For a used car, many buyers first run a history report by VIN. For a phone worth 400-1,600 EUR, most only look at the screen and the battery. The risks are of the same kind: a device reported stolen, locked by the previous owner, with unpaid instalments, or a different model from the one advertised.
This page explains what a "history" means for a phone, what you can find out for free, what costs money and how the services that do this compare.
Side-by-side comparison
| Criterion | codat.ro (phones) | carVertical (cars) |
|---|---|---|
| What it checks | Phones, tablets, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods, by IMEI or serial | Cars and motorcycles, by VIN |
| Identifier | IMEI (15 digits, *#06#) or serial number | VIN (17 characters) |
| What the report contains | Blacklist, iCloud/Knox/MDM, carrier lock, warranty, real model and capacity, lock risk, service history (Apple Complet) | Damage, mileage, photos from previous sales, theft check, equipment, market price |
| Price per report | 3,99-24,99 lei, one-off payment | RON 140 for one report, RON 80 per report in the 3-pack |
| Company and invoice | Romanian company, fiscal invoice issued automatically | UAB cV Group, Lithuania, VAT invoice from the account |
| Language | 17 languages, including Romanian | Romanian version available |
| Time | Generated on demand, usually within tens of seconds | "In seconds", according to the site |
Data about codat.ro comes from the live catalogue and updates automatically. Data about the other services is what they published on the date checked. Trademarks belong to their owners.
What the "history" of a phone means
A phone has no owner register like a car. It does have a few databases that say something about its state: the GSMA registry and carrier lists (stolen, lost, unpaid instalments), the manufacturer servers (iCloud, Activation Lock, Knox Guard, MDM, warranty, activation date) and, for Apple, the GSX service history.
A good report reads all of them, puts them next to the model the seller declared and gives you a verdict you can use before paying. A weak report only shows the model from the first digits of the IMEI, which you can do yourself, for free.
How to choose a verification service
- Look at what it actually checks: "IMEI check" can mean model identification only. Blacklist, iCloud and carrier lock are separate checks.
- Look at who issues the invoice: an identifiable company, with a registration number and address, is accountable for what it sells. Several sites in this field publish no legal entity at all.
- Check the support language: if the report comes only in English, a term like "Activation Lock: ON" is yours to interpret.
- Compare the price of a complete check, not of a single field. Credit-based services sell every piece of information separately.
What to choose
When a free tool is enough
- You only want to confirm the IMEI is valid and which model it points to: the first 8 digits (TAC) can be checked for free on several sites.
- You want the warranty of an iPhone and have the serial number: Apple Check Coverage is free.
- You buy from a shop with its own invoice and warranty, and the theft or lock risk is covered by that warranty.
When a codat.ro report is worth it
- You buy from a private seller, on OLX, Publi24, Facebook Marketplace or in a group.
- You want blacklist, iCloud/Knox, carrier lock, warranty and real model in a single report, with an invoice.
- The phone comes from another country or the seller cannot show the purchase invoice.
Sources and date checked
Information about other services comes from their public pages, read on the date below. Their prices and offers can change at any time; if you spot a difference, write to contact@codat.ro and we will correct it.
- carVertical, pricing page for Romaniahttps://www.carvertical.com/ro/pricing · checked on 27 October 2026
- carVertical, terms and conditions (legal entity, payment, VAT)https://www.carvertical.com/ro/terms-and-conditions · checked on 27 October 2026
- carVertical, about the product (vehicles, VIN)https://www.carvertical.com/about-us · checked on 27 October 2026
- GSMA, device registry and Device Checkhttps://www.gsmaservices.com/device-services/device-check/ · checked on 27 October 2026
Codat.ro technical team · 27 October 2026
Read the verification methodologyFrequently asked questions
Does carVertical check phones too?
No. On the date checked, carVertical offers history reports for vehicles only, by VIN. For phones you need a service that checks by IMEI or serial number.
Is there a free "carVertical for phones"?
Partly. The model from the IMEI and the Apple warranty by serial can be checked for free. Blacklist, iCloud, Knox and carrier lock come from sources that cost money, which is why the full report is paid at every service in this field.
How much does a codat.ro report cost?
Between 3,99-24,99 lei, depending on the brand and the level chosen. One-off payment, no subscription, invoice issued automatically.