How to check a second-hand car before you buy it

Papers and chassis number first

The chassis number (VIN) has 17 characters. You find it in the registration certificate (certificat de înmatriculare), in the vehicle identity book (cartea de identitate a vehiculului, CIV), on the manufacturer's plate and stamped into the body, usually at the base of the windscreen or on the door pillar. It must be the same everywhere.

The seller's name must appear in the registration certificate. If someone else is selling, ask for a power of attorney and call the owner.

Checks you can do from home

• The RAR Auto-Pass certificate with the mileage history, issued by the Romanian Auto Registry (Registrul Auto Român, RAR). The seller must give it to you. Details in the guide on rolled-back mileage.
• Any lien in the Electronic Archive of Security Interests in Movable Property (Arhiva Electronică de Garanții Reale Mobiliare, AEGRM). A car with a lien can end up with the creditor after you have paid for it.
• The validity of the periodic technical inspection (inspecția tehnică periodică, ITP). The seller should be able to show you the inspection record.

Checking the body and interior

Go in daylight and dry weather. A wet car hides scratches and paint differences.

• Even gaps between doors, bonnet and wings. Uneven gaps often mean a repair after an accident.
• Colour differences between panels, and paint traces on the rubber seals.
• Rust on the sills, in the wheel arches and under the carpet. Lift the floor mats.
• Wear on the steering wheel, gear lever and pedals should match the mileage.
• A musty smell and damp carpet can point to a flooded car.

Engine and running gear

Ask the seller not to start the car before you arrive. A cold start shows hard starting, smoke and strange noises. Check the oil level and colour, any leaks under the car, and the dashboard warning lights, which should go out after starting.

For a more expensive car it is worth paying an independent mechanic or a diagnostic test. The cost is small next to a big repair. The steps for the drive are in the test drive guide.

When you're not sure

You can ask for a check at a garage or an ITP station before you buy. Walk away if the seller refuses an inspection, rushes you to pay or changes the story about the car's history.