Frequently asked questions

The VIN is a car's unique identification code. In most cases it has 17 characters and contains information about the manufacturer, model and configuration. Certcar uses it to search for the available data about the vehicle's history.

The VIN can be found in the registration certificate, in the vehicle identity card or directly on the car, usually at the bottom of the windscreen, on the door pillar or in the engine bay.

Yes. To generate the report you only need the VIN. The car's registration number is not required.

Check that you have entered all 17 characters and that you have not mixed up letters and digits. For example, the digit “0” can be confused with the letter “O”. Some older vehicles may have VINs in a different format.

Yes. You can ask the seller for the VIN and generate the report before the viewing. This way you can spot potential damage, mileage inconsistencies or other important information in advance.

Depending on the data available for the vehicle, the report can include damage and accidents, mileage, service history, previous photos, factory equipment, commercial use, theft checks, service recalls, emissions, a market valuation and ITP information.

The report is generated automatically, usually within a few seconds after the payment is confirmed. In some situations, collecting and processing the data may take longer.

The report can be accessed directly from your Certcar account. All purchased reports remain saved in your account so you can consult them later.

Yes. The report can be accessed from a phone, tablet or computer, without installing an app.

Yes. The report can be viewed online and downloaded to keep or share.

The report remains saved in your Certcar account, so you can consult it after the check is complete.

Certcar can identify and check vehicles from more than 40 countries. However, the amount of information varies depending on the country of origin, the age of the car and the available records.

Yes. Certcar checks sources from several countries and can also be used for imported cars. Coverage and available information may vary from one country to another.

No. The report shows the car's available history, but it cannot identify the current technical condition or problems that were never recorded. We recommend using the report together with a physical inspection at an authorised workshop.

Certcar compares the mileage values available in the vehicle's history and displays them chronologically. This way you can see how the mileage evolved and spot any inconsistencies.

A value lower than a previous record may indicate a possible mileage alteration. However, some differences can also come from data entry errors, a replaced instrument cluster or other situations that require further checks.

Records can come from the service history, technical inspections, automotive databases and other sources available for the checked vehicle. Sources and coverage vary by country and car.

The car may not have been recorded in the available sources, or it may have been maintained at workshops that do not share such data. The absence of records does not confirm the mileage shown by the car.

Yes, if information is available. The report can include the dates of the interventions, the recorded mileage and the types of operations performed.

Not all workshops share information with the databases we check. Work done independently or at certain unauthorised workshops may not appear in the car's history.

Enter the VIN in Certcar. If there are damage events in the sources we check, they will be shown in the report together with the available details.

The report can include the date of the event, the country, the affected areas, the level of damage, the estimated value and photos, when this information is available.

The value may represent an estimate made at the time of the assessment, not necessarily the final repair cost. The actual price can vary depending on parts, labour, country and repair method.

Yes, if images associated with the VIN have been identified. They can come from listings, auctions or previously recorded events.

Not necessarily. The report shows the events that exist in the sources we check. Damage repaired without being declared or recorded may not appear. That is why we also recommend a physical inspection of the car.

Not automatically. What matters is the severity of the damage, the affected areas and the quality of the repair. The report helps you identify what to check more carefully before making a decision.

Yes, for the makes and models covered. The report can show the engine, the configuration and the equipment the car was built with.

The build sheet shows the vehicle's original configuration, including the engine, the colour and the factory-installed equipment, depending on the information available for that make.

Yes. Certcar checks the VIN against the stolen vehicle databases it has access to. Coverage varies by country.

The report can indicate commercial use when it is recorded in the sources we check. The absence of a record does not guarantee that the vehicle was never used commercially.

Yes, the report can show the recall campaigns associated with the model. To confirm an active recall and have the work carried out, we recommend contacting an authorised workshop for the make.

For vehicles registered in Romania, the report can include the available information about the periodic technical inspection (ITP).

The value is an indicative estimate based on the vehicle's characteristics, mileage and available market data. The final price can vary depending on condition, equipment, maintenance and demand at the time of sale.

A Certcar account lets you buy reports, use your available credits and find all the checks you have made in one place.

The price is shown before you confirm the order. The cost can vary depending on the type of report or the credit package you choose.

Payment is made online, by card, through a secure system. Once the payment is confirmed, the report is generated automatically.

First check the reports section in your account. If the report does not appear or the generation did not complete, contact the Certcar team and send the VIN and the email address used for the order.

Contact the Certcar team and send the VIN you entered, the correct VIN and the email address used for the order. Our team will review the situation and the available options.

The number of records varies from one car to another and cannot be guaranteed. A report with less data is not automatically incomplete if all the included checks were performed. Requests are reviewed according to the Certcar Terms and conditions, and may be resolved by crediting your account if the situation meets the applicable conditions.

Payments are processed by a specialised provider. Certcar does not receive or store full card details.

Yes. You can buy a credit package and check several cars from the same account. This is useful when you are comparing several vehicles before buying.

You can send us a message through the contact form or directly at [email protected]. For issues related to a report, include the VIN and the email address used for the order.

Yes. Certcar offers dedicated solutions for car dealers, used car lots, fleets and companies that check vehicles frequently.

Business accounts can benefit from centralised access to reports, packages adapted to volume and simpler management of the checks performed.

Yes. The offer can be adapted to the estimated number of checks. For a personalised proposal, you can contact us through the business page.

Yes. Dealers and used car lots can use Certcar to check vehicles before purchase, intake or listing.

Multi-user access depends on the configuration of the business account. The Certcar team can help you choose the right solution for your company.

Fill in the form on the “For business” page and tell us your estimated volume of checks. The Certcar team will get back to you with a tailored offer.

The affiliate program lets you recommend Certcar to your community and earn a commission on the orders placed through your affiliate code or link.

The program is aimed at content creators, publications, automotive communities, dealers and other partners who can recommend Certcar services to a relevant audience.

Fill in the sign-up form on the “Affiliate program” page. After reviewing your request, the Certcar team will send you the information needed to activate your account.

Orders are tracked through your personal affiliate code or link. Your activity and results can be viewed in the affiliate account dashboard.

In the affiliate dashboard you can track eligible orders and accumulated commissions.

Eligible commissions are calculated and paid monthly, according to the terms of the affiliate program.

Depending on the type of collaboration, partners can receive a personalised code to share with their community.

You can use your link or code in online content, articles, videos and social media posts, in line with the program terms and the Certcar visual identity.

Certcar materials and logo may be used only under the conditions communicated by the Certcar team and without altering the brand's visual identity.

Send us information about your activity, the platforms you use and the size of your community. The Certcar team will review your proposal and get back to you with a collaboration option.