Real Pre-Purchase Inspection Cases

Every inspection ends in a report with photos, paint-thickness readings and OBD diagnostics. Here we publish real cases: what we found, how much the client saved — and when we said walk away.

Tesla Model 3 2020, 181 711 km

📅 04/09/2026

Tesla Model 3 2020, 181 711 km

Asking price: €16 500

What we found

  • Resprayed panels with disturbed factory seams: front bumper (dent), boot lid (corrosion under paint), rear right quarter — a history of body repair
  • Cracked panoramic roof — needs replacing; a chip on the roof; rear left window replaced in 2023
  • Driver's door hinges need replacing — the door has dropped
  • Corrosion on the boot floor; the underbody/battery shield is torn and partly missing
  • Front left wheel: sidewall damage on the tyre and a damaged rim
  • Battery state of health (SOH) and the OBD log were captured and handed to the client
clean — recommended buying

Inspector's conclusion

Our verdict — recommended: the price sits €5–8k below the market range in our database, the EV side and battery were checked via OBD and are fine, and the body-work list is known upfront and fits inside that gap. The case where a cheap Tesla is not a trap but a purchase made with open eyes.

Asking €16,500 against a market range in our database of €21,300–25,000 for this year and mileage.

View full case →
Land Rover Discovery 2017, 145 581 km

📅 02/09/2026

Land Rover Discovery 2017, 145 581 km

Asking price: €30 900

What we found

  • Intercooler leak — critical; get a repair quote before buying
  • Resprayed panels by paint gauge: front right door and wing, rear right quarter and door, front left door, tailgate
  • Windscreen replaced in 2021; scratches on the tailgate and front left door
  • Rear wheels — tyre wear needs attention; rear brakes measured
  • Service history: oil, timing drive and gearbox oil are word-of-mouth only, no evidence
clean — recommended buying

Inspector's conclusion

Our verdict — recommended: body and mechanicals are honest for 145,000 km, the one serious item — the intercooler leak — is known upfront, and the price sits at the bottom of the market range in our database (€30,900–33,800). The intercooler quote is a ready-made argument to take it home for even less.

View full case →
Mercedes-AMG CLA 2020, 75 173 km

📅 02/09/2026

Mercedes-AMG CLA 2020, 75 173 km

What we found

  • The engine drops into limp mode on the move; heavy soot in the exhaust; noticeable slip when pulling away
  • Brakes: rear discs and pads due, front pads due (front discs fine)
  • Steering rack replaced with a new one, new tie-rod ends; a shock-absorber boot needs replacing
  • Body: left wing replaced, signs of parts removal, serious damage to an inner panel; windscreen replaced in 2022, both headlights replaced
  • Rear right wheel shows signs of hard use; noisy fan; one key only
report delivered to the client

Inspector's conclusion

Low mileage, but the car has clearly had a hard life: a new steering rack and tie-rods point to repair after an impact, and the engine's limp mode and soot need diagnosis before any talk of price. All measurements and findings were handed to the client for negotiation.

View full case →
Audi Q7 2015, 216 555 km

📅 01/09/2026

Audi Q7 2015, 216 555 km

Asking price: €35 400

What we found

  • Small cracks in the headlight housings
  • Local resprays by paint gauge: rear right quarter, rear right door, right A-pillar, front left wing
  • Paint readings on every panel — the rest of the body is in factory paint
  • Servicing (oil, timing, gearbox oil) is the seller's word only, not documented
clean — recommended buying

Inspector's conclusion

Our verdict — recommended: for 216,000 km the car is in excellent mechanical shape, with no serious findings and only local, cosmetic resprays. The price is inside the market range in our database (€29,500–37,000); the unverified service history is the one argument to nudge it down a little.

View full case →
BMW 216 2016, 173 524 km

📅 27/08/2026

BMW 216 2016, 173 524 km

What we found

  • Engine in limp mode: poor acceleration, hard starting, a dashboard full of warning lights, squeaks on start-up
  • Oil dirty and below the mark — urgent change needed; leaks on the right side, a smell of burning oil; belts due
  • Chassis: no alignment, pulls and wanders on the road, uneven tyre wear, front control arms need replacing, steering-wheel shake
  • Body: doors have been off, no gap at the front left, right headlight and rear right light replaced, paint in poor condition
  • Interior: A/C barely cools (left side only), cracked screen, no panoramic blind, one key only
advised against buying

Inspector's conclusion

We advised against buying. The car is in very poor mechanical condition: an engine in limp mode on top of an evidently bad earlier repair, plus chassis and body issues. This is not one to negotiate on — it is one to walk away from.

