How to Check a Used Car Before Buying It

Before looking at the car, ask to see all documents. In Spain, the mandatory documents are:

• Permiso de circulación (registration permit) — must be original. Verify plate, VIN and seller's name match.
• Ficha técnica / Tarjeta ITV (technical card) — technical data: power, weight, first registration date, DGT environmental label. Verify modifications are homologated.
• Sale contract — if seller is a dealer, invoice with VAT. Between individuals, a signed contract suffices.
• Proof of IVTM payment (circulation tax) for the previous year — DGT requires it for transfer.
• Valid ITV certificate — mandatory if vehicle is over 4 years old.
• Seller's DNI/NIE — verify identity matches the registered owner.

The DGT offers several report types. Request at minimum a full report.

Report types

• Reduced report — Free. First registration date and any incidents preventing transfer or circulation.
• Full report — €8.67 (fee 4.1). Owner identity, municipality, ITV history, recorded mileage, number of previous owners, liens, technical data, pending safety recalls, Euro NCAP score and maintenance history.
• Liens report — limitations and encumbrances only.
• Technical data report — power, fuel, max mass, ITV history, Euro NCAP.

How to request

• Online at DGT Sede Electrónica with digital certificate or Cl@ve
• miDGT mobile app
• In person at a Tráfico office (appointment required)
• Phone 060

The ITV frequency is set by Royal Decree 920/2017:

• 0–4 years from first registration: exempt
• 4–10 years: every 2 years (biennial)
• Over 10 years: annual

This applies to passenger cars (category M1). Motorcycles, vans and special vehicles have different frequencies.

What ITV history reveals

• Recorded mileage at each inspection — detects odometer tampering
• Inspection results — pass, fail with minor/major defects
• Next ITV date — if expired, vehicle cannot legally circulate
• Technical modifications — whether reforms were homologated

Odometer fraud is one of the most common used car scams. A car showing 80,000 km may have actually done 180,000.

How to verify

• Full DGT report — mileages recorded at each ITV. If mileage decreases between inspections, it's fraud.
• Service book — invoices often show mileage. Check consistency.
• Electronic maintenance book — repairs logged with mileage at DGT-adherent workshops.
• Tire and brake history — frequent replacements for low displayed mileage are suspicious.

Signs of inconsistent mileage

• Worn clutch/brake pedals for supposedly low mileage
• Glossy, worn steering wheel
• Sagging driver's seat
• Digital odometer that appears replaced
• No service invoices or empty book

Inspect in daylight, never in a dark garage or rain:

Bodywork

• Paint uniformity — different shades between panels indicate repainting.
• Panel gaps — spaces between panels should be even. Irregular gaps signal poorly repaired crash damage.
• Rust — check wheel arches, door bottoms, trunk sills. Surface rust is treatable; perforating rust is structural.
• Bolts — painted bolts with no tool marks = original paint. Tool marks = removal.

Glass and lights

• All windows should have the same marking (except replaced windshield). Different brands on side windows = post-accident replacement.
• Check lights: cracks, opacity, internal condensation.

Tires

• Minimum legal tread depth in Spain: 1.6 mm. Recommended: 3 mm.
• Irregular wear = alignment or suspension issue.
• DOT code: tires over 6 years lose properties.

The interior reveals the true maintenance level:

• Odors — musty = water infiltration. Burning smell = oil leak on exhaust or electrical issue.
• Seats — check driver's seat wear. Excessive wear with low mileage is suspicious. Test electric adjustment, heating, ventilation.
• Dashboard — look for cracks, warning lights that don't illuminate (may have been disconnected).
• Air conditioning — test: immediate cold in summer, heat in winter.
• Steering wheel controls — all buttons work: wipers, turn signals, lights, horn, cruise control.
• Mats and carpet — lift mats: moisture or rust = infiltration.
• Headliner — water stains = sunroof or windshield seal leak.

Open the hood and inspect methodically:

Fluid levels

• Engine oil — check level and color. 'Coffee with milk' color = coolant mixed in (blown head gasket — very expensive repair).
• Coolant — should be colored (green, pink, blue) with no oil traces. Brown deposits = head gasket leak.
• Brake fluid — amber and clear. Black = needs replacement. Low level = possible leak.
• Power steering fluid — check level and no pump noise.

Visual inspection

• Leaks — look under engine with flashlight. Oil traces on pan, head or gearbox = leaks.
• Belts — timing belt (if visible) and accessory belt. Cracks = replacement needed.
• Battery — clean terminals, no corrosion. Over 4 years = may fail soon.
• Wires — no frayed wires, no corroded connectors.

