So you know
who is behind it.
There is no corporation behind checkmycarup — just a 25-year-old founder from Ingolstadt who built