
Relevant documents such as inspection (HU/TÜV) reports or owner history help assess the vehicle.
Findings in context
Inconsistencies aren't just recorded – the report also explains what they mean.
Service booklet and records
Maintenance history, repairs and existing documentation are checked for plausibility.
Vehicle documents
Relevant documents such as inspection (HU/TÜV) reports or owner history help assess the vehicle.
Findings in context
Inconsistencies aren't just recorded – the report also explains what they mean.
Bodywork and paint
Dents, scratches, rust or signs of previous damage are made visible.
Wheels and tyres
Tyre age, tread depth and general condition provide important information about safety and follow-up costs.
Glass and lights
Stone chips, cracks or noticeable damage to lighting and glass surfaces are documented.
Bodywork and paint
Dents, scratches, rust or signs of previous damage are made visible.
Wheels and tyres
Tyre age, tread depth and general condition provide important information about safety and follow-up costs.
Glass and lights
Stone chips, cracks or noticeable damage to lighting and glass surfaces are documented.
Seats and upholstery
Wear, general care and visible damage all feed into the overall assessment.
Controls and displays
Relevant switches, displays and comfort functions are tested for proper operation.
Climate and ventilation
Heating, air conditioning and ventilation are checked where a meaningful assessment is possible.
General condition
Odour, cleanliness and visible signs of use help judge how well the car was cared for.
Seats and upholstery
Wear, general care and visible damage all feed into the overall assessment.
Controls and displays
Relevant switches, displays and comfort functions are tested for proper operation.
Climate and ventilation
Heating, air conditioning and ventilation are checked where a meaningful assessment is possible.
General condition
Odour, cleanliness and visible signs of use help judge how well the car was cared for.
Safety-relevant points
Visible findings on lighting, brakes and other relevant areas are recorded.
Engine bay and drivetrain
Fluids, visible anomalies and the general technical impression are assessed.
Fault codes
Where possible, fault codes are read out and put into context for your purchase decision.
The technology as a whole
What matters is not the raw list of findings, but what the technical anomalies actually mean.
Safety-relevant points
Visible findings on lighting, brakes and other relevant areas are recorded.
Engine bay and drivetrain
Fluids, visible anomalies and the general technical impression are assessed.
Fault codes
Where possible, fault codes are read out and put into context for your purchase decision.
The technology as a whole
What matters is not the raw list of findings, but what the technical anomalies actually mean.
Add-on for a €99 surcharge
Optionally bookable in the checkout with the Used Car Inspection – €99 incl. VAT on top of the base price.
Structure, rust and accident traces
On the lift, rust perforation, welding, deformation and freshly applied underbody sealant become visible – the classic hiding places for expensive prior damage.
Play check on suspension and axles
Control arms, ball joints, tie rods, drop links and shock absorbers are checked for noticeable play, oil leakage and damage – only reliably possible on a lift.
Visual inspection of drivetrain and leaks
Engine, gearbox, differential and drive shafts are checked from below for oil loss and leaks, plus mounts and condition of the exhaust system.
Brakes measured, not estimated
Brake pad and disc thickness are measured at every wheel – turning “looks fine” into a reliable remaining service life. Plus brake lines and hoses checked for corrosion and porosity.
Boots and rubber bushings
CV and steering boots for cracks and grease loss, rubber bushings on suspension and axles for play and wear.
Requirement: lift
A lift must be available at the vehicle's location – usually the case at dealers. If the inspection is not possible on site, we refund the underbody check.
Add-on for a €99 surcharge
Optionally bookable in the checkout with the Used Car Inspection – €99 incl. VAT on top of the base price.
Structure, rust and accident traces
On the lift, rust perforation, welding, deformation and freshly applied underbody sealant become visible – the classic hiding places for expensive prior damage.
Play check on suspension and axles
Control arms, ball joints, tie rods, drop links and shock absorbers are checked for noticeable play, oil leakage and damage – only reliably possible on a lift.
Visual inspection of drivetrain and leaks
Engine, gearbox, differential and drive shafts are checked from below for oil loss and leaks, plus mounts and condition of the exhaust system.
Brakes measured, not estimated
Brake pad and disc thickness are measured at every wheel – turning “looks fine” into a reliable remaining service life. Plus brake lines and hoses checked for corrosion and porosity.
Boots and rubber bushings
CV and steering boots for cracks and grease loss, rubber bushings on suspension and axles for play and wear.
Requirement: lift
A lift must be available at the vehicle's location – usually the case at dealers. If the inspection is not possible on site, we refund the underbody check.
Engine and transmission
If a test drive is possible, driving behaviour and fundamental anomalies are taken into account.
Steering and handling
Feedback, stability and unusual noises provide additional clues for the assessment.
Brakes
Braking behaviour and perceptible anomalies are taken into account during the test drive.
Documented observations
Noises, vibrations and warnings are recorded so you don't have to interpret them yourself.
Engine and transmission
If a test drive is possible, driving behaviour and fundamental anomalies are taken into account.
Steering and handling
Feedback, stability and unusual noises provide additional clues for the assessment.
Brakes
Braking behaviour and perceptible anomalies are taken into account during the test drive.
Documented observations
Noises, vibrations and warnings are recorded so you don't have to interpret them yourself.
What you have in hand after the inspection
You don't just get technical findings, but a clear basis for your decision – neutral and independent of the seller's interests. Curious how the report is structured? Explore the interactive sample report.
Documented vehicle condition
Context for your purchase decision
Better negotiating position
Why buyers choose Meistercheck
Your result in 3 simple steps
- 1
Request a vehicle
Send us the listing or the vehicle details – we organise the rest. - 2
On-site inspection
A master technician inspects the car right where it is – at the dealer or private seller. - 3
Report and assessment
You get a clear basis for your decision: buy, renegotiate or walk away.
Who the Used Car Inspection is made for
More about the Used Car Inspection
Costs & value
What the inspection costs and when the investment can pay off.
Learn moreOn-site inspection
How the inspection works directly at the dealer or private seller.
Learn moreInspect before buying
Why an inspection before the purchase decision is worth it.
Learn moreIndependent assessment
A neutral evaluation without seller interests for your purchase decision.
Learn moreWant to have an electric or hybrid vehicle inspected?
FAQ
After your request we coordinate the inspection with the seller. The check itself usually takes around 60 minutes – depending on the vehicle and the situation on site.
Yes, provided the seller agrees and the vehicle is roadworthy and registered. In that case the test drive is included in the assessment.
The price is currently €359 – including travel and the inspection report. You can find out exactly what is included in the price and why the investment can pay off on the cost page.
All findings are documented and put into context. That way you know where you stand before buying and can decide clearly: buy, renegotiate or better walk away.
Yes. For electric and hybrid vehicles there is a dedicated, specialised Electric Used Car Inspection – with additional focus areas around the battery.
For an additional €99 the master technician inspects the vehicle on a lift: rust and accident traces on the underbody, brake pad and disc thickness measured, noticeable play on suspension and axle components, leaks on drivetrain and gearbox, and the condition of brake lines, brake hoses, boots and rubber bushings. It requires a lift at the vehicle's location – usually available at dealers. If the inspection is not possible there, we refund the underbody check.