Car Checks: What Online Platforms Don't Tell You
Nowadays, most car buyers rely on online solutions to check vehicle history, including accidents and servicing. While these platforms are extremely useful, they have some significant limitations that can affect the accuracy of the information obtained.
Verification Platforms: Limitations and Challenges
Sources of Information:
- Most verification platforms rely on publicly available data, such as auction pictures, accident images from insurance companies or information from ITP stations. These sources are not always complete and may omit essential information.
Confidential Information:
- The detailed information recorded by authorised dealers in their database is not displayed on online verification platforms. This data, such as full service history and mileage updates, is often confidential and not shared with the general public. As a result, online platforms may only provide an estimate of mileage and other details, without reflecting the full currency of the vehicle's history.
Mileage and Repairs:
- For example, a vehicle may have a higher mileage recorded at the dealership at the last service, but this information may not be visible on online verification platforms, which may only display estimates or partial data. This can lead to an inaccurate perception of the vehicle's true condition.
Why is it important to check other sources?
1. Direct Dealer Check:
- To get a complete and accurate picture of a vehicle's history, it's essential to check with the authorised dealer as well. They can provide full details of servicing, exact mileage and other essential details.
2. Other Sources of Trust:
- Use additional sources such as professional inspection reports or specialised services that can provide a detailed assessment of the vehicle.
3. Specialised Consultancy:
- If in doubt about the vehicle's history, consult automotive experts who can provide a detailed analysis and a thorough check.
For more information and to check the full history of your vehicle, visit Automotive Forensics and find out how we can give you an accurate and detailed assessment of your vehicle
Body Check and Diagnostic Forensics: Make Sure Your Car Is Really in Good Condition
To make sure your vehicle is in good condition and that there are no hidden problems, it's essential to follow a few important steps in the inspection process.
1. Chassis Series Check at the Dealer:
- It is recommended that you check the chassis series of your car directly with the brand's dealer. They can provide official and accurate information on the vehicle's history, including any previous modifications or problems.
2. Diagnostic and Interrogation Forensics:
- Automotive Forensics Service provides a detailed analysis of your vehicle by thoroughly interrogating control units. This helps uncover potential fraud and hidden problems that are not visible at first sight.
3. What Diagnostic Forensics Includes:
- Modified Mileage Fraud: Identify unauthorised changes to the mileage stored in the control units.
- Modified Bodywork Series: Check whether the body series has been modified in the vehicle control units.
- Number of Keys: Compare the number of keys programmed and the number of keys present to detect discrepancies.
- Accident: Check the number of crashes stored in airbag computers to assess possible previous damage.
- Manufacturing Setup: Comparison of the configuration given by the manufacturer (equipment and specifications) with the equipment actually present at the time of the forensic enquiry to check for any changes or discrepancies.
- Specific Details Each Brand: Other additional checks, depending on the make and model of the vehicle.
Through these detailed procedures, Automotive Forensics ensures you get a full and accurate picture of the condition of your vehicle, avoiding unpleasant surprises and ensuring you make an informed purchase.
For more information and to schedule a forensics diagnostic, visit Automotive Forensics and find out how we can help you protect your car investment
Read KM number
stored in the engine computer, gearbox, ignition, key, comparing the stored number with the one on the board you can find out if they are real or not
Read VIN
(body series) from the engine computer, immobilizer and the rest of the computers storing the VIN, so it is possible to identify a car on which computers have been fitted from dismantlers without correct programming, or one that has a body series on the chassis and papers and other series in the computers!
Reading the KM number
at the last regeneration, to determine if the particulate filter is active, reading and comparing the software in the engine computer to see if there are differences and changes that hide some defects, cancellations of various components
Key analysis startup
to determine the number of kilometres stored, VIN body series, last date of use, date of programming the key in the immobilizer.Such data can be useful in many cases from car theft to insurance claims.
In addition we can check in the databases of car manufacturers the interventions carried out at authorized dealers, overhauls or repairs.
Services to check the number of km on overhauls and repairs carried out for: