What to check when buying a second-hand car
No single report, ITV (Spain’s roadworthiness test) or visual check certifies a used car on its own. The decision is built in layers: transferability, identity of the unit, history, observable condition, professional inspection, intended use and contract.
Limit: this guide is a pre-purchase screening. It does not certify the absence of accidents, hidden defects or future breakdowns, and it does not replace a mechanical or expert inspection when the risk or the value justifies one.
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First: separate source, evidence and certainty
A sentence from the seller does not carry the same weight as observable data or an official record. And an official record only proves what it actually contains.
UNKNOWN = a material piece of data is missing. INCONCLUSIVE = there is evidence, but it does not resolve the question. Neither automatically means fraud, a fault or a bad car.
PHASE 1 · REMOTE
Before you travel: gather data that could change the decision
Avoid travelling only to discover an administrative obstacle, a basic discrepancy or a condition the seller could have clarified beforehand.
Minimum data, questions and photos.
Transferability, VIN and documents.
Observable condition, without diagnosing.
Escalate what matters.
Decide and transfer.
PHASE 2 · ADMINISTRATIVE
DGT first: the short report to filter, the full report to understand
The DGT (Spain’s traffic authority) report is a powerful administrative layer, not a mechanical inspection.
Free. It shows basic identification and whether there are incidents that call for checking before going further.
Request the full report/charges and understand exactly what restricts driving or transfer.
Retention of title or another unresolved restriction: pause until there is a legitimate route for cancellation/subrogation where applicable.
IDENTITY
The real unit, the VIN and the documentation must tell the same story
A material inconsistency in number plate/VIN/documents is not “offset” by a good exterior appearance.
VIN/chassis number visible in the location set by the manufacturer, number plate and version features.
The registration certificate/technical data sheet and any relevant document must refer to the same unit.
Check that the identifiers and technical data are compatible with what you have in front of you.
VIN, number plate or document do not match
Do not try to “explain” the discrepancy with a theory. Stop the decision and demand a verifiable clarification through the proper channel. Barguvo does not offer forensic techniques for manipulating or reconstructing identifiers.
VIN: …1234 · DNI: hidden · address: hiddenShare only the part needed for the specific check.
Full data when legally requiredMinimisation changes with the phase: the final contract does require identifying the parties.
HISTORY
Mileage and history: build a timeline, not a magic number
Look for consistency between ITV, DGT, maintenance and invoices. An ascending sequence adds consistency; it does not certify that the odometer was never tampered with.
real first registration
previous history may be partial
first Spanish registration
For an imported car, the first registration in Spain does not necessarily equal its real age. If the previous history is not available, mark that period as UNKNOWN and decide whether you need a specific service or documentation from the country of origin.
PHASE 3 · IN PERSON
Physical inspection: observe, document and escalate; do not diagnose from a single sign
Check the car with enough light and time. A visual sign should become a question or a test, not a verdict.
Bodywork and glass
- Observe
- Differences in shade, panel gaps, corrosion, cracks, lights and signs of repair.
- Do not conclude
- A visual difference does not on its own identify severity or origin.
Tyres and brakes
- Observe
- Compatible sizes, uneven wear, damage, date and general condition.
- Escalate
- If there is strange wear or vibration, go to a garage before diagnosing alignment/suspension.
Interior and controls
- Observe
- Seat belts, seats, climate control, electric windows, warning lights and unusual smells.
- Do not conclude
- Wear on the steering wheel/pedals is not a detector of tampered mileage.
Engine bay / underside
- Observe
- Visible leaks, corrosion, conspicuous repairs or noises.
- Safety
- Do not open hot circuits or get under a car supported only by a jack.
- Do not tamper with airbags, brakes, high-voltage systems or hot components during a visit.
- Do not dismantle parts to “check” the car.
- A professional with a lift and suitable tools can check areas that the buyer should not inspect in an unsafe way.
PHASE 4 · ESCALATION
Professional inspection and test drive: only under legal and safe conditions
When there is a material doubt, paying for an inspection can be more useful than adding up twenty DIY heuristics.
Before driving: clarify the registered keeper’s permission, ITV, insurance/cover and the conditions of the test. If driving it is not legal, do not turn the purchase into a road test.
Observe first: normal starting, warning lights, noises, steering and braking within prudent driving. No harsh braking or deliberately dangerous manoeuvres.
