The power of the DGT and Carfax history in your purchasing decisions
10 Oct 2025
Why is it essential to know a car's history before buying it?
As a dealer, every purchase decision directly impacts your profitability and reputation. Buying a car with hidden problems can lead to unforeseen costs, returns, or even legal claims.
The most common risks include:
Odometer tampering
Unreported severe accidents
Vehicles with liens, seizures, or ownership reservations
Professional use history (taxi, rental)
That’s why having complete and reliable reports, such as those from DGT and Carfax, is an essential tool in your purchasing process.
What does the DGT history offer?
The official report from the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) is a public and legal source. It includes:
Data on current and previous ownership
History of ITVs and declared mileage
Administrative status (registration, deregistration, export)
Current liens or seizures
Number of owners
Date of first registration
Cost: low (less than €10)
Request it: through the DGT electronic headquarters with license plate or chassis number
Limitation: does not include details of accidents, repairs, or maintenance history.
What does a Carfax report offer?
Carfax is a private company that collects information from various sources (insurance companies, workshops, ITV, importers, etc.). Its report includes:
History of registered accidents
Odometer readings over time
Maintenance history (if available)
Vehicle use (private, company, taxi, leasing)
Imports/exports
Advantage: ideal for imported cars or those with unclear histories
Cost: medium (from €9.99 per report, volume discounts available)
DGT vs Carfax: practical comparison
Feature | DGT Report | Carfax Report |
|---|---|---|
Ownership | ✅ | ✅ |
ITV | ✅ | ✅ |
Administrative liens | ✅ | ❌ |
Accidents | ❌ | ✅ (if reported) |
Historical mileage | Partial (ITV) | ✅ (more comprehensive) |
Cost | Low (€) | Medium (€€) |
Official source | ✅ | ❌ (private company) |
How to use these reports in your dealership?
Before buying: filter out problematic cars before investing money or time.
When negotiating: you can adjust the price if you detect details that affect the value.
When selling: provide the report as part of the vehicle's file and reinforce transparency.
On your website or showroom: showing that cars have verified histories generates immediate trust.
Tip: combine both for a 360º view
The DGT report provides legal security (liens, ownership, administrative status)
The Carfax report gives you a commercial and technical view of the vehicle's past
For higher-risk operations (imported vehicles, auction cars, or high-value items), combining both reports is the best decision.
Conclusion: data-driven decisions, not intuition
Nowadays, information is available. Not using it is taking an unnecessary risk. A report costing €10 or €20 can save you thousands in problems.
Using the DGT and Carfax histories not only protects your investment but also positions you as a professional, transparent, and reliable dealer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When should I request a car's history?
Before closing any purchase. Ideally, before negotiating the price.
Is it mandatory to have the DGT report?
No, but it is highly recommended. Some transactions (like financing) require it.
Does Carfax work for domestic cars?
Yes. Although it is more comprehensive for imported cars, more and more domestic workshops and insurers are sharing data with the platform.
🔗 Extra: Some platforms like Dealcar allow you to integrate or link these reports to your dealership's inventory. Check if it's available for you.