Brakes

• Pad thickness — through wheel spokes, check visually. Under 3 mm = imminent replacement.
• Discs — deep grooves or blue spots (overheating).
• Brake pedal — engine running, should be firm. Sinking = master cylinder failure.
• ABS — light should illuminate then turn off. Staying on = fault.

Suspension

• Shock absorber test — press firmly on each corner and release. Should stabilize immediately. Bouncing = worn shocks.
• Noises — clunks over bumps = ball joints or bushings.
• Irregular tire wear = alignment issue.

Steering

• Play — turn wheel without moving wheels. Excessive play = rack wear.
• Power steering — groaning when turning = pump or low fluid.
• Pulling — on flat road, vehicle should track straight.

At startup, all warning lights should illuminate briefly then turn off. If one never lights up, it may have been disconnected to hide a fault.

Critical lights to check

• Check Engine — if staying on, OBD-II detected a fault. Get a diagnostic scan (reader: €20-40).
• Oil pressure — should turn off immediately after start. Staying on = stop engine immediately.
• ABS — staying on = ABS fault.
• Airbag — staying on = airbags may not deploy. Critical safety issue.
• Battery/charge — staying on with engine running = alternator not charging.
• Temperature — should stay cold at startup. Rising fast = cooling problem.
• ESP/Traction — staying on = stability control disabled.

Ask the seller not to start the vehicle before your arrival. A pre-warmed engine can mask starting problems.

What to observe

• Quick start — engine should start in 2-3 seconds max. Long cranking = battery, spark plug, glow plug (diesel) or compression issue.
• Exhaust smoke: white that disappears quickly = normal condensation. Persistent white = coolant in combustion chamber (head gasket). Blue = burning oil. Black (diesel) = rich injection, EGR or DPF.
• Noises — knocking, rattling, whistling. A healthy engine should be smooth and quiet.
• Idle — stable after 30 seconds. Fluctuations = sensor or injector issue.

The test drive is non-negotiable. Never sign without driving the vehicle. Minimum 20-30 minutes covering different road types.

Before setting off

• Adjust seat, mirrors and wheel — verify all adjustments work
• Verify seller has valid license and vehicle is insured

During the drive

• City — hill start, clutch (no slipping), gearbox (all gears without grinding), emergency braking on safe road.
• Highway — reach 120 km/h: no steering vibration, no pulling.
• Corners — test handling and listen for suspension noises.
• Braking — should brake in a straight line. Deviation = caliper problem.
• Automatic transmission — smooth shifts. Clunking = internal wear.

After the drive

• Idle 2 minutes — observe temperature, listen to engine
• Check under engine: no new leaks
• Smell: burning or fuel odor is abnormal

Indicators of a poorly repaired accident vehicle:

• Non-uniform paint — paint thickness gauge: over 200 microns = repainted. Over 400 = body filler.
• Filler traces — run your hand over panels: irregular or grainy surface under paint = filler.
• Bolts with tool marks = panel removal.
• Uneven door gaps = poorly repaired side impact.
• Tone difference between panels.
• Chassis under hood — creases or non-original welds on longitudinal members. A bent and straightened member is a structural danger.
• Different brand windows = panel replaced after crash.
• Airbags — poorly replaced airbag may have misaligned steering wheel cover. Check airbag light.

A complete maintenance history is the best indicator of future reliability. Ask to see:

• Service book — stamps and invoices. Verify intervals were respected.
• Repair invoices — a car with detailed invoices is generally better maintained.
• DGT electronic maintenance book — repairs at adherent workshops are digitally recorded.
• Timing belt — kit costs €300-1,000 depending on country and engine. Replace every 5-10 years or 100,000-180,000 km.
• Clutch — lifespan 150,000-250,000 km on manual transmissions.
• DPF/GPF — replacement costs €600-2,500 depending on country and vehicle.

The VIN (17 characters) must match on all documents and on the vehicle.

Where to find the VIN

• Technical card (ficha técnica)
• Registration permit (permiso de circulación)
• DGT report
• Stamped on chassis (bulkhead, between windshield and engine)
• Riveted plate in cabin (door sill)
• Label in trunk or under hood

Checks

• VIN identical on all documents and vehicle
• Original rivets
• No re-stamping traces
• Matches declared make, model and year

Ensure the vehicle is free of liens and transferable. It cannot be transferred if:

• Baja temporal — seller must reinstate it first.
• Unpaid IVTM for previous year.
• Unpaid DGT fines.
• Embargoes or seizures — DGT liens report reveals these.
• Bankruptcy proceedings of owner.

