Car Check-Up Before Purchase
A full technical check-up of a used car before buying — before you pay a cent: an automotive expert drives to the car, measures every body panel with a paint-depth gauge, runs OBD computer diagnostics, verifies the mileage and takes it on a test drive. You get the verdict on the spot — and a PDF report the moment we finish.
Flat price, VAT included, anywhere near Lisbon — and the whole of Portugal by arrangement. No “from €350 + IVA” surprises: one check-up, one price.
📄 See a real report before you order
This is an anonymised sample of the report you receive right at the car: verdict, paint readings on every panel, findings, OBD results and photos. Reports come in English, Portuguese or Russian.
Download sample report (PDF)Don't take our word for it — read the reports
Every point we check — all 145 of them
The same protocol as our pre-purchase inspection. Open any section to see exactly what the check-up covers.
Want to run the list yourself? Read the open guide “What to check when buying” →
1. DOCUMENTS (7)
- VIN matches: docs, body, plate
- Registration (DUA) — original
- IPO book — dates, validity
- Service book — records, dealer stamps
- Number of owners
- Both key sets present
- Theft, lien, restriction check
2. BODY — PAINT GAUGE (17)
- Roof
- Hood
- Front left fender
- Front right fender
- Front left door
- Front right door
- Rear left door
- Rear right door
- Rear left fender
- Rear right fender
- Trunk/tailgate
- Front bumper
- Rear bumper
- Left sill
- Right sill
- A/B/C pillars left
- A/B/C pillars right
3. BODY — VISUAL (15)
- Panel gaps — uniformity
- Repaint signs — orange peel, runs, dust
- Color mismatch between panels
- Weld seams — factory or repair
- Sealant in trunk/hood — factory
- Door/hood hinges — removal signs
- Fender bolts — unscrewing signs
- Glass markings — same date/maker
- Windshield — chips, cracks, replaced
- Rear glass — defroster, integrity
- Door seals — paint traces
- Corrosion — sills, arches, underside
- Corrosion — door cavities, trunk lid
- Underside — protection, impacts, rust
- Wheel arch liners — presence, mounts
4. LIGHTS & GLASS (8)
- Headlights — markings, date matching
- Headlights — clouding, moisture
- Tail lights — cracks, moisture, replaced
- Fog lights — working
- Turn signals — all working
- Brake lights — all working
- Reverse light
- License plate light
5. TIRES & WHEELS (9)
- Tire brand — all 4 matching
- Tire manufacture date (DOT)
- Tread depth — uniformity
- Uneven wear (inner/outer)
- Cracks, bulges, sidewall cuts
- Size matches factory spec
- Wheels — cracks, deformation, repair
- Spare tire — present, pressure
- Jack and wrench
6. INTERIOR (24)
- Smell — damp, mold, oil, smoke
- Moisture — under mats, in trunk
- Steering wheel — material wear
- Pedals — wear matches mileage?
- Driver seat — bolster wear
- Seatbelts — condition, date tag
- Airbags — indicator, covers intact
- Headliner — sagging, stains
- Climate control — all modes
- A/C — cooling, smell
- Heater — all fan speeds
- Power windows — all 4
- Mirrors — adjust, heat, fold
- Heated seats (if equipped)
- Power seat adjust (if equipped)
- Sunroof — open, close, seal
- Multimedia — screen, sound, inputs
- Bluetooth — pairing, hands-free
- Navigation — working
- Rearview camera / parking sensors
- USB/AUX ports
- 12V socket
- Central locking — all doors
- Wipers and washer — all modes
7. UNDER THE HOOD (13)
- Burnt oil/coolant smell
- Leaks — oil, coolant, PS, brake
- Engine oil — level, color, emulsion on cap
- Coolant — level, color, purity
- Brake fluid — level, color
- PS fluid — level
- Battery — age, terminals, corrosion
- Timing belt/chain — when replaced
- Drive belts — cracks, tension
- Hoses — cracks, clamps, leaks
- Non-standard repair signs
- Non-original parts visible
- VIN on body — legibility, tampering
8. ENGINE START (10)
- Cold start — first try?
