Documents · 8 min · By Vehilo
Checking German HU and service records: build a vehicle-document timeline
Match each record to the car and a date
Invoices become useful when you can match them to the car and place them in date order. Start with date, mileage, document type and the work or result described. First assess whether the information is consistent. This does not establish the true mileage or present mechanical condition.
ADAC recommends comparing invoices, inspection reports and service entries for plausibility. The example below is our own fictional application, not a customer case.
Four records and one unresolved question
| Fictional document | Recorded reading | What to note |
|---|---|---|
| German HU inspection report, June 2023 | 58,000 km | Match the report to the vehicle and read the complete result |
| Service invoice, May 2024 | 69,000 km | Record the work described |
| Repair invoice, February 2025 | 66,000 km | Reading is lower than the earlier record |
| Current advert, September 2026 | 82,000 km | Seller information, not independent verification |
The repair invoice needs explaining. It does not prove manipulation. A mistaken entry or a document belonging elsewhere are possible explanations; the actual reason is unresolved. Ask: “Why is the reading on this invoice lower? Can you substantiate the vehicle match and any correction?”
Even a complete, consistently increasing sequence would not prove the mileage is genuine. The timeline identifies inconsistencies; it cannot reconstruct the entire past.
What each document contributes
Read the HU result and any defect or reinspection notes, rather than only the next due date. A service invoice describes the listed work; it does not replace missing evidence of another repair. Review a digital service printout alongside the corresponding workshop records. ADAC's used-car guidance
Establish that the documents belong to this car. Previous owners' personal details do not need to be shared publicly. Keep the working file private; do not publish VINs, addresses or invoices.
Keep the pre-import period visible
Put foreign and German documents on one timeline. Record country, language and the unit used. Do not compare miles and kilometres without checking the units.
If records before German registration are missing, mark that specific period as undocumented. Complete-looking German records do not establish a complete vehicle history. Refer translation or identification questions to an appropriate specialist; separately ask the responsible registration authority about registration requirements. This timeline does not assess import or registration eligibility.
Finish with a short list of open questions
The useful output is a clear evidence position: which events are documented, which entries conflict, what record is missing and what needs inspecting on the car?
Send targeted questions and agree on the necessary inspection before committing to the purchase. First Look can help organize missing information for a particular advert. It does not verify mileage or replace technical or legal assessment.