Mileage and damage: checking a car before you buy

The mileage on the dashboard and the seller's statements need to be compared with the documents and the condition of the car. Save the listing, ask for the available service history and put direct questions about damage, repairs and inconsistencies in the information.

Which data to compare

Look at the dates and mileage readings in the available documents. If the sequence raises questions, ask for an explanation and supporting material. Wear on the steering wheel or seat does not by itself prove that the mileage has been tampered with. Diagnostics and an inspection can help reveal inconsistencies, but they do not give a universal guarantee of the full history.

It is better to record the seller's statements, the observations from the inspection and the documented facts separately. The odometer reading is noted specifically as an instrument reading. Clarify which statements and obligations the seller is prepared to include in the contract.

A private sale does not mean you have no rights at all

It cannot be said that someone buying a car from a private individual has no protection whatsoever. Under § 444 BGB the seller cannot rely on an exclusion or limitation of rights arising from a defect if he fraudulently concealed that defect or gave a guarantee for certain characteristics of the item. Text of the provision.

Whether the rule applies depends on the circumstances, the terms of the contract and the evidence. It does not mean that the buyer will win every dispute. Nor should the words “according to the previous owner” be treated as a universal release from any liability.

If a problem comes to light after the purchase

Keep the contract, the listing, the correspondence and the inspection documents. Record the inconsistency you have found and obtain a professional assessment. How to approach the seller and what claims are possible is best discussed with a lawyer on the basis of the specific transaction. Do not count in advance on a full refund, a price reduction or a particular court decision.

An inspection before the purchase helps you formulate questions and record the visible condition. It does not replace studying the contract and does not rule out every hidden defect. Discuss a pre-purchase inspection.