Escalate what matters: structure, underside, leaks, diagnostics, brakes, suspension and the high-voltage battery require tools/knowledge when they are decisive.
OBD: it can be additional evidence, but “no codes” does not mean a healthy car, nor does it prove that faults have not been cleared. Interpret the diagnostics in context.
USE AND TECHNOLOGY
Engine, hybrid/EV, recalls and ZBE: apply the right branch
The common layer does not replace information specific to the model and powertrain.
Maintenance, leaks, timing belt/chain where applicable, emissions and model-specific systems must be assessed with the history and an inspection.
Combines a combustion engine, an electrical system and an HV battery. Health/cover depend on the model: there is no universal purchase percentage.
HV battery, AC/DC charging, observed range, warranty and diagnostics require data from the manufacturer/specific vehicle when they are material.
A pending recall must be understood and resolved according to the manufacturer. The fact that no pending recall is visible does not mean the model never had campaigns.
It is a DGT classification, not a universal access permit. Revalidate the ZBE (low-emission zones)/by-laws of the cities where you will use the car.
Apps, accounts and digital keys are transferred through the manufacturer’s official procedure. Do not ask for or reuse the seller’s passwords.
CONTRACT AND RIGHTS
Private and professional sellers are not under the same regime
Legal protection depends on who is selling and on the contract. Do not reduce everything to “six months’ warranty”.
General rule of liability for lack of conformity: 3 years. For second-hand goods a shorter period may be agreed, never less than 1 year.
The Código Civil (Civil Code) governs liability for hidden defects; the actions under arts. 1484–1489 expire six months after delivery.
The contract, what was stated, the type of defect and the circumstances matter. For a real dispute, consult the legislation in force or appropriate advice.
DNI/address/full documents: not by defaultAsk for the minimum information needed to verify each point.
Full identification: yes, when the formality requires itAvoid posting or forwarding full copies outside the necessary process.
PHASE 5 · DECISION
Decide by hard stops, verifications and gaps; not by a magic score
The right outcome is not always “buy/do not buy”: sometimes it is to ask for a test, resolve a charge or pay for an inspection.
Blocked transfer, inconsistent VIN/documents, unclear authority to sell or a test that cannot legally be carried out.
Missing previous history, invoice, battery data or a document that could change your decision.
There is data, but it does not prove what you want to know. Change the test.
The layers checked are consistent and the remaining uncertainty is acceptable for your decision.
Barguvo can help you separate official data, what is observable and the gaps that still need proof.
If a fault or cost is already confirmed, use it to negotiate; if the proof is missing, keep it as UNKNOWN.
FAQ
Does a clean DGT report mean the car is perfect?
No. The report provides administrative information and available records, but it does not certify the mechanical condition, the universal absence of accidents or the vehicle’s future.
What is the difference between the short and the full report?
The short report is a free first filter for identification/incidents. The full report adds, among other data, the registered keeper, ITV/mileage history, charges, technical data, pending recalls and reported maintenance when it exists.
If there are no maintenance entries at the DGT, does that mean it has not been maintained?
No. Only work reported by garages that participate in the electronic logbook appears, and participation is voluntary. The absence of entries is UNKNOWN.
Does a passed ITV replace a pre-purchase inspection?
No. The ITV is a statutory inspection on a specific date. A pre-purchase inspection can look for other risks and the current condition of the car.
How do I detect tampered mileage?
There is no single sign. Build a timeline with ITV, DGT, maintenance and invoices; a contradiction deserves verification, while a consistent sequence does not certify that there was never any tampering.
What about an imported car?
Separate the real first registration from the first registration in Spain. If the previous history is not available, treat that period as UNKNOWN and decide whether you need documentation or a specific check from the country of origin.
Does an OBD scan with no codes mean the car is healthy?
No. It can provide additional information, but it does not rule out all problems or prove that codes have not been cleared previously.
Is there a “six-month warranty” between private individuals?
It is not the same as the consumer guarantee. Between private individuals the Código Civil regime on hidden defects applies, and the actions under articles 1484–1489 expire six months after delivery.
Does a professional always give three years on a used car?
The general rule for lack of conformity is three years, but for second-hand goods the professional and the consumer may agree a shorter period, never less than one year.
Should I always test drive the car on the road?
Only when it is legal and safe to do so. If the ITV, insurance/cover, permission or condition raise doubts, the alternative may be a professional inspection or authorised transport.