“Bastlerfahrzeug”, “Projektwagen”, “für Schrauber” (project car, for DIY mechanics) – when these terms appear in a listing, caution is advised. What exactly is behind them, who such vehicles are suitable for – and who they are not.
What is a project car (“Bastlerfahrzeug”)?
A project car is a used car with considerable, usually known defects that the seller doesn’t want to or can’t fix himself. The vehicle is often not roadworthy or only partly so, won’t pass the TÜV test, or has damage whose repair would exceed its current value.
Typical signs in the listing
Phrases such as: “Bastlerfahrzeug”, “Projektwagen”, “für Schrauber”, “ohne TÜV”, “nicht fahrbereit”, “Motorschaden”, “Getriebedefekt”, “Rostschäden” or “als Teileträger” (project car, no MOT, not drivable, engine damage, gearbox fault, rust damage, for parts). Even if only one of these signs appears, special care is advised.
Who are project cars suitable for?
Project cars can be interesting if you:
- have access to a workshop or lift
- know the model well and can source spare parts
- can realistically assess the damage (get a cost estimate)
- are buying the vehicle for parts and not planning to use it every day
Who are they unsuitable for?
Everyone else. The low purchase price often hides the true total cost. Repairs at a professional workshop can quickly reach many times the purchase price. Without your own workshop and expertise, a project car is almost always a losing deal.
Legal situation
With project cars, the warranty is usually excluded entirely in the purchase contract – which is legal in private sales. So you buy the vehicle entirely at your own risk, with no option to return it.
Check the listing before you drive there
InseratCheck automatically detects project car phrases and rates the risk – before you waste time on a viewing.