Identity & documents
We compare the documents provided with the vehicle identifiers. IMT history, liens or overseas records may require separate enquiries.
VIN matches the registration card (livrete)
VIN on the body or behind the windscreen matches the registration card
Registration card (livrete) seen
Registration card data matches the vehicle
IPO valid (per document)
Import documents (DAV / COC / homologação) in order — Imported vehicles
Service history
We record dates, mileage and source: invoice, service book or seller statement. A concealed timing drive cannot be inspected visually.
Timing drive
Engine oil
Gearbox oil
Last service
Keys
Service book and history
Panels: paint and damage
The list adapts to the body type. Paint is measured on accessible surfaces compatible with the gauge; plastic and composite panels are assessed visually. Measurements and damage are recorded per panel.
Front bumper — According to body type
Hood — According to body type
Front left fender — According to body type
A-pillar front, outer — left — According to body type
Front left door — According to body type
Left rocker — front half — According to body type
B-pillar middle, inner — left — According to body type
Rear left door — According to body type
Left sliding door — According to body type
Left rocker — rear half — According to body type
C-pillar rear, outer — left — According to body type
Rear left quarter — According to body type
Rear left side panel — According to body type
D-pillar (tailgate) left — According to body type
Pickup bed — According to body type
Trunk lid — According to body type
Tailgate — According to body type
Bed tailgate — According to body type
Rear bumper — According to body type
Rear right quarter — According to body type
Rear right side panel — According to body type
D-pillar (tailgate) right — According to body type
C-pillar rear, outer — right — According to body type
Rear right door — According to body type
Right sliding door — According to body type
Right rocker — rear half — According to body type
B-pillar middle, inner — right — According to body type
Front right door — According to body type
Right rocker — front half — According to body type
A-pillar front, outer — right — According to body type
Front right fender — According to body type
Roof — According to body type
Overcab/front mask — According to body type; motorhome body
Habitation wall left — According to body type; motorhome body
Habitation wall right — According to body type; motorhome body
Habitation rear wall — According to body type; motorhome body
Habitation roof — According to body type; motorhome body
Left skirt — According to body type; motorhome body
Right skirt — According to body type; motorhome body
Drawbar and front wall — According to body type; motorhome body
Body & paint
We assess visible parts without dismantling the car. Differences in glass markings are recorded and considered alongside other evidence.
Panel gaps are even
Windscreen: chips and cracks in view zone
Glass markings consistent
Accessible structure (rails, welds, hinges)
Lights: haze, moisture, cracks, mounts
Tyres, wheels & brakes
Recorded per wheel, with comparisons across each axle. Discs, pads and CV boots are assessed where visible, without removing wheels. Restricted access is recorded.
Tyre brand, model and type — Per wheel, where accessible
Tyre size compared with registration data — Per wheel, where accessible
DOT manufacture date — Per wheel, where accessible
Tread condition and uneven wear — Per wheel, where accessible
Sidewall damage: cracks, cuts, bulges — Per wheel, where accessible
Rim damage and repair signs — Per wheel, where accessible
Brake disc: visible wear, scoring and cracks — Per wheel, where accessible
Visible brake pad condition — Per wheel, where accessible
CV boot: cracks, tears and grease leakage — Per wheel, where accessible
Under the hood
Checks depend on the engine and drivetrain. Parts underneath are observed only with safe access; obstructing shields are recorded. A full lift inspection is optional.
Engine oil level and condition — Combustion engine; according to drivetrain
Under the oil cap: no emulsion or sludge — Combustion engine; according to drivetrain
Coolant: level, colour, emulsion — Combustion engine; according to drivetrain
Brake fluid level
Oil leaks and sweating: valve cover, sump, seals — Combustion engine; according to drivetrain
Coolant leaks: radiator, hoses, expansion tank, water pump — Combustion engine; according to drivetrain
Other fluid leaks: brake, power steering, gearbox, fuel — Combustion engine; according to drivetrain
Smells and other seepage before start
12V battery: terminals, corrosion, age
Orange HV cables and connectors: no damage or signs of tampering — EV/hybrid
Accessory belts and hoses (accessible) — Combustion engine; according to drivetrain
Structure under hood: towers, rails, wing bolts
Chassis frame: rust and damage — SUV/pickup, if fitted and accessible
Front differential: leaks and rust — SUV/pickup, if fitted and accessible
Rear differential: leaks and rust — SUV/pickup, if fitted and accessible
Gearbox from below: leaks and rust — Combustion engine; according to drivetrain
Transfer case from below: leaks and rust — SUV/pickup, if fitted and accessible
Start & dashboard
We record whether the engine is cold or already warm. A cold start cannot be reproduced if the seller has warmed the car.
