Found a vehicle on willhaben and not sure whether the listing is legit? Paste the willhaben link into InseratCheck – we automatically analyse the listing for missing MOT/roadworthiness test (HU) details, accident indications, risky wording and more. The first 3 analyses are free.
Why a second look pays off
willhaben is Austria's largest online marketplace – for used cars too. With that volume, no marketplace in the world can verify every detail. That's not an accusation – it's the reality of the used car market: mileage, maintenance history or accident-free status – these details come from the seller. Nobody checks them for you.
The result: buyers are often faced with listings that are incomplete or misleadingly worded – sometimes unintentionally, sometimes through deliberately omitted information and details you simply don't know about without experience.
The most common risks in willhaben listings
These six risks come up most often in willhaben listings:
Missing or expiring MOT/roadworthiness test (HU)
The §57a-Überprüfung (Austria's periodic vehicle inspection, the equivalent of the German HU/MOT) is one of the most important details in a listing. If it's missing or expires soon, it costs you as the buyer hard cash. InseratCheck checks whether HU details are given and whether the test expires soon.
Gaps in the service history
A vehicle without a complete service book or without proof of servicing is a clear risk signal. InseratCheck detects when the listing text says nothing about a service book and asks targeted questions about the maintenance history. If a service date is explicitly mentioned in the text, we detect that as well and point it out.
Accident indications in the listing text
“Unfallfrei laut Vorbesitzer” (accident-free according to the previous owner) – this wording means nothing. InseratCheck detects terms like “Unfallschaden” (accident damage), “beschädigt” (damaged) or “Unfallfahrzeug” (accident vehicle) directly in the listing text.
Indications of a commercial sale
Some listings are explicitly aimed only at dealers or commercial buyers – not at private individuals. This is often an attempt to get around the statutory warranty: as a commercial seller, the vendor would be obliged to provide a warranty to private buyers. Something similar applies to “Kundenauftrag” (sale on behalf of a customer): here a dealer sells on behalf of a private seller – which means the statutory dealer warranty no longer applies. InseratCheck detects both variants in the listing text and points them out to you.
Imported vehicles without clear labelling
Vehicles from abroad are sometimes listed as normal used cars without clear labelling. InseratCheck detects indications of imported vehicles, US re-imports and export vehicles in the listing text.
Risky wording in the description
Certain wording is a direct warning sign. Among other things, InseratCheck detects: “wie gesehen” (as seen), “verkauft wie besichtigt” (sold as inspected), “Bastler” (for hobbyists/project car), “Projektwagen” (project car), “Teileträger” (parts donor), “kein Scheckheft” (no service book), “Motorschaden” (engine damage), “Getriebeschaden” (gearbox damage), “Hagelschaden” (hail damage).
A concrete example: what a risky listing looks like
willhaben listing: BMW 3 Series, built 2017, 98,000 km, €18,900. Offered by “Privat” (private seller).
InseratCheck analyses the link and finds:
- No service book mentioned in the listing text – InseratCheck asks specifically for proof of servicing
- MOT/roadworthiness test (HU) details missing from the text
- Description contains: “Fahrzeug wird verkauft wie besichtigt” (vehicle sold as inspected) – a classic liability exclusion
InseratCheck result: Medium risk. Pointers on missing proof of servicing, missing HU (roadworthiness test) details and a sale without warranty. Before a viewing, you should specifically request copies of the service book and the §57a report (Austrian inspection report).
What InseratCheck detects in willhaben listings
InseratCheck automatically analyses the listing and evaluates more than 30 risk factors:
- Missing or soon-expiring HU (MOT/roadworthiness test) / §57a-Überprüfung (Austrian inspection)
- Missing service book details; if a service date is mentioned in the text, we check whether it was more than 12 months ago
- Accident indications in the listing text (e.g. “Unfallschaden” (accident damage), “beschädigt” (damaged), “Unfallfahrzeug” (accident vehicle))
- Indications of a commercial sale or a sale on behalf of a customer
- Imported vehicles, US re-imports, export vehicles
- Risky wording such as “wie gesehen” (as seen), “Bastler” (for hobbyists), “Teileträger” (parts donor), “Motorschaden” (engine damage), “Getriebeschaden” (gearbox damage)
- Missing basic details such as mileage or MOT/roadworthiness test (HU)
The result: a score of up to 100 points with concrete pointers – so you know what to clarify before the viewing.
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How it works
- Open the willhaben listing and copy the link
- Paste the link on inseratcheck.de
- Start the analysis – the result appears in seconds
- Read the concrete pointers and ask targeted questions
No registration. No app. No hidden costs. The first 3 analyses are free.
Why InseratCheck?
Most buyers rely on their gut feeling when buying a used car – or on the seller's well-groomed appearance. Neither is any protection. InseratCheck replaces gut feeling with a systematic analysis of the listing text – whether on willhaben or another platform.
Not every risk can be read from the listing. But many can – if you know what to look for. That's exactly what InseratCheck does: systematically, quickly and for free. So you turn up to the viewing with the right questions – instead of regretting it afterwards.
Frequently asked questions about checking willhaben listings
How do I analyse a willhaben listing with InseratCheck?
Copy the link of the listing on willhaben and paste it on inseratcheck.de. The analysis starts automatically – you get a result in seconds.
Does InseratCheck work for Austria too?
Yes. willhaben listings are fully analysed. The first 3 analyses are free.
What does the analysis cost?
The first 3 analyses are free. After that: 7 days for €4.99 · 30 days for €9.99 · one-off payment, no subscription.
How reliable is the result?
InseratCheck evaluates only the listing text. It's an automated risk assessment – not a technical vehicle inspection. The tool helps you ask the right questions and spot risk signals early – before you invest time and money in a viewing.
What do I do if InseratCheck reports a high risk?
Don't cancel straight away – but ask targeted questions. Use the concrete pointers from the analysis: request copies of the service book, the §57a report (Austrian inspection report) and the vehicle registration certificate. Have the vehicle checked by an independent garage before buying. InseratCheck can help you find a partner garage near where the vehicle is located.
Analyse your willhaben listing for free now
Paste the link of your willhaben listing on inseratcheck.de – and get a detailed risk assessment in seconds. Free, no registration.
Anyone who buys a vehicle without checking it pays twice: once when buying, and again with the next garage bill. InseratCheck gives you the information you need – before it's too late.