Pre purchase car inspection, on the spot - and entirely in English.
Buying a used car in Budapest? You never have to drive it anywhere. We send an independent, English-speaking mobile mechanic to the car - at the seller's address, on the spot - check it thoroughly, and give you a clear report written in English.
A complete used car check, before you commit
cardata is a Budapest-based pre purchase car inspection service that has, since 2019, checked used cars on the spot before people buy them - carried out by an English-speaking car inspector who hands you a clear report written in English.
Engine & drivetrain
Cold start, oil and coolant condition, leaks, timing chain or belt history, turbo health and a full diagnostic scan for stored and live fault codes.
Transmission & clutch
Manual, automatic, DSG or CVT - we check shift quality, clutch wear, fluid condition and the noises that only show up under load.
Brakes, suspension & steering
Pad and disc life, bushes and shocks, wheel bearings, steering play and alignment clues from uneven tyre wear.
Body & accident history
Paint thickness, panel gaps, weld marks and overspray that reveal past accident repair a tidy advert hides.
Battery & EV health
On hybrids and electric cars we read battery state of health, test charging and inspect the high-voltage system.
Records & mileage check
We cross-check the service history and visible wear against the odometer, so a wound-back car gives itself away.
From first contact to verdict - in five steps
- 1
Get in touch
Contact us about the car you are considering - send the listing and where it is in Budapest, plus any worries you have.
- 2
Choose the type of inspection
Together we decide whether it is the standard inspection (you attend) or the no-attendance inspection (you don’t need to be there). The check on the car is identical either way.
- 3
We arrange a time
We agree a time that suits you and arrange access with the seller or dealer - usually within a day or two.
- 4
The inspection is carried out
An English-speaking car inspector comes to the car and runs the full on-site check - engine, transmission, brakes, body, electronics and a road test where allowed.
- 5
Results & review with you
We evaluate the findings and go through the results with you: a clear report in English, system by system, with an overall verdict. Then the decision is yours.
Independent, mobile, and in English
Everything in English
From the first message to the final report, we work entirely in English. Your car inspector speaks English and your report is written in English.
Independent - buyer’s side only
We never sell cars and take nothing from the seller. The verdict on the car owes nothing to anyone but you.
We come to the car
A mobile service across Budapest and its agglomeration. The car stays put; the car inspector travels to wherever it is.
Clear, documented report
No vague reassurances - a structured, written report, with photos and video on the Digital Report Package.
Two simple packages - the inspection is the same
Both are carried out on-site, at the car - we come to you anywhere in Budapest and its agglomeration, call-out fee included. The examination is identical in both; you choose only whether you attend in person, or let the full report come to you by email.
Standard Inspection
You attend in person | printed report on the spot
- On-site condition inspection of one car
- An appointment in as little as 1-4 hours
- An expert travels out to the car
- Call-out fee included in the price
- Based on a 500+ point inspection checklist
- Independent, professional inspection
- Computer diagnostics with live data reading
- Hybrid and electric cars also available on request
- Thermal-camera vehicle inspection
- Diagnostic test drive
- A friendly, relaxed atmosphere
- Backed by a satisfaction guarantee
- With a punctual-arrival guarantee
No hidden costs - the price you see is the price you pay.
Digital Report Package
You don’t attend | report by email with photos & video
- On-site condition inspection of one car
- An appointment in as little as 1-4 hours
- An expert travels out to the car
- No need for the customer to be present
- Independent, professional inspection
- You get the result immediately after the inspection
- Photo, video and written documentation is produced
- Call-out fee included in the price
- Based on a 500+ point inspection checklist
- Computer diagnostics with live data reading
- Diagnostic test drive
- Hybrid and electric cars also available on request
- Thermal-camera vehicle inspection
- A friendly, relaxed atmosphere
- Backed by a satisfaction guarantee
- With a punctual-arrival guarantee
Ideal for overseas buyers and busy weeks.
- Standard Inspection: you are present, and get a printed report on the spot.
- Digital Report Package: you do not need to be there - so the same report comes to you by email, with photos and video.
Pre-purchase only - we inspect a used car before you buy it (not cars you already own).
Find the car you are about to buy
We inspect 485 models from all 46 brands below - petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric. Pick your make, or open the full A-Z list.
On-site across Budapest & its agglomeration
Whether the car is on a dealer forecourt in the inner districts, a private driveway in the suburbs, or a quiet street in a commuter town, our car inspector comes to it. From first-time buyers and expats settling in Budapest to people buying remotely from abroad, the service works the same way: independent, on the spot, and in English.
Pre purchase inspection - your questions
What is a pre purchase car inspection, exactly?
It is an independent check of a used car before you buy it. An on-site mechanic examines the engine, transmission, brakes, suspension, electronics, body and structure, runs a diagnostic scan, and gives you a clear verdict on the car’s real condition - so you buy on facts, not on the advert.
Do you really carry out the whole car inspection in English?
Yes. cardata exists specifically for English-speaking buyers in Budapest. Your car inspector speaks fluent English, explains the car on the spot in English, and the written report is prepared in English. An English-speaking mobile mechanic in Budapest is exactly what many buyers struggle to find - with us it is standard.
Can a used car inspector come to me or to the seller?
Always. We are a mobile car inspection service: the car inspector comes to wherever the car is, anywhere in Budapest and the surrounding towns. You never drive a car you do not yet own to a workshop.
How much does an on-site car inspection cost?
There are two packages. The Standard Inspection is 35 999 Ft - you attend and receive a printed report on the spot. The Digital Report Package is 39 999 Ft - you do not need to attend and receive the full report with photos and video by email. The inspection itself is identical in both.
Can you check a car’s accident history and the engine warning light on the spot?
Yes. We inspect for physical evidence of accident repair and connect a diagnostic scanner to read stored and live fault codes - including faults the dashboard never displays. If the engine light is on, you will know exactly why before you buy.
I am buying from another country - can you inspect the car for me?
That is one of the most common reasons buyers choose the Digital Report Package. We inspect the car on your behalf in Budapest and send a full report with photos and video in English, so you can decide remotely without travelling to see the car.
Will the inspection help me negotiate the price?
Frequently. A documented list of faults is concrete leverage, and buyers often recover the cost of the inspection many times over in the price they negotiate - or avoid an expensive mistake altogether.
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Book your car inspection
Send us the listing and where the car is, and we will arrange an English-speaking car inspector. Prefer to talk? Email or call us directly.