Does every Korean car have a report?

Cars going through an auction or an official dealer do. A private sale may have none — and we say so plainly when that is the case.

Can the report be wrong?

It is produced by an independent inspector against a standard scheme, which makes it more reliable than a seller's description. But it is a snapshot of one date, not a guarantee about the future.

What does the report not show?

It is not a full mechanical diagnosis and it does not predict failures. It shows condition at the time of inspection.

6 September 2026

How to read a Korean inspection report

On the Korean market every car passes an independent inspector before sale. The result is not a paragraph but a table: each body panel and each main assembly carries a grade. These are the lines that matter most.

The body, panel by panel

The body is broken into panels: bonnet, wings, doors, boot, roof, bumpers. Each is graded on its own.

What matters is not whether there is a remark but where. A remark on a bumper or a wing is ordinary life. A remark on a chassis rail or a pillar means the structure took an impact — a different conversation, and a different price.

Engine and gearbox

Graded separately, usually on three levels: sound, acceptable, needs repair.

"Needs repair" does not automatically mean walk away — it means the cost is known in advance and belongs in the sum. The problem case is when the grade is missing altogether.

Mileage

The mileage in the report is recorded by the inspector on the date of inspection. It is an independent record, not a dashboard number repeated by a seller.

If the mileage in the advert is lower than the one in the report, the question is not whether there is a mistake. The question is why.

Battery health on hybrids and EVs

Hybrids and electric cars carry a separate line for high-voltage battery condition. It is the single most expensive component in such a car.

A ten-year-old car with a good battery grade is a better buy than a five-year-old one with a poor one. Replacement runs to several thousand euros.

The inspector's remarks

The free text at the end is the most underrated part. It carries what a table cannot: signs of repainting, inconsistencies, structural modifications, missing paperwork.

We translate it and show it as written. If it says something unwelcome, you see it before you pay, not after delivery.

FAQ

Does every Korean car have a report?: Cars going through an auction or an official dealer do. A private sale may have none — and we say so plainly when that is the case.
Can the report be wrong?: It is produced by an independent inspector against a standard scheme, which makes it more reliable than a seller's description. But it is a snapshot of one date, not a guarantee about the future.
What does the report not show?: It is not a full mechanical diagnosis and it does not predict failures. It shows condition at the time of inspection.

Want to see a real report?

Ask about a specific car — we send the report with the quote, before any payment.