Meistercheck
Pre-Check – check the vehicle history digitally before you travel to the viewing

Pre-Check

Check digitally first.
Then view with purpose.

We evaluate the history, service record and known weak spots of the car you have in mind – and tell you whether the Used Car Inspection is worth it.

  • Vehicle history with CarVertical
  • Digital service record
  • Model-series expertise
  • Clear recommendation

€89 · result within one working day · no appointment needed

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Why the Pre-Check is the right first step

Vehicle identification number (VIN) in the registration document

Clarity before you invest time

Many listings sound good – and fall apart on the history. The Pre-Check shows you in advance whether damage, mileage and maintenance add up. So you only travel to cars that are worth it.

Reliable data instead of the seller's word

We work with the VIN, the CarVertical report and the manufacturer's digital service record. Not what the listing says – but what is documented.

Model-series expertise

Every model has its weak spots. You get the known weak spots of this exact model series and engine – and know what to look at during the viewing.

€20 credited towards the Used Car Inspection

The car still looks interesting? For a subsequent on-site Used Car Inspection we credit you €20. You find the code in your report.
Book pre-check

Key questions about the Pre-Check

Clear answers to the most important questions at a glance.

What is the Pre-Check?

A digital preliminary check of the car you have in mind, based on its vehicle identification number (VIN). Meistercheck evaluates the CarVertical report, retrieves the digital service record and compiles the known weak spots of the model series – summarised in a short report with a clear recommendation for the next step.

When does the Pre-Check make sense?

Whenever you have a specific listing in mind but do not yet know whether the trip to the seller is worth it. Ideal for cars located far away, for suspiciously cheap offers or when you are comparing several candidates.

What does the Pre-Check cost?

A fixed €89 – including vehicle history, service record, model-series expertise and the short report with recommendation. If you book a Used Car Inspection afterwards, €20 is credited.

What is the Pre-Check not?

Not an inspection of the car itself. Wear, undocumented accident traces or noises on a test drive can only be detected by a master technician on site. The Pre-Check tells you whether that step is worth it – the Used Car Inspection then delivers the full picture.

What the Pre-Check covers

Three building blocks, one result: does the car's history match the listing – and what risks does the model series bring with it?

Vehicle history report

CarVertical report

We evaluate the CarVertical report for the car you have in mind – damage entries, mileage readings, owners, import – and assess what matters for the purchase.

Vehicle identity

Model, engine, model year and equipment according to the manufacturer are compared with the listing.

Documented damage

Recorded damage and repair events are classified: minor or structurally relevant?

Mileage plausibility

The stated mileage is checked against documented readings – signs of odometer tampering show up here.

Anomalies

Imported vehicle, frequent changes of owner or gaps in the documentation are named when they matter for your decision.

Digital service record with service history

Retrieving the service history

We retrieve the digital service record and review the documented service history – where available for the make and model year.

Work carried out

Which inspections, maintenance and repairs are recorded with the manufacturer?

Intervals and gaps

Were inspections carried out on time? Are there gaps or unusually long intervals between entries?

Mileage over time

The mileage readings of the service entries are checked against each other and against the listing.

Checkpoint in the engine bay – known weak spots of the model series

Model- and engine-specific weak spots

You get the known weak spots of this exact model series and engine – drawn from the experience of our on-site inspections.

Possible cost risks

Not every weak spot is expensive. We tell you what can get costly – and what is cosmetic.

Checkpoints for the later inspection

Concrete points to look at during the viewing – and questions you should ask the seller.

In the end you get a clear recommendation.

Not a pile of data, but a decision aid: the short report ends with one of three recommendations.

01

Pursue

History, service record and listing match. The next step to the Used Car Inspection is worth it.
02

Clarify open points

Individual anomalies should be resolved before you invest time. We tell you which questions to ask the seller.
03

Keep looking

The history speaks against the car – for example implausible mileage or serious damage entries. Save yourself the trip.
We tell you whether the next step to the Used Car Inspection is worth it for this car.

What you have in hand after the Pre-Check

A compact digital report – and if you go further: €20 credited towards the on-site Used Car Inspection.

Vehicle history and service history

Damage, mileage readings and maintenance assessed at a glance – with a note where data is missing or could not be retrieved.

Known weak spots of the model series

What typically gets expensive with this model – and what you should check during the viewing.

Relevant anomalies

Contradictions between listing, history and service record are clearly named – no jargon.

Clear recommendation for the next step

Pursue, clarify open points or keep looking – with reasons you can understand.

Why buyers start with the Pre-Check

The most expensive mistakes in buying a used car begin with a history that does not match the listing. The Pre-Check uncovers that before you have driven a single kilometre – independent of the seller's interests, based on vehicle history, service record and model-series expertise. How we work.

Your result in 3 simple steps

  1. 1

    Provide the vehicle details

    We always need the chassis number, also called the vehicle identification number (VIN) – you find it in field E of the registration document or get it from the seller. In addition, the link to the listing or the German type key (HSN/TSN, fields 2.1 and 2.2 of the registration document).
  2. 2

    We evaluate the information

    Meistercheck evaluates the CarVertical report, retrieves the digital service record and compiles the model-series expertise.
  3. 3

    You get our recommendation

    Within one working day you receive the short report: pursue, clarify open points or keep looking – with your €20 code for the Used Car Inspection.

