Technical background
Why is checking the technical history important?
To understand a vehicle’s history, documented maintenance, powertrain- and control-software-related events, and factory recalls are just as important as the mileage. We interpret these for petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric vehicles based on the available electronic service history.
Drivetrain and maintenance
Powertrain-related entries may include an inspection, maintenance or campaign operation. The analysis shows what is recorded in the manufacturer’s documentation. For electric cars, this also includes documented events related to the battery.
Software and control units
Software versions can affect, among other things, charging, energy management and certain onboard functions. The entries may make it clearer what update was documented.
Recalls and campaigns
Factory actions may vary from vehicle to vehicle. VIN-based checking helps distinguish a general model-related notice from what actually appears in the documentation of the specific car.
What should be interpreted together?
A single code or entry rarely provides a complete picture on its own. The chronology and relationship between events make the data useful.
Applicability and status
It is not the same whether a campaign exists in general, the specific VIN is affected, or the related action has already been documented as completed.
Date and odometer reading
The order of the entries can help compare maintenance events, campaigns and periods of vehicle use.
Technical connections
Items referring to the engine, powertrain, transmission or software should be read together with one another and with later service entries. Conclusions about the battery and charging are drawn only from the documented data of the vehicle concerned.
Next step
In the case of an open question or unclear status, an authorised service centre or appropriately qualified specialist workshop can perform diagnostics and an official technical inspection.
View the documented history of the specific car
You can start checking the documentation and the easy-to-understand analysis by entering the VIN on the homepage.