CAREXAMER Inspection vs DEKRA Inspections: Which is Best For Used Car Buyers

The UK vehicle inspection market is crowded with poor quality inspection providers offering limited checks, slow booking processes, and reports that do little to protect consumers. Many services focus only on basic condition reporting instead of identifying real risks that can cost buyers thousands of pounds after purchase. This is where the difference between CAREXAMER vs DEKRA inspections becomes clear. While both operate in the inspection market, they are designed for very different purposes. This detailed SEO comparison explains how each service works, what is included, and which option offers better value and protection for UK used car buyers.

Why CAREXAMER Was Created

CAREXAMER was created to do what is right for consumers. The focus is on transparency, convenience, speed, and genuine buyer protection.

CAREXAMER provides a professional mobile inspection service for around the same cost as replacing a 12V battery on a used car.

Average inspection cost: £280

For this price, buyers receive in depth mechanical checks, full diagnostics, clear repair cost guidance, and fast reporting without hidden charges.


What CAREXAMER Inspections Include

CAREXAMER inspections are built around real world buying risks, not tick box condition checks.

Included on All CAREXAMER Inspection Packages

  • Diagnostic scans included on every inspection
  • Potential repair costs clearly explained
  • Full mechanical inspection
  • Engine and gearbox assessment
  • Suspension, brakes, tyres, and steering checks
  • Road test where permitted
  • Underbody and corrosion inspection
  • Accident damage and repair quality checks
  • Buyer focused advice to support purchase decisions and negotiations

CAREXAMER Booking, Payment, and Convenience

CAREXAMER removes unnecessary friction from the inspection process.

  • Free cancellations up to 4 hours before the appointment
  • Cancellations within 2 hours charged in full
  • Simple on demand booking with no waiting for callbacks
  • Instant quotes with no hidden extras
  • Quotes available even without full registration details
  • Pay nothing until the inspection is complete
  • Book from any device
  • Choose your own date, time, and location
  • Inspections available from 8am to 6pm including Saturdays
  • Inspections carried out after dark when required
  • No congestion charge or toll fees applied, excluding remote islands

CAREXAMER also offers up to 40 percent faster availability than many similar inspection providers.


CAREXAMER vs Dealership Inspections

CAREXAMER can save buyers up to 100 percent compared with dealership inspection prices.

Main dealers rarely offer flexible door to door inspections and often charge more for limited checks. CAREXAMER delivers mobile inspections without dealership overheads.


Vehicles CAREXAMER Does Not Inspect

CAREXAMER does not inspect:

  • Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes
  • Motorcycles
  • Quad bikes

What CAREXAMER Inspects

CAREXAMER inspects a much wider range of vehicles than most competitors.

Vehicle Types Covered by CAREXAMER

  • Vehicles with disability controls and modifications
  • Vehicles of any age up to 3.5 tonnes
  • Commercial refrigeration units fitted to vehicles
  • Motorhomes, including vehicle inspection and interior condition reporting
  • Vehicles with body tipping equipment
  • Vehicles fitted with tail lifts
  • Horse boxes
  • American imports
  • Dual fuel vehicles
  • Small limousines
  • Hybrid vehicles with dynamic high voltage battery assessment and diagnostics
  • Electric vehicles with dynamic high voltage battery assessment and diagnostics
  • Kit cars
  • London taxis and black cabs
  • Smart cars
  • Supercars
  • Hypercars

DEKRA Inspections Explained

DEKRA is a large international testing and certification organisation. In the UK, DEKRA inspections are generally condition based and focused on compliance or fleet style assessments rather than consumer protection.

DEKRA inspections confirm the condition of the vehicle at the time of inspection only and do not include guarantees or buyer protection.


DEKRA Inspection Packages and Pricing

DEKRA Basic Inspection

Price: £99 to £145

  • Inspection covering up to 155 items
  • Checks for previous body repairs
  • Road test up to 5 miles
  • Vehicle data check for pre purchase inspections
  • No diagnostic scan included

Vehicle limits:

  • Vehicles up to 10 years old
  • No sports cars, high performance vehicles, 4×4 vehicles, or write offs

DEKRA Van Inspection

Price: From £180

  • Inspection covering up to 156 items
  • Checks for previous body repairs
  • Road test up to 5 miles
  • Vehicle data check for pre purchase inspections
  • No diagnostic scan included

Vehicle limits:

  • Vehicles up to 20 years old

DEKRA Motorhome Inspection

Price: From £220

  • Inspection covering up to 192 items
  • Road test up to 10 miles
  • Mechanical and main electrical function checks
  • Checks for previous body repairs
  • Internal and external cosmetic checks excluding habitation area
  • Air conditioning
  • Electrical items excluding habitation area
  • Vehicle data check
  • No diagnostic scan included

Vehicle limits:

  • Vehicles up to 20 years old

DEKRA Comprehensive Inspection

Price: £170 to £280

  • Inspection covering up to 202 items
  • Checks for previous body repairs
  • Road test
  • Vehicle data check
  • No diagnostic scan included

Vehicle limits:

  • Vehicles up to 20 years old

DEKRA High Performance Vehicle Inspection

Price: £210 to £400

  • Inspection covering up to 230 items
  • Checks for previous body repairs
  • Road test
  • Vehicle data check
  • No diagnostic scan included

Vehicle limits:

  • Vehicles up to 20 years old

DEKRA Cancellation Fees

  • Cancellation within 24 hours of the appointment: £76
  • Cancellation more than 24 hours before the appointment: £35

Vehicles DEKRA Does Not Inspect

DEKRA does not inspect:

  • Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes
  • All American imports including Pontiac and Corvette
  • All limousines
  • All hybrid vehicles
  • All motorcycles
  • All kit cars
  • Buick models
  • London taxis
  • Smart cars

Some vehicles may be visually checked, but full inspections are not offered.


CAREXAMER vs DEKRA: Key Differences

Diagnostics

CAREXAMER includes diagnostic scans on every inspection.
DEKRA does not include diagnostic scans on any inspection package.

Buyer Protection

CAREXAMER provides repair cost estimates and clear buying advice.
DEKRA provides condition reporting only.

Vehicle Coverage

CAREXAMER inspects a much wider range of vehicles.
DEKRA excludes many modern, specialist, and alternative fuel vehicles.

Speed and Convenience

CAREXAMER offers faster availability and rapid reporting.
DEKRA follows standard booking and turnaround processes.


Final Verdict: CAREXAMER vs DEKRA

CAREXAMER and DEKRA serve very different purposes. DEKRA inspections may be suitable for compliance checks or fleet condition reporting, but they are not designed to protect private used car buyers from hidden faults or future repair costs.

Independent pre purchase car inspection service like CarExamer are built for consumers who want transparency, diagnostics, speed, flexibility, and real protection when buying a used vehicle.

For UK buyers who want confidence and value, CAREXAMER inspections offer a more comprehensive and consumer focused solution than DEKRA inspections.

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