View full case →
Peugeot 2008 2019, 79 000 km

📅 24/08/2026

Peugeot 2008 2019, 79 000 km

Asking price: €14 900

What we found

  • The whole body has been resprayed; too much filler in places, the right sill is in filler
  • Both front headlights replaced
  • Oxidation under the bonnet; injectors have been replaced
  • A slight noise from the front left while driving
  • Mechanically serviced: oil, filters and belt at 79,000 km — no serious findings
report delivered to the client

Inspector's conclusion

The bodywork is in very poor condition — the car has been fully repainted with filler — yet it is priced right at the market median (€14,980 across 51 listings). Mechanically it is sound. Polishing will improve the look for roughly €400–450, but a fully resprayed body should be priced well below market.

View full case →
Toyota Aygo 2007, 235 000 km

📅 24/08/2026

Toyota Aygo 2007, 235 000 km

Asking price: €3 400

What we found

  • Heavy knocking from the steering rack and the left side of the suspension; the front suspension needs repair and alignment
  • Clutch nearly worn out — first gear is hard to engage
  • Tyres: dangerous cracks on the rear ones, the fronts are from 2013 — all four need replacing
  • Fully resprayed except the roof, filler in places; non-original left headlight (TYC), right glass replaced in 2022
  • Brakes respond late — feels like air in the system; the driver's window does not work
advised against buying

Inspector's conclusion

We advised against buying. At €3,400 (market €3,700) the mandatory repairs — suspension, clutch, four tyres, brakes — cost more than the difference to a healthier example. The client kept looking.

View full case →
Ford Transit 2015, 146 094 km

📅 20/08/2026

Ford Transit 2015, 146 094 km

What we found

  • Body in factory paint on every panel — readings 63–118 µm
  • Mileage confirmed: fresh service at 146,009 km (oil, filters)
  • Original 2015 battery — replace or recharge
  • Power-steering fluid due for replacement; coolant fine
  • Rear tyres need replacing, front right wheel needs balancing
  • Original headlights, polishing recommended
  • Slight turbo whistle — acceptable for this engine, pulls well
  • One owner on the documents
clean — recommended buying

Inspector's conclusion

Very well kept for a commercial van: factory paint all around, confirmed mileage and fresh servicing. The to-do list is maintenance, not repairs: battery, PS fluid, rear tyres and balancing. We recommended buying.

View full case →
Mini Cooper S Clubman 2016, 163 000 km

📅 18/08/2026

Mini Cooper S Clubman 2016, 163 000 km

What we found

  • Two local cosmetic resprays (145 µm reading), the rest of the body in factory paint
  • Windscreen replaced in 2023, all other glass original
  • Fresh service (June 2026): oil, filters; oil level fine
  • Wheel alignment needed
  • Run-flat tyres are noisy — a trait of these tyres, not a fault
  • Steering wheel and driver seat wear — cosmetic work
  • Launch OBD scan: no critical codes, report handed to the client
clean — recommended buying

Inspector's conclusion

The car is in good shape: just two cosmetic resprays on the body and no mechanical complaints. To do: wheel alignment and light cosmetics on the wheel and seat. We recommended buying.

View full case →
Toyota Aygo 2005, 162 972 km

📅 15/08/2026

Toyota Aygo 2005, 162 972 km

Asking price: €3 500

What we found

  • Resprayed in a couple of places with filler — decently done; the right door and right wing have been off
  • Bumpers out of alignment front and rear; uneven panel gaps
  • Clutch nearly worn — bites right at the bottom
  • A/C works but the belt squeals; alignment needed
  • Tyres from 2020; serviced in October 2025 at 155,361 km: oil, filters, plugs
report delivered to the client

Inspector's conclusion

A typical city Aygo: there has been body repair, but it was done neatly, and the mechanicals are alive. The main negotiation item is the clutch, which is on its last months, plus alignment and the A/C belt.

View full case →
Volvo XC40 2025, 19 364 km

📅 12/08/2026

Volvo XC40 2025, 19 364 km

What we found

  • Condition of a new car; two local cosmetic resprays
  • Paint readings 54–114 µm across panels — within factory range
  • Pirelli tyres, DOT 2025–2026, even wear
  • Interior unworn: steering wheel and pedals like new
  • No OBD codes; serviced on schedule (10,000 km)
clean — recommended buying

Inspector's conclusion

A nearly new car: factory paint by the readings, fresh tyres, unworn interior. The two local resprays are pure cosmetics. We recommended buying; fair market price is around €40,000.