Engine was cold before start — Combustion engine; according to drivetrain
Starts on first attempt — Combustion engine; according to drivetrain
Warning lights: self-test OK, extinguish after start
READY mode engages, no HV warnings — EV/hybrid
Abnormal noises (cold/warm) — Combustion engine; according to drivetrain
Idle stability and vibration — Combustion engine; according to drivetrain
Exhaust: smoke colour at start — Combustion engine; according to drivetrain
Lights test
Left, right and centre lights are checked where applicable. Missing equipment is recorded as not fitted.
Low beam
High beam
Front indicators
Rear indicators
Hazard lights
Fog lights
Brake lights
Reverse lights
Plate lights
DRL
Interior
We test the equipment fitted and photograph the main interior areas. Missing options and checks that cannot be performed are recorded.
Steering wheel: rim wear, buttons
Driver's seat: bolster, upholstery, frame, adjustments
Instrument cluster and dashboard: condition, buttons, display
Pedals: pad wear
Selector / gear knob: wear, gaiter
Driver's door card: armrest, handle, switches, speaker
Window lifters: all doors, from driver panel
Locks: central locking, fob, all doors and boot
Mirrors: adjust, fold, heating
Front wipers and washer
Rear wiper and washer
Infotainment: screen, sound, radio, CarPlay
Cameras: reversing/surround view
Parking sensors: front and rear beep
USB / 12V / wireless charging
Climate: fan, zones, AC cooling, heater, smell
Horn works
Front passenger side: seat, glovebox, floor mat
Front-right door card
Headliner and trim: no sagging or stains
Sunroof/panorama: operation, blind, leak marks
Airbag covers: gaps, opening traces
Seat belts: condition, latching, tag date
Rear row: seats and floor
Rear door cards
Damp smell, moisture under mats and in boot
Boot: floor, spare well, trim — creases, welds, sealant
Kit: spare/repair kit, jack, triangle, vest
OBD diagnostics
With seller permission and a compatible scanner. We read the data available from the modules; not every model provides an independent mileage value. The diagnostic report is attached to the inspection.
Fault codes from accessible modules and scanner report
Available module mileage compared with the dashboard
Road test
Subject to permission, insurance and safe conditions. We assess the car at the speeds and in the conditions possible on the route, according to its gearbox and powertrain.
Insurance valid today (ASF/FGA or document)
Seller permitted the drive, route is safe
Shifting: jerks, delays, noises — Combustion engine; according to drivetrain
Acceleration without hesitation
Steering: tracking, pull, play
Vibration and noise at speed
Braking: efficiency, vibration, pull
Regenerative braking smooth; hybrid: engine starts/stops without shudder, EV mode holds — EV/hybrid
Suspension: knocks on bumps
Parking brake (EPB/handbrake) holds
Post-drive check
We inspect the car again after the road test for changes that were not apparent before driving.
No fresh leaks after the drive
Burning smell, fan operation, temperature
Hot restart: starts immediately — Combustion engine; according to drivetrain
No new warning lights after the drive
EV / hybrid — HV system
For EVs and hybrids. SOH, cell data, insulation and counters depend on model and scanner support. A charging test requires a compatible cable and socket/charger. No dismantling or certified battery capacity test.
