SSANCAR › FAQ › Inspection, Accident History and Mileage Checks on Korean Used Cars
How SSANCAR inspects Korean used cars before you buy
What the pre-purchase inspection covers, how Korean accident and insurance history works, how odometer fraud and flood damage are detected, and what the inspection costs.
Key facts
- Inspections are carried out by Korea Inspectors (Korea Vehicle Inspection & Evaluation Corp.), an SSANCAR affiliate, within 24 hours of request.
- Each report has 50+ photos, 6+ videos (cold start, gear changes, OBD scan, walk-around), a body-panel diagram and the insurance accident history with repair amounts in KRW.
- First 3 inspections are free for trade buyers; after that USD 0 if you buy the car through SSANCAR, USD 30 if you buy elsewhere.
- Korean law punishes false odometer or history statements by dealers with up to 2 years' imprisonment or a KRW 20 million fine (Motor Vehicle Management Act, Art. 80).
Can I get a Korean used car inspected before I pay for it?
Yes. Every car SSANCAR sells is inspected before purchase by Korea Inspectors, and you can request an inspection of any car listed on Korean sites such as Encar, Autohub or Glovis before you commit. The report is delivered within 24 hours (requests before 18:00 Korea time are inspected the next day) and contains 50+ photos, 6+ videos, a body-panel diagram and the insurance history. The first 3 inspections are free for registered dealers.
What does the SSANCAR inspection report include?
The report covers body and frame, engine, transmission, suspension, brakes, tyres, interior, electronics and an OBD diagnostic scan, with 50-80 photos and 6-8 videos (cold start, idle, gear changes, OBD screen, walk-around and underbody). It adds the Korean insurance accident history with claim amounts, the odometer history, the official Korean performance inspection record (성능상태점검기록부) and a Certificate of Inspection issued under Korea's Automobile Management Act. A full road test is not possible before SSANCAR owns the car.
How much does a pre-purchase inspection of a Korean used car cost?
SSANCAR's inspection costs USD 0 if you buy the car through SSANCAR and USD 30 per car if you buy it elsewhere, invoiced monthly. New trade buyers get their first 3 inspections free (credits valid 30 days). Independent pre-shipment inspection companies in Korea (SGS, Intertek, Bureau Veritas, JEVIC) charge about USD 150-650 per car and are required mainly for African and Gulf markets, not for Europe. Inspection scope and pricing can differ by destination market and vehicle type; your sales manager confirms the applicable terms.
Is there a Carfax for Korean used cars?
Yes. Korea's equivalent is Carhistory (카히스토리), run by the Korea Insurance Development Institute (KIDI). It shows insurance-recorded accidents with repair costs, owner changes, use as a rental or taxi, mileage records and a free flood-damage check by VIN or plate. Only incidents claimed through insurance appear, so SSANCAR combines Carhistory with the dealer's legal performance inspection record and its own physical inspection.
How do I know the mileage on a Korean used car is real?
Korean odometers are cross-checked against mileage recorded at each mandatory periodic inspection (every 2 years for private cars, every year for older cars), at insurance claims in Carhistory and in the dealer's performance inspection record, which must state whether mileage is 'normal', 'suspected changed' or 'changed'. Average Korean annual mileage is about 15,000 km. Falsifying mileage is a crime under Korea's Motor Vehicle Management Act (up to 2 years' imprisonment or KRW 20 million fine).
How can I tell if a Korean used car was flooded?
Flood damage can be checked free on KIDI's Carhistory site by VIN, which lists insurance total-loss flood claims. Since June 2023 Korean law bans the export of total-loss flood-damaged cars: they must be scrapped within 30 days. SSANCAR's inspectors also check seat rails, seat-belt lower ends, under-carpet wiring and the spare-wheel well for silt and corrosion.
What is the Korean 'performance inspection record' and is it reliable?
The performance inspection record (성능상태점검기록부) is a legally required document that every Korean dealer must give the buyer under Article 58 of the Motor Vehicle Management Act. It maps 14 frame zones and 16 outer panels with codes for welding (W), replacement (X) and corrosion/damage, and states the odometer status. It is valid for 30 days or 2,000 km and backed by liability insurance. It is reliable for structural history but does not describe wear, so SSANCAR adds its own photo and video inspection.
Does an 'accident-free' Korean car really have no accidents?
No. In Korea, 'accident-free' (무사고) means no structural panel or frame has been replaced or welded; replacing bolt-on parts such as bumpers, doors, fenders, bonnet or tailgate does not count. Korean auction grades work the same way: a letter 'A' means no structural repair, not no damage. Ask for the Carhistory report and the panel diagram to see all recorded repairs.
Can I visit Korea to inspect cars myself?
Yes. SSANCAR hosts dealer visits to its Siheung office, the inspection yard and the Hyundai Glovis and Autohub auction sites, which are 30-60 minutes from Incheon Airport. For established partners SSANCAR covers half of the flight ticket. Most European dealers, however, buy remotely using the photo and video reports and reserve visits for the first large order.
Who is Korea Inspectors and why does SSANCAR use them?
Korea Inspectors (koreainspectors.com, 주식회사 자동차진단평가법인) is an inspection company affiliated with SSANCAR whose certified inspectors work in Seoul, Gyeonggi, Incheon, Daejeon, Gwangju, Daegu, Ulsan, Busan and Changwon. Using regional inspectors means a car anywhere in Korea can be inspected within 24 hours before it is bought, instead of after it reaches the export yard.