View full case →
Kia Ceed 2013, 107 000 km

📅 09/08/2026

Kia Ceed 2013, 107 000 km

What we found

  • Paint meter: rear bumper and rear right door resprayed (up to 220 µm); all other panels factory (43–108 µm)
  • Bonnet/bumper gap smaller on the left — trace of past body repair
  • Windscreen replaced
  • Mileage confirmed: service records (last service ~107,200 km — oil, filters, alternator belt) and interior condition
  • Tyres of different years: 2020 and 2026, tread fine
  • Battery from 2022; electric power steering
  • Second owner; Launch OBD report handed to the client
report delivered to the client

Inspector's conclusion

The mileage is genuine — confirmed by the service history and by the condition of the interior and electronics. On the body: resprayed rear bumper and rear right door, a tighter gap on the left after repair. Mechanically healthy; the findings are arguments for negotiating.

We advised the client to negotiate on the findings.

View full case →
Mazda MX-5 1997, 224 597 km

📅 06/08/2026

Mazda MX-5 1997, 224 597 km

Asking price: €10 000

What we found

  • Engine oil leak — must be fixed; water instead of coolant in the cooling system
  • Battery needs replacing; accessory belts due
  • Front wheel-arch liner missing; the body needs polishing and the interior a deep clean
  • No valid IPO inspection
  • For its age and mileage the car is in good condition
report delivered to the client

Inspector's conclusion

An honest classic roadster with a clear to-do list: oil leak, coolant, battery, belts, cosmetics and the inspection. Every item is a concrete sum — and that is what we negotiated from at €10,000.

View full case →
Mini Cooper Clubman 2016, 139 000 km

📅 05/08/2026

Mini Cooper Clubman 2016, 139 000 km

Asking price: €15 950

What we found

  • Many resprayed panels, two with filler; the front right, rear right and front left doors have been off
  • Fault codes on the intake swirl flaps; slight engine vibration; oil consumption of 200–300 ml
  • Interior wear is suspiciously high for the stated mileage
  • Front tyres with damaged shoulders — replacement advised; uneven front-axle wear, alignment needed
  • Windscreen replaced (Pilkington, 2019); service at 132,500 km confirmed
report delivered to the client

Inspector's conclusion

Tidy on the outside, but the body-repair history is extensive and the interior wear does not match the mileage — that is the main question for the seller. Add the swirl-flap codes and the engine vibration. At €15,950 — only after an intake diagnosis and with a matching discount.

View full case →
VW Eos 2.0 TDI 2008, 188 327 km

📅 31/07/2026

VW Eos 2.0 TDI 2008, 188 327 km

Asking price: €9 000

What we found

  • Factory paint on every panel, even gaps
  • Mechanically faultless: engine, gearbox, suspension, brakes
  • The folding hard-top works as it should
  • All electrics checked; rear parking sensors; electric power steering
  • One key only; no auto-dimming mirror
clean — recommended buying

Inspector's conclusion

Immaculate for its age and mileage — one of the rare cases where the inspection ended with an unreserved recommendation to buy. The car went into our own stock.

View full case →
Audi A5 Cabriolet 2016, 138 000 km

📅 22/07/2026

Audi A5 Cabriolet 2016, 138 000 km

Asking price: €23 900

What we found

  • The car has been in an accident: the safety-systems control unit has been replaced, safety fault codes stored
  • Timing drive never replaced — due now
  • Slight vibration from the gearbox while driving
  • Front brake discs due (pads 6 mm front, 10 mm rear); oil below the mark; original 2016 battery
  • A crease on the rear seat bolster; the car was handed over already warm — no cold start possible; a full under-bonnet check was not allowed
advised against buying

Inspector's conclusion

We advised against buying. A replaced safety control unit despite a "clean" history according to the seller, an overdue timing drive, gearbox vibration and restricted access for inspection — too many red flags at €23,900.

View full case →
Nissan Qashqai 2011, 139 047 km

📅 20/07/2026

Nissan Qashqai 2011, 139 047 km

Asking price: €9 000

What we found

  • Crack in the panoramic roof glass — the seller has committed to replacing it; front right door glass replaced
  • Front bumper resprayed with a chip; dent on the rear bumper
  • Corrosion on the interior mirror mount
  • Sunroof sealing needs attention
  • No record of the gearbox oil ever being changed
  • Mixed tyre brands: DOT 2020 and 2022, front tyres due for replacement
report delivered to the client

Inspector's conclusion

For €9,000 the condition is broadly age-appropriate, but there are questions: a cracked panoramic roof (which the seller will replace), a replaced door glass, corrosion, mixed tyres with worn fronts and an unknown gearbox service history. Each of these is an argument for negotiating.

