Buying a car from the Netherlands? Check the history by VIN.
Discover the available information on damage, mileage, service, equipment and previous use before you buy or arrange transport.
Electric, plug-in hybrid or diesel?
The type of powertrain changes the checks you need to make before buying.
Check the damage history, factory equipment and any available interventions. The current state of the battery requires a separate test.
Review the service history and physically check the electric system as well as the combustion engine and the charging system.
Follow the mileage and the history of interventions. Separately check the condition of the DPF, EGR and AdBlue systems, where fitted.
Find out how the car was used
Price and appearance do not always tell you how intensively the vehicle was used.
The report can show commercial use information when it is available.
Check whether there are records of previous rental or transport use.
The available history can also contain records from other countries the vehicle passed through.
On electrified cars, the equipment matters
Two cars that look identical can have different batteries, charging systems and equipment. Compare the factory configuration with the information presented in the listing.
Check the specifications available for the model identified by the VIN.
Compare the original equipment and ask the seller which cables and accessories are included.
Check for the heat pump, heated seats or other declared equipment, when the data is available.
The report does not measure the battery's degradation or current capacity. A dedicated diagnosis is needed for that.
What we check for a car from the Netherlands
See the damage events and previous images available for the car.
Follow the mileage readings and service interventions identified in the vehicle's history.
Check the available information on leasing, fleet, rental or transport use.
Compare the engine, battery and factory equipment with the information presented in the listing.
Damage on an electric car must be inspected carefully
On an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle, a damage event can also affect components located in the floor of the car. The report can provide information about available events and photos, but it cannot confirm the current state of the battery or the high-voltage system.
If the report indicates damage, ask for an inspection by a workshop that can check electrified vehicles.
Before you book transport from the Netherlands
Do not check the car using only the registration number or the information in the listing.
Check the engine, battery and equipment before comparing the price with other offers.
Ask for photos and videos of the exterior, interior, dashboard and charging process.
The report should be completed with an inspection and a diagnosis before buying.
Frequently asked questions
Can I check a car from the Netherlands without the local registration number?
Yes. The VIN (chassis number) is required to generate the Certcar report.
Can I find out the battery condition of an electric car from the report?
No. The current capacity and level of degradation must be checked through a dedicated battery test.
Can I check whether the car has a heat pump or fast charging?
This equipment can appear in the factory configuration when the information is available for the VIN entered.
Do the charging cables appear in the report?
The report can show the original configuration, but the accessories currently supplied with the car must be confirmed directly with the seller.
Can I find out whether a car from the Netherlands was used for leasing or as a fleet car?
The report can show commercial use information when it is available.
Why do some periods have no mileage or service records?
Not all interventions and readings are reported to the sources consulted. The absence of a record does not prove that the car was not used or maintained.
Can I check the history of a car after it was exported from the Netherlands?
Yes. The VIN stays the same, and the report can include information available from several countries.