Transfer procedure

1. Sign sale contract with date and time.
2. Pay ITP (model 620 or 621) at the autonomous community. Between individuals: 0-8% depending on region (some regions offer exemptions).
3. Title transfer at DGT within 30 days. Fee 1.5: €55.70 (2026).
4. DGT issues new registration permit.

Some defects require a lift and professional equipment:

• Over 100,000 km — wear on timing belt, clutch, turbo, injectors more likely.
• Over 10 years — structural corrosion hard to assess without a lift.
• Check engine light on — professional diagnostic may reveal hidden or temporarily cleared codes.
• Suspension/steering noise — mechanic can inspect ball joints and bushings on a lift.
• Automatic transmission — specialist can check fluid and shifting.
• Premium brands (BMW, Mercedes, Audi) — €50-200 diagnostic depending on country can prevent a bill of several thousand euros.

Pre-purchase professional inspection typically costs €50-200 depending on country.

Before signing and paying a deposit, review:

• ✅ Full DGT report checked — no liens, no embargoes
• ✅ Valid ITV — next inspection date known
• ✅ Mileage verified — consistent with DGT report and wear
• ✅ VIN identical on all documents and vehicle
• ✅ Previous year IVTM paid by seller
• ✅ No pending fines
• ✅ Service book reviewed — intervals respected
• ✅ Test drive completed — at least 20 min, city + highway
• ✅ Cold start tested
• ✅ No critical warning lights on
• ✅ Bodywork inspected in daylight
• ✅ No signs of structural accident
• ✅ Tires in good condition (≥ 1.6 mm, DOT < 6 years)
• ✅ Brakes firm and quiet
• ✅ Suspension stable
• ✅ Air conditioning functional
• ✅ Price negotiated and market-appropriate
• ✅ Contract drafted with all required details

At signing, the seller must provide:

• Original permiso de circulación
• Original ficha técnica / Tarjeta ITV
• Valid ITV certificate (if applicable)
• Signed sale contract with buyer/seller data, vehicle data, price, date and time
• Invoice (if dealer, with VAT)
• IVTM payment proof for previous year
• Service book and repair invoices
• Spare keys (at least 2)

The DGT offers a downloadable contract template on its website.

Signs to abandon negotiation immediately, regardless of price:

• Airbag light on — critical safety risk
• Coffee-with-milk oil — blown head gasket
• Persistent blue smoke — oil burning, severe engine wear
• Non-matching VIN — possibly stolen
• Liens or embargoes on DGT report
• Expired ITV and seller won't pass it
• No service book and suspicious mileage
• Structural accident signs — bent longitudinal members
• Seller rushing, refusing inspection
• Abnormally low price
• More than 3 previous owners in few years

Print this checklist and take it to every inspection:

Documents

• ☐ Original permiso de circulación
• ☐ Ficha técnica / Tarjeta ITV
• ☐ Valid ITV — next date noted
• ☐ Seller's DNI/NIE matches owner
• ☐ DGT reduced report (free)
• ☐ DGT full report (€8.67)
• ☐ Liens report
• ☐ Previous year IVTM paid
• ☐ Service book

Mileage

• ☐ DGT mileage consistent with odometer
• ☐ Seat/wheel/pedal wear consistent

Exterior

• ☐ Uniform paint
• ☐ Even panel gaps
• ☐ No perforating rust
• ☐ Same-brand glass
• ☐ Lights in good condition
• ☐ Tires: ≥ 1.6 mm, DOT < 6 years
• ☐ No accident signs

Mechanics

• ☐ Oil — normal color
• ☐ Coolant — no oil traces
• ☐ Brake fluid — clear
• ☐ No leaks under engine
• ☐ Belts in good condition
• ☐ Battery — clean terminals

Start and drive

• ☐ Cold start — quick and smooth
• ☐ No abnormal exhaust smoke
• ☐ All warning lights function
• ☐ Test drive — ≥ 20 min
• ☐ Straight-line braking
• ☐ No high-speed vibration
• ☐ All gears engage
• ☐ Suspension — no noises
• ☐ Steering — no pulling

Final

• ☐ VIN verified on documents and vehicle
• ☐ Independent mechanic consulted (if > 100,000 km)
• ☐ Price negotiated
• ☐ Contract ready

Disclaimer: This checklist is a decision aid. A mechanical inspection, even thorough, cannot guarantee the absence of future breakdowns. It significantly reduces risk but does not eliminate it. When in doubt, consult a certified professional.