View full case →
Nissan Qashqai 2008, 54 000 km

📅 17/07/2026

Nissan Qashqai 2008, 54 000 km

What we found

  • Bonnet not sitting in factory panel gaps
  • Both right-hand doors have been off; both side mirrors resprayed
  • Corrosion on the tailgate
  • Engine bay freshly washed — possible leak traces hidden; coolant above the level mark
  • The claimed 54,000 km is not backed up: no service history after 2016, visible pedal wear
  • IPO inspection history provided only in part
  • Battery from late 2022
report delivered to the client

Inspector's conclusion

An ageing car whose claimed low mileage is not confirmed by documents. Plenty of body and engine caveats — we advised the client to negotiate on every point.

View full case →
Mercedes-AMG SL 63 2022, 50 831 km

📅 15/07/2026

Mercedes-AMG SL 63 2022, 50 831 km

What we found

  • Impact marks on the underbody with broken plastic; scratched engine guard with a piece missing
  • Front bumper has been off; many deep scratches, stone chips on both front wings
  • Rear bumper resprayed — overspray and craters; loose V8 badge trim on a wing
  • About 1 litre of engine oil missing; sweating around the engine bay
  • Signs of turbo overheating (discolouration)
  • Damp floor mat in the rear right
  • Rear right power window not working
  • Front suspension bushings need replacing
  • Uneven tyre wear; damaged front right wheel
  • Interior: creased seat bolster, scratches on the steering wheel and headliner
report delivered to the client

Inspector's conclusion

Too many signs of hard use for a 2022 car: an underbody impact, low oil, turbo overheating marks, moisture in the cabin, a dead power window and cosmetics all around. We handed the client the full list with a recommendation to price these in and to check the car on a lift before the deal.

View full case →
Volvo XC40 2022, 27 738 km

📅 15/07/2026

Volvo XC40 2022, 27 738 km

What we found

  • Bonnet and front left wing resprayed; chip on the rear bumper
  • Tool marks on wing bolts and door hinges — panels have been off
  • Signs of work on the front bumper mounts
  • Active engine fault codes in OBD (logged in the report)
  • Cracks on the tyre sidewalls
  • Roof covered with a wrap film
report delivered to the client

Inspector's conclusion

A young car with low mileage, but the body is not untouched: the bonnet and a wing are resprayed and front panels have been off — front-end repair is likely. Add active OBD fault codes and cracked tyres. We advised requesting the repair history and reflecting every finding in the price.

View full case →
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 2000, 138 357 km

📅 13/07/2026

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 2000, 138 357 km

What we found

  • Impact to the rear right: deformed boot floor, filler on the rear right wing, rear bumper has been off and repaired
  • Rear right boot window replaced, boot aperture repainted
  • Corrosion on the roof and a pillar
  • Transfer case is leaking; fresh drips under the car after the test drive
  • Coolant and power-steering fluid above the maximum mark
  • The car pulls to the right; vibration at 80–120 km/h
  • Black exhaust smoke — injectors need bench testing
  • Rear brake discs need replacing
  • Sunroof not working; stains on the headliner
report delivered to the client

Inspector's conclusion

We recommend sealing the leaking transfer case, checking the steering — the car pulls to the right — and doing a full inspection on a lift. With the price negotiated down for the findings, we recommended buying.

After the inspection we advised the client to negotiate on every finding.

View full case →
Toyota Hiace 2004, 183 963 km

📅 11/07/2026

Toyota Hiace 2004, 183 963 km

What we found

  • Paint meter: up to 1,200 µm on the bonnet and tailgate, 972 µm on a pillar — the body is fully resprayed, panels differ in tone
  • Weld seams: a chassis rail has been welded — structural repair after an impact; impact marks on the underbody
  • Left door and bonnet have been off; dent on the front right wing, chips around the body
  • Windscreen and left window replaced; right seat belt replaced
  • The seller is not the registered owner (DUA)
  • Engine oil at minimum; coolant needs topping up and replacement
  • Whistle on start-up — fan viscous coupling needs replacing; clutch release bearing worn
  • Ball joints and left CV boot need replacing; vibration under braking — front brake discs
  • Tyres dated 2011, worn spare; multimedia unit not working
report delivered to the client

Inspector's conclusion

A van after major body repair: a welded chassis rail, a full respray with mismatched tones and impact marks on the underbody. Mechanically the list is long too — from the clutch to the fan coupling — and the seller is not the registered owner. Buying makes sense only at a price that reflects all the risks and the repairs ahead.

View full case →

Want this report before you buy your car?

We inspect the car before you pay a deposit: 145 checkpoints, photos, OBD scan and price negotiation. Message us on WhatsApp.

WhatsApp Pre-purchase inspection

⭐ Did we inspect for you? Leave a Google review

WhatsApp