Displayed range and state of charge, % — EV/PHEV
Traction battery SOH, %
No BMS / HV system faults (active and stored)
Cell voltage spread within limits
HV insulation: no faults or warnings
Number of DC fast charges / total cycles — EV/PHEV
Charge port(s): flap, lock, contacts, cables — EV/PHEV
Charging test: charging starts, no errors — EV/PHEV
Charging kit: Mode 3 Type 2 cable, Mode 2 domestic cable, adapters — EV/PHEV
Traction battery and inverter cooling: coolant level, leaks, pump/fan
Heating and A/C in READY, according to the model’s intended operation
Battery casing: impacts, dents and leaks in accessible areas
Documented battery warranty terms: duration and mileage
Battery ownership or lease documents, where applicable — EV/PHEV
Habitation
For motorhomes, campervans and caravans only, according to equipment and access. Functional tests require water, gas and electricity to be available. This is a pre-purchase check, not installation certification.
Roof and body seams: sealant, cracks
Windows and rooflights: panes, seals, stays, screens
Damp: corners, under windows, lockers — smell, soft panels
Floor: delamination, creaks — walk the full length
Awning: roll-out, fabric, lock, legs
Entry door, fly screen, step
Pop-top roof: mechanism, canvas, zips — Campervan/converted van
Gas locker: bottle strap, drop-out vent
Gas regulator and hoses: date, condition, odour
Hob: all burners, flame-failure device holds
Heater (Truma/diesel): start-up, warm air
Boiler: heats water (gas/230 V)
Leisure battery: type and capacity (AGM/gel/LiFePO4, Ah)
Battery under load: no voltage sag
Solar panel: mounts, glass, cable gland
Charge controller (MPPT/PWM): charging in daylight
Alternator charging (DC-DC): current with engine on
Shore power 230 V: lead, charger indicator
Inverter 230 V: powers the sockets
All-zone lighting, 12 V/USB sockets
Control panel: water/charge readings sane
Fresh tank: filling, cap, smell
Pump and taps: pressure everywhere, dry under sinks
Kitchen and washroom sinks: drains, traps
Shower: tray, doors/curtain, head, drain
Cassette toilet: blade, flush, cassette and seal
Grey tank: drain valve, smell
Fridge is cold (switched on in advance!)
Beds and slats: intact, lift mechanisms
Lockers, tables, hinges, catches: secured for driving
Belts and mounts of travel seats
Lift inspection
Optional: +€100, by arrangement and with seller permission. The catalogue includes different checks for combustion, LPG, hybrid, electric and AWD vehicles; only the relevant checks apply.
Brake hoses, pipes and cables: cracks, corrosion, leaks
Inner CV boots and driveshaft seals: splits, grease throw-out, leaks
Tie rods, track-rod ends and steering rack: play, rack boots, PAS leaks
Ball joints, control arms and rear beam/trailing arms: play, boots, deformation
Control-arm, rear-beam and subframe bushes: cracks, extrusion
Dampers and springs: leaks, broken coil, corrosion
Anti-roll bars: drop links, bushes
Wheel bearings: play and noise with the wheel off the ground
Underbody and sills from below: corrosion, deformation, impact marks
Subframes and chassis rails: fasteners, corrosion, repair welds
Sump guard/underbody shields and aero panels: integrity, fasteners
Engine/gearbox mounts (EV: drive-unit mounts): torn rubber, sag, hydraulic mount leaks
Leaks from below: engine, gearbox, axles, seals — Combustion engine; according to drivetrain
Exhaust system: integrity, hangers, catalyst/DPF present — Combustion engine; according to drivetrain
Fuel lines and tank: corrosion, leaks, tank straps — Combustion engine; according to drivetrain
LPG tank and lines: mounting, corrosion, multivalve, test date — LPG
Propshaft, differential, transfer case: leaks, U-joints, centre bearing — Combustion engine; according to drivetrain
Traction battery from below: casing, shield, fasteners, signs of opening or repair — EV/PHEV
HV cables and connectors under the floor: orange conduit, insulation, fasteners — EV/hybrid
Traction battery cooling circuit: pipes, radiator, leaks — EV/PHEV
E-motor and reducer (AWD: both units): oil leaks, driveshaft seals, mounts — EV