RAR Auto-Pass: what information it contains and how to fully check a car
Find out what information you can check about a car registered in Romania and how you can supplement mileage and ITP data with history available from both home and abroad.
What is RAR Auto-Pass?
RAR Auto-Pass is a certificate that presents certain information registered in Romania about a vehicle's history.
The document can help verify mileage evolution and identify events reported in national records. However, it is important to understand what information may appear and what other checks are necessary before buying a second-hand car.
A car may have a history formed in several countries, especially if it has been imported. In this situation, data registered after arrival in Romania does not automatically present the vehicle's entire past.
What information can be checked in Romania?
Depending on the available records for the vehicle, you can find information about:
- mileage values registered in Romania;
- the dates they were recorded;
- certain technical information about the vehicle;
- the validity of the periodic technical inspection;
- certain serious damages reported;
- the existence of unperformed recall campaigns.
The number of records differs from one car to another. A vehicle that has been driven in Romania for a longer time may have a richer chronology than one recently imported.
The absence of information does not prove that the respective event did not exist. It only means that it was not identified in the consulted sources.
The Certcar report also includes information from Romania
The Certcar report may include information from Romanian records, such as:
- registered mileage;
- the dates on which the values were recorded;
- the vehicle's technical specifications;
- ITP validity.
This information is integrated into the report along with other available data for the verified VIN. Thus, you do not have to analyse each value separately to understand the car's chronology.
In the case of mileage, records from Romania can be compared with values identified in service history and other sources available from abroad.
This comparison is particularly important for imported cars.
Why might data from Romania be insufficient for an imported car?
A car recently brought to Romania may only be registered in local databases from the moment of import.
For example, a vehicle may have:
- eight years of use in Germany;
- a single mileage registration in Romania;
- damages incurred before import;
- older photos from auctions;
- interventions carried out in foreign garages;
- previous use under leasing, fleet, or rental schemes.
If you only check information that appeared after registration in Romania, a significant part of the car's history may remain unanalysed.
For a more complete picture, the vehicle's entire journey must be tracked, not just the period it was driven in the country.
How do you check a car's mileage?
Mileage should not be evaluated using a single value. Its chronological evolution is the most relevant.
Check:
- the date of each registration;
- the country where it was recorded;
- the source of the information;
- the difference between successive values;
- the currently displayed mileage;
- any long periods without data.
A normal chronology should increase progressively. A value lower than a previously recorded one may indicate a discrepancy that needs investigation.
However, there are other possible explanations, such as incorrect value entry or instrument panel replacement. Request supporting documents before drawing a conclusion.
What does ITP validity in the report mean?
The periodic technical inspection shows whether the vehicle has a valid inspection at the time of checking.
This information is useful, but should not be confused with a complete assessment of the car's current condition.
A valid ITP does not guarantee that:
- the car has not been involved in an accident;
- there are no mechanical problems;
- the mileage has not been altered;
- repairs have been carried out correctly;
- all safety systems are functioning;
- the vehicle has not sustained damage abroad.
The technical condition must be checked separately in an independent garage.
What other information can a Certcar report contain?
In addition to information available from Romania, the Certcar report may include, depending on the vehicle and identified data:
- mileage history from multiple sources;
- reported damages and accidents;
- affected areas of the car;
- estimated repair values;
- previous photos;
- appearances in auctions or advertisements;
- service and maintenance history;
- factory-fitted equipment;
- commercial use;
- theft records;
- recall campaigns;
- emissions information;
- Euro NCAP results;
- market value estimation.
The availability of this information differs for each VIN. No source can guarantee that all events in a car's life have been reported and recorded.
How do you interpret the information together?
Information becomes more relevant when analysed together.
For example, the report may show:
- a mileage value registered abroad;
- damage reported a few months later;
- photos of the car before repair;
- a new mileage value after import;
- the date and validity of the ITP in Romania.
Each piece of information taken separately offers only part of the story. Arranged chronologically, the data can more clearly show the vehicle's journey and use.
Then compare this chronology with:
- the advertisement's description;
- the documents presented;
- the seller's statements;
- the current mileage;
- the car's physical condition;
- the result of the garage inspection.
Are RAR Auto-Pass and the VIN report the same thing?
No. RAR Auto-Pass is a distinct document, based on information registered in Romania.
The Certcar report checks the VIN across multiple sources and can combine both information from Romania and available data about the vehicle's history from other countries.
The two should not be confused. For the buyer, the objective is to consult as much relevant information as possible and understand the limitations of each source.
Is a report sufficient to buy the car?
No. The report can help you identify risks before wasting time with viewing, but it cannot replace a physical inspection.
Before purchasing:
- compare the VIN on the car with the documents;
- check the available history;
- inspect the bodywork;
- measure the paint thickness;
- perform an electronic diagnosis;
- test drive the car;
- check the vehicle on a lift;
- request service documents;
- ask for explanations for any discrepancies.
If the history, condition, and information provided by the seller are not consistent, postpone the purchase until the situation is clarified.
Check the car before viewing
A check performed using the VIN can help you discover information in advance about mileage, ITP, specifications, damages, photos, service, and the car's previous use.
Enter the VIN on Certcar and check the available information from Romania and abroad before making a purchase decision.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Certcar report contain information from Romania?
Yes. Depending on the vehicle, the report may include mileage registered in Romania, technical specifications, and information about ITP validity.
Can I check in Certcar if the ITP is valid?
The report can display information about ITP validity when it is available for the checked vehicle.
Does the report also show mileage registered abroad?
Yes, the report may include mileage values identified in sources from Romania and other countries. Availability differs for each car.
Does a valid ITP mean the car has no problems?
No. ITP validity does not guarantee the absence of damages, mechanical problems, or improper repairs. The car must also be checked in an independent garage.
If no damages appear, has the car not been hit?
Not necessarily. Events that have not been reported or recorded in available sources may not appear in the report. Physical inspection remains essential.
Does Certcar replace RAR Auto-Pass?
No. RAR Auto-Pass is a distinct official document. The Certcar report provides a broader check of available history and can include both data from Romania and information from other countries.
With over 15 years of experience in sales and a solid track record in the premium car segment, Marius brings to Certcar's content a perspective shaped directly by working with people and the used car market. The articles are practical and easy to understand, built on the real situations and questions that come up when buying a car.
