Mobile.de + AutoScout24 in 5 minutes: how to search
Mobile.de and AutoScout24 are, by far, the two largest used car marketplaces in Europe — together, they list more listings than the entire used car supply in Portugal. That's a huge advantage, but also a problem: without knowing how to filter well, it's easy to lose hours browsing irrelevant listings or, worse, considering a car with obvious red flags that went unnoticed.
This guide shows how to search efficiently across both sites in just a few minutes.
1. Start with technical filters, not the brand
Before searching by model, set: fuel type, engine displacement range, CO2 emissions range and first registration year. These four filters have a direct impact on the ISV you'll pay in Portugal — a "cheap" car in Germany may stop being cheap once the tax is added, so it makes sense to filter within the range you already know is tax-advantageous.
2. Pay attention to mileage... and to history
Low mileage is good, but a complete, documented service history (the German Scheckheft) is worth just as much, if not more. Look for listings that mention "Scheckheftgepflegt" (consistently serviced per the booklet) or that provide the Fahrzeugschein/Fahrzeugbrief (the vehicle's official document in Germany).
Red flags not to ignore
Listings mentioning "Unfallwagen" (accident-damaged car), "Exportpreis" (export price, usually without associated warranties) or "Handelsware" (resale merchandise, often without a complete history) deserve a closer look before moving forward.
3. Use location filters to your advantage
Concentrating the search on dealers or sellers within a tighter geographic radius makes transport logistics easier and, in some cases, allows for a physical inspection before purchase — something we do systematically before closing any deal on a client's behalf.
4. Compare the same listing across both sites
It's common for the same German dealer to list the same car on both platforms, sometimes with small differences in price or description. Cross-checking the two listings helps confirm that the information (mileage, equipment, price) is consistent.
5. Set up alerts instead of searching every day
Both mobile.de and AutoScout24 let you save a search and get notified when a new listing matches your criteria. This is particularly useful for more specific configurations — an uncommon colour, a specific equipment pack — that can take weeks to show up. Setting up the alert once saves a lot of repeated manual searching.
6. The listed price is rarely the final price
In Germany, just like in Portugal, there's negotiating room on most listings — even more so when a car has already been listed for several weeks without selling. Small cosmetic defects, an overdue service, or tyres needing replacement are all legitimate negotiating points. In a remote negotiation, having someone validate these details in person before agreeing on a price makes all the difference.
7. Never decide on the listed price alone
The price shown in the listing is rarely the final negotiated value — and never includes the cost of bringing the car to Portugal. This is where the simulator comes in: take the listed price and immediately simulate the total cost, before falling in love with a car that might not fit your budget once ISV, transport and registration are added.
Found an interesting listing?
Enter the price and characteristics of the car you found and immediately see the estimated total cost of bringing it to Portugal.
Simulate this carFrequently asked questions
Do I need to speak German to search on mobile.de?
No — the site has an English version, and the most common technical terms (Scheckheftgepflegt, Unfallfrei, TÜV) are easy to recognise once you've learned them once. And when working with us, we handle all communication with the seller.
Does AutoScout24 have different listings from mobile.de?
There's significant overlap, but each platform also has exclusive sellers — so it's worth searching both instead of picking just one.
How do I know if a listing is trustworthy?
A documented service history, real photos of the interior and dashboard (not just stock images), and a willingness to answer specific questions about the car's condition are good indicators. Before any purchase on a client's behalf, we always run an additional check on the vehicle's history.
Is it worth contacting the seller directly before deciding to import?
It can help clear up quick questions, but a remote negotiation — especially without fluency in German and without the option of an in-person inspection — carries real risks of misunderstandings about the vehicle's actual condition. That's exactly the distance our support eliminates: we validate the listing, confirm the history and negotiate on the client's behalf before any financial commitment is made.
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