Before viewing: the paperwork
Start with the documents. Using the number plate, you can request the DGT vehicle report (from the Spanish traffic authority), which shows the registered keeper, any charges or liens, the ITV (MOT) history and the mileage recorded at inspections. If the mileage does not match the odometer, be wary.
- DGT report with no outstanding charges or liens.
- Registration certificate and technical sheet that match the car.
- Valid ITV and results of the latest inspections.
- Invoices for previous repairs, especially bodywork and paint.
- Road tax receipt for the current year.
What to check in person
View the car in full daylight. Colour differences between panels, uneven gaps between doors or paint on rubber seals can point to bodywork repairs. That is not necessarily bad, but you should know what happened.
- Crouch down and look along each side against the light: ripples or patches with a different gloss give away filler or respraying.
- Check that the gaps between bonnet, wings, doors and tailgate are the same on both sides.
- Open the doors, bonnet and boot: look for welds that do not look factory-made, uneven sealer or creased inner panels.
- Look at the glass, headlights and rear lights: if one differs from the rest, it may have been replaced after a knock.
- Look for rust on the underbody and wheel arches, especially if the car has lived near the sea.
If you can, ask a workshop you trust to inspect the bodywork before buying. A paint thickness gauge picks up resprayed or filled panels, and a look at the underbody and inner joints shows whether the car has had a structural impact. We do this in our pre-purchase inspection, with a report and photos.
Private seller or dealer: the warranty
If you buy from a dealer or professional seller, Spanish law gives you a legal guarantee which, for second-hand goods, may be set at no less than one year. It covers lack of conformity, meaning faults the car already had or features that do not match the advert. Always ask for an invoice and the warranty terms in writing.
If you buy from a private seller, there is no such guarantee, although you may be able to claim for serious hidden defects within certain time limits. That makes an inspection before buying even more important.
After buying, remember that the change of ownership has to be registered with the DGT and the relevant tax paid. When you buy from a professional, they usually handle the paperwork; confirm this before signing.
Our used cars
Green Car Service Tenerife also sells second-hand cars. We check them in our own workshop before putting them on sale and tell you what has been done on each one. See what is available in used cars or give us a call; if you already have your eye on one elsewhere, we can help you check it too.
Warranty periods and terms depend on the type of sale and the contract. We confirm them in writing in each case.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get the DGT report?
You can request it from the DGT's online portal or at its offices using the number plate. It costs little and is the best way to avoid surprises.
What warranty do your used cars come with?
As a professional seller, we honour the applicable legal guarantee. We set out the terms for each car in writing before you buy.
Can you inspect a car I am thinking of buying elsewhere?
Yes. Bring it to the workshop during opening hours and we will check the bodywork, paint, structure and paperwork so you can decide with the facts. More details in pre-purchase inspection.
Is it bad if a used car has resprayed panels?
Not necessarily. Many repairs are well done. What matters is knowing what happened and checking that the structure has not been affected.
Other guides
What to do after a road accident
The steps, in order, to keep yourself safe, notify the right people and document the incident properly.
ReadHow to fill in the accident report form
Box by box: how to complete the Spanish accident report form without mistakes that could complicate your claim later.
ReadFree choice of repairer: your rights
Even when insurance pays, you decide where your car is repaired. Here is how to exercise that right step by step.
ReadVehicle loss assessment, explained
Who the loss adjuster is, what they check, how long it usually takes and what you can do if you disagree with their assessment.
ReadTotal loss: what it means and what you can do
When insurers write a car off, how the payout is worked out and what options you have with your vehicle.
ReadCan we help with your case?
Tell us what happened and we'll tell you how to proceed.
Do the online check-in: your details, the vehicle and photos of the damage, from your phone before you come.
Check your car in online- Written estimateBefore we start you know what will be done and what it costs.
- No obligationWe give you the estimate; you decide.
- Collection & deliveryIf it suits you, we come and pick up the car.
Request an estimate
Tell us what's wrong with the car. For bodywork or paint, photos via WhatsApp help a lot.
Rather talk? Call us on 922 73 64 47 or message us on WhatsApp at 674 06 13 71.