Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Italy are among the most common countries used cars are imported from into Moldova. European cars often have a better service history than cars from US auctions, but that does not make them automatically problem-free. The biggest risk with European imports is rolled-back mileage when the car moves from one country to another.
Why mileage is risk number one
When a car is sold to another country, the link to its local history is easily lost. The service book “goes missing”, inspection records stay in the country of origin, and the odometer can be rolled back without the new buyer ever finding out. A 2018 European Parliament report estimated that mileage manipulation affects a significant share of cars sold across borders — far more than in domestic sales.
Which checking tools exist in Europe
| Country | What exists | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium | Car-Pass | A certificate required at sale, with the recorded mileage history. |
| Netherlands | NAP (Nationaal Auto Pas) | Checks whether the mileage progression is logical. |
| Germany | Inspection reports (HU/TÜV, DEKRA), service book, digital history at the dealer | Mileage at each inspection and the work carried out. |
| Other EU countries | Service invoices, brand dealer history | Varies widely; often depends on the seller’s documents. |
Ask the seller for these documents. If the car comes from Belgium, for example, and there is no Car-Pass, ask why.
Which documents to ask for on an EU car
- The registration document from the country of origin (in Germany — Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I and II).
- The certificate of conformity (COC), if available — useful for homologation.
- The service book or service history, with stamps and mileage.
- The latest technical inspection report from the country of origin.
- The EU purchase contract and the customs documents for import into Moldova.
Compare the mileage in all these documents with each other and with the odometer.
Other risks with cars from Europe
Fleet and lease cars
Many fairly new cars come from company fleets or leasing. They are usually serviced on time but have high mileage and specific wear (taxi, deliveries, rentals). They are not necessarily a bad choice, but the price must reflect the real mileage.
Repaired damage
Europe also has auctions for damaged cars. A car crashed in Germany, repaired cheaply in another country and then brought to Moldova can look flawless.
Cars of American origin
Some cars “from Germany” were originally imported from the USA. A VIN starting with 1, 4 or 5 usually indicates a car built for the US market — it is worth checking the US history too.
How to check a European car by VIN
- Enter the VIN on AutoStat and compare the technical data with the listing.
- Use the Europe report for technical data and signals from European sources.
- If the car is of American origin, also check the USA report — or go straight for the full report.
- Line up the mileage from the report, the documents and the dashboard.
- Have an independent workshop inspect the car, including reading the mileage from the electronic modules.
“Imported from Germany” is not a guarantee. The guarantee is a consistent history: documents, logical mileage and a technical condition confirmed by a mechanic.
In short
- The biggest risk with EU imports is rolled-back mileage.
- Ask for Car-Pass (Belgium), an NAP check (Netherlands) or inspection reports (Germany).
- Check whether the car is actually of American origin.
- Compare all sources with each other before you pay.
