Buying a used car

Pre-purchase inspection: when is it worth it?

In a pre-purchase inspection an independent mechanic checks the car before you pay. It is especially worth it when the used-car report shows red flags, or when the model has known problems at that age.

When it makes sense

  • The report says ‘Be careful with this car’.
  • An A-problem was found at the last APK and there is no repair invoice.
  • The RDW calls the odometer reading illogical.
  • The model has a known problem at this age with a large repair.
  • You know little about cars yourself, or the price is a large sum for you.

How to arrange it

  1. Ask the seller whether the car may be inspected. A refusal tells you something too.
  2. Choose a garage or inspection service that has nothing to do with the seller.
  3. Give the mechanic the weak spots from the report, so they look at those on purpose.
  4. Put in the purchase agreement that the sale only goes ahead after a passed inspection.

Why a valid APK is not enough

An APK says the car met the legal minimum requirements on the day of inspection. It says nothing about wear, or what the car will need in the coming months. CarXray shows what most often goes wrong on your model at that age; an inspection checks whether that is the case for this car.

All steps in the right order, for your situation: make your buying plan

Looking at a used car? Check that car

Enter the plate and see the APK history, open recalls and how the car compares with the same model at the same age.

Frequently asked questions

Is an inspection needed if the car just passed the APK?

Not always. An APK tests the minimum requirements on the day, not wear. With red flags in the report or known problems of the model, an inspection is wise.

More on buying: Transferring the car · Insurance · Purchase agreement · Dealer or private seller · Costs

Sources

Checked on 19 October 2026. General information, not legal or insurance advice; the official source always prevails. Something out of date? Let us know.