Is your car eligible for the Pre-Check?

We can retrieve the digital service record for the following makes from the stated model year onwards. The model year usually corresponds to the year of first registration.

  • Audifrom model year 2017
  • BMWfrom model year 2014
  • CUPRAfrom model year 2018
  • Fordfrom model year 2022
  • Hondafrom model year 2023
  • Jaguarfrom model year 2014
  • Land Roverfrom model year 2014
  • Lexusfrom model year 2020
  • Mercedes-Benzfrom model year 2009
  • MGfrom model year 2021
  • MINIfrom model year 2017
  • Rolls-Roycefrom model year 2013
  • SEATfrom model year 2018
  • Škodafrom model year 2014
  • Smartfrom model year 2015
  • Toyotafrom model year 2020
  • Volkswagenfrom model year 2017
Vehicle history and model-series expertise are available for every car. If no digital service record can be retrieved for your make or model year, we state that clearly in the report and tell you which documents to ask the seller for.

Who the Pre-Check is made for

The Pre-Check is right for you if you have a specific listing in mind and want to know before the viewing whether the car's history holds up.
When the car is far away – and you don't want to travel for nothing
When the offer is suspiciously cheap – and you're looking for the catch
When you're comparing several cars – and want to shortlist
When you're considering the Used Car Inspection – but want to be sure it's worth it first
Want the full inspection of the car right away? Go to the on-site Used Car Inspection.

Two checks for two different questions

Pre-Check

Is this car worth pursuing?

  • Vehicle history with CarVertical
  • Digital service record
  • Model-series expertise
  • Recommendation for the next step
  • €89 · digital · within one working day

Used Car Inspection

What condition is this car actually in?

  • Inspection of the car by a master technician
  • Test drive, fault memory, body and technology
  • Detailed inspection report with photos
  • from €359 – with €20 credited from the Pre-Check
Go to the Used Car Inspection
The Pre-Check tells you whether further inspection is worth it. The Used Car Inspection tells you the actual condition of the car.

The next step after the Pre-Check

Used Car Inspection

The full on-site inspection by a master technician – with your credit from the Pre-Check.

Learn more

Electric Inspection

For EVs and hybrids: on-site inspection including a certified battery check.

Learn more

TÜV NORD diagnostics

How we work on site with TÜV NORD diagnostic technology – from fault memory to VIN check.

Learn more

Sample report

What a full inspection report looks like after the Used Car Inspection.

Learn more

€20 credited towards the Used Car Inspection

The car still looks interesting? For a subsequent Used Car Inspection or Electric Inspection we credit you €20 – via the code from your report, which you enter at checkout. That is how the two checks build on each other: first the history, then the condition.
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FAQ

Vehicle history and model-series expertise are available for every car with a valid VIN. We can retrieve the digital service record for the following makes from the stated model year onwards: Audi from 2017, BMW from 2014, CUPRA from 2018, Ford from 2022, Honda from 2023, Jaguar from 2014, Land Rover from 2014, Lexus from 2020, Mercedes-Benz from 2009, MG from 2021, MINI from 2017, Rolls-Royce from 2013, SEAT from 2018, Škoda from 2014, Smart from 2015, Toyota from 2020, Volkswagen from 2017. For other makes or older cars we state in the report that no digital service record could be retrieved.

The chassis number (VIN, 17 characters) – it is printed in field E of the registration document, often appears in the listing, and the seller can give it to you. In addition, the link to the listing or, if there is none, the German type key (HSN/TSN) from fields 2.1 and 2.2 of the registration document. This lets us determine the exact engine variant.

The vehicle identification number is printed in field E of the registration document, often appears in the listing and is usually visible at the bottom of the windscreen. Just ask the seller – reputable sellers hand it over without hesitation. If a seller hesitates, that in itself is a warning sign.

For a fixed €89: the vehicle history with CarVertical (damage, mileage readings, owners, import), retrieval and review of the digital service record, the model-series expertise with known weak spots and checkpoints, and the short report with a clear recommendation. Plus €20 credited towards the Used Car Inspection.

Usually within one working day of receiving your vehicle details. Since no appointment with the seller is needed, it is much faster than the on-site Used Car Inspection.

No. The Pre-Check answers the question of whether the car is worth pursuing – based on its history. The Used Car Inspection answers the question of what condition the car is actually in – by inspecting the car itself. The two build on each other.

No. Nobody sees the car during the Pre-Check. Meistercheck evaluates only the digitally available information: vehicle history, service record and the knowledge of the model series. Wear, undocumented accident traces or anomalies on a test drive can only be detected by a master technician on site during the Used Car Inspection.

"Pursue" means: history, service record and listing match, the Used Car Inspection is worth it. "Clarify open points" means: there are anomalies you should resolve with the seller before going further – we name them for you. "Keep looking" means: the history speaks against the car, save yourself the trip.

Your report contains a code worth €20. Enter it at checkout when booking the Used Car Inspection or the Electric Inspection – the amount is deducted directly.

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