How to Choose the Right Service When Buying a Car in Germany: On-Site Inspection or Turnkey Car Selection
2026-01-20 18:00
CAR-CHECK24 specializes exclusively in independent vehicle inspections before purchase. Even when a car looks good on the outside, it may hide an accident history, technical issues, or legal nuances. That is why more and more buyers choose to work with independent experts. We do not sell vehicles, do not offer leasing, and do not handle client funds. Our role is to provide objective, verified information about the actual condition of a vehicle, allowing the client to make their own informed purchase decision. Below you will find a detailed description of all our services, including their scope and conditions, so you can clearly understand which option is right for you.
Service Warranty Each CAR-CHECK24 service includes a 90-day warranty. If a warranty case occurs within this period, it will be fully compensated in accordance with the service terms.
Preliminary Contact with the Seller Before every on-site inspection, we contact the seller in advance and request:
the vehicle’s VIN number;
information about the technical condition;
details regarding possible damage or repairs.
Experience shows that not all sellers provide accurate information. In many cases, the real condition of the vehicle differs significantly from descriptions and photos. It is important to understand that attractive photos do not guarantee the absence of hidden defects.
Documents and Payment For each service, the client receives an official contract and an invoice. Work begins only after payment has been received.
On-Site Vehicle Inspection When this service is suitable The on-site inspection is intended for situations where the vehicle has already been found—at a dealership or from a private seller—and an objective assessment of its technical and visual condition is required before purchase. The inspection is carried out directly at the vehicle’s location.
Inspection Packages Standard — €249 A basic on-site vehicle inspection, including:
travel of a qualified specialist;
visual and technical inspection;
assessment of bodywork, engine, suspension, and key components;
a detailed report with photos and video materials.
Suitable for obtaining a general yet professional understanding of the vehicle’s condition.
Comfort — €299 Includes everything from the “Standard” package, plus:
VIN-based vehicle check;
analysis of insurance databases, registers, and available data sources;
verification of mileage, accident history, and insurance claims;
additional information requests from the seller.
Suitable for clients who want to understand not only the current condition, but also the vehicle’s history.
Premium — €349 The most comprehensive package, including:
all services from the “Comfort” package;
negotiations with the seller;
vehicle reservation;
transaction support;
monitoring of all steps up to the purchase.
Designed for clients who want minimal involvement and full professional support.
Pricing Structure for On-Site Inspections The total cost consists of two parts:
the fixed price of the selected inspection package;
travel costs for the specialist.
Travel costs are calculated one way only and amount to €1.10 per kilometer. Distances are calculated using Google Maps. Starting point: 55743 Idar-Oberstein. For convenience, a calculator is available on our website and in our mobile app (Android / iOS). By entering the vehicle’s location, the client can see the exact price in advance.
Important: Before the service is ordered and paid for, we do not contact sellers and do not carry out any checks. If, after payment, it turns out that the vehicle has already been sold or reserved, the client receives a full refund.
Vehicle Search “Full Service” — €1299 When this service is suitable This service is designed for clients who have not yet found a vehicle and want to delegate the entire process to professionals. The search period is up to 21 business days. If no suitable vehicle is found within this timeframe, the full service fee is refunded. What the service includes
vehicle search according to your criteria;
initial VIN and database checks before any on-site visit;
communication with sellers and collection of complete information;
early elimination of problematic vehicles;
one on-site inspection included.
If the inspected vehicle turns out to be unsuitable, each additional inspection is charged separately with a 25% discount. The search continues until a suitable vehicle is found. The client receives a preliminary report before the physical inspection, allowing vehicles with multiple accidents or hail damage to be excluded at an early stage.
Transparency of the Selection Process The client receives access to a dedicated monitoring table, updated daily. It shows:
found vehicles;
status of contact with sellers;
VIN numbers and inspection results;
expert comments.
This allows the client to follow the entire process in real time.
Delivery costs are calculated individually after the purchase, as the vehicle location and destination are not known in advance. Export license plates are paid separately. Assistance with obtaining them is already included in the full-service search.
Additional Services Upon request, the following additional services can be provided for an extra fee:
export license plates;
customs clearance;
assistance with vehicle purchase;
interpreter services;
temporary insurance;
service history verification;
insurance consultation;
financial and related services.
Negotiation Fee For both on-site inspections and the full-service vehicle search, a commission of 50% of the achieved discountapplies.
Example: If the original vehicle price was €50,000 and the price was reduced by €1,000, the CAR-CHECK24 commission would be €500. This ensures that we are always motivated to achieve the best possible price for our clients.
Conclusion The on-site inspection is suitable for clients who have already found a vehicle and want to check it before purchase. The full-service vehicle search is ideal for clients who want to fully delegate the search and inspection process. In both cases, our goal is to provide complete, objective, and verified information, ensuring that the vehicle purchase is informed and secure.
In 90% of cases, our services fully pay for themselves through successful negotiations with sellers. We act exclusively in the client’s interest, with no hidden fees or non-transparent conditions. We value trust and build our work on honesty, professionalism, and transparency.