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Last updated: April 2026

Check a Car from mobile.de Before Buying

Before flying out to see a car on mobile.de, check its history by entering the 17-character VIN at Carlytics (carlytics.eu). The Carlytics report (EUR 8.90) cross-references 900+ databases across 47+ countries — including 52 million Czech and 830 million UK MOT inspection records — to reveal mileage manipulation, accident history, theft records, and whether the advertised specs match reality. Roughly 1 in 5 imported cars from mobile.de shows signs of mileage tampering.

Found a car on mobile.de? Enter the VIN to check it:

Step-by-step: How to check a mobile.de car with Carlytics

  1. Find the VIN in the listing. On mobile.de, scroll to the “Vehicle Details” section. Dealer listings often display the VIN. If it is not shown, message the seller and request the full 17-character VIN.
  2. Enter the VIN at carlytics.eu. The free decode instantly shows the manufacturer, model, engine, and production year encoded in the VIN. Compare this against what the listing claims.
  3. Purchase the full report (EUR 8.90). This unlocks mileage history, stolen-vehicle checks, accident records, and inspection data from 47+ countries.
  4. Compare the mileage timeline. The report plots recorded mileage from consecutive inspections. Any backward jump is proof of odometer fraud.
  5. Verify the specs match. Check that engine size, fuel type, power output, and body type from the VIN decode match the listing. Mismatches can indicate a cloned VIN or incorrect listing data.
  6. Check for red flags. The report highlights theft records, safety recalls, insurance write-offs, and taxi/fleet registrations.

What are the most common scams on mobile.de?

Mobile.de is Europe's largest car marketplace with over 1.4 million listings. While most sellers are legitimate, these scams appear regularly:

Odometer rollback (clocking)

The most common fraud in the German used car market. A car with 200,000 km is rolled back to 120,000 km, adding thousands of euros to the asking price. According to Carlytics data from 52 million Czech vehicle inspections, roughly 1 in 5 imported cars shows signs of mileage manipulation. The Carlytics report catches this by plotting consecutive inspection readings.

Advance-fee fraud

A “seller” lists a car at an attractive price, claims to be abroad, and asks the buyer to send a deposit via bank transfer to “reserve” the vehicle. Once paid, the seller disappears. Never pay for a car you have not physically inspected or had inspected by a trusted third party.

Hidden accident damage

A car that has been in a serious collision is repaired cosmetically but not structurally. The listing may say “unfallfrei” (accident-free) when it is not. The Carlytics report checks for insurance write-offs and damage records across European databases.

VIN cloning

The VIN plate of a stolen vehicle is replaced with one from a legitimate car. The documents appear genuine because they belong to a real vehicle. A VIN check catches this when decoded specifications contradict the actual vehicle, or when the VIN appears registered in multiple countries simultaneously.

How to read German TUV/HU inspection reports

Every car registered in Germany must pass the Hauptuntersuchung (HU) every two years. The inspection is performed by TUV, DEKRA, GTU, or KUS. Here is what to look for:

What red flags should you look for in a mobile.de listing?

Buying from mobile.de FAQ

Common questions about checking and buying cars from mobile.de

Where do I find the VIN on a mobile.de listing?
On mobile.de, the VIN is sometimes shown in the vehicle details section of the listing, especially for dealer listings. If it is not visible, ask the seller to send you the full 17-character VIN before travelling to view the car. Any legitimate seller will share the VIN without hesitation. If the seller refuses, that is a major red flag.
Is it safe to buy a car from mobile.de as a foreigner?
Yes, thousands of buyers across Europe purchase cars from mobile.de every month. However, cross-border purchases carry higher risk because you cannot easily return for warranty claims or disputes. Always run a VIN check (EUR 8.90 at Carlytics), inspect the car in person or hire an independent inspector, and use a secure payment method. Never wire the full amount before seeing the car.
What does the TUV/HU sticker on the license plate mean?
The coloured sticker on a German license plate indicates when the next Hauptuntersuchung (HU) inspection is due. The colour corresponds to the year, and the number at the top shows the month. A car with an expired HU has failed or skipped its mandatory safety inspection, which means it cannot legally be driven on German roads. Check that the HU is current before buying.
Can I check the mileage history of a car listed on mobile.de?
Yes. Enter the VIN at Carlytics and the full report cross-references mileage records from 47+ countries, including 52 million Czech vehicle inspections and 830 million UK MOT test records. If the car was previously registered in any of these countries, consecutive inspection records will reveal whether the odometer has been rolled back.
How common are scams on mobile.de?
While mobile.de is a legitimate marketplace, scam listings do appear. The most common types are advance-fee fraud (the seller asks for a deposit before you see the car), clocked mileage (odometer rolled back to inflate the price), and hidden accident damage. Mobile.de removes flagged listings, but new ones appear constantly. A VIN check and in-person inspection are the best defences.

Found a car on mobile.de? Check it before you buy.

Check a Car from mobile.de Before Buying | Carlytics