- Blue smoke (oil)
- White smoke (coolant)
- Black smoke (fuel)
- Unusual noises at start (knock, whistle)
- Knock persists after warm-up?
- Idle stability
- Engine vibration at idle
- All indicators off after start?
- Check Engine light — off?
9. OBD DIAGNOSTICS (7)
- Engine errors — current
- Engine errors — stored (history)
- Transmission errors
- ABS / ESP errors
- Airbag errors
- Mileage across ECUs — matches?
- Live Data — sensors normal
10. TEST DRIVE (18)
- Auto trans — no delay engaging
- Auto trans — smooth shifts
- Auto trans — no jerks or slipping
- Manual — easy shifting
- Manual — clutch: travel, bite point
- Manual — clutch pedal no pulsation
- Acceleration — no hesitation
- Steering — play
- Pulls to one side straight
- Wanders left-right
- Vibration at 80-120 km/h
- Humming at speed (bearings)
- Brakes — effectiveness
- Brakes — pedal pulsation
- Brakes — pulling to side
- Steering shake when braking
- Suspension knocks/squeaks on bumps
- Shock absorbers — body bouncing
11. LIFT INSPECTION (17) extra: +100 €, by arrangement
- Underside — corrosion, impacts, protection
- Exhaust system — integrity, mounts
- Front brake pads — remaining
- Rear brake pads — remaining
- Brake discs — wear, grooves, cracks
- Brake hoses
- CV joint boots — integrity
- Tie rod ends — play
- Tie rods — condition
- Ball joints — play
- Bushings — cracks, wear
- Shock absorbers — leaks
- Springs — sagging, cracks
- Stabilizer — links, bushings
- Subframe — mounts, corrosion
- Gearbox — oil leaks
- Differential / driveshaft (AWD)
Cars we have already checked
Real check-ups with photos, paint readings and the inspector's verdict — see what the report finds in practice.
View inspected cars & reports →Looking for the mandatory periodic inspection (IPO / “Portuguese MOT”)? That is a different thing — see prices and rules here: IPO in Portugal — 2026 prices
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get a check-up of a car before purchase in Portugal?
Anywhere the car is — we come to it. A mobile check-up before buying works at a dealer, at a private seller's address or at a workshop, in Greater Lisbon with travel included and across Portugal by arrangement. You do not need to bring the car anywhere or ask the seller to drive it to a garage.
What is the difference between a check-up and a pre-purchase inspection?
None — “check-up”, “pre-purchase inspection” and “vistoria” are different names for the same service: a full technical verification of the car before you buy it. Ours covers 145 points and ends with a PDF report on the spot.
How much does a car check-up cost in Portugal?
Our price is a flat €150 with VAT included, near Lisbon. Outside the Lisbon area we add €0.50/km, quoted as one total before you book. The €450 turnkey package includes up to 3 check-ups, sourcing from our own market database and the price negotiation itself — no 20% success fee on the first €1,500 of discount. Bought separately that comes to roughly €750.
How long does the check-up take?
About 1.5–2 hours at the car: body and paint measurements, OBD diagnostics, undercarriage, interior electronics and a test drive. The PDF report is handed over immediately after.
Can you do the check-up without me?
Yes — most of our clients are not at the car. We coordinate with the seller, do the check-up, and you join by video call for the verdict if you want. The report arrives on WhatsApp.
Do you verify the real mileage?
Yes. We cross-check the odometer against IPO inspection records, service history, OBD data and physical wear (pedals, seat, steering wheel). Mileage fraud is one of the most common finds.
Found a car? Book the check-up
Send the listing link on WhatsApp — we reply within ~15 minutes with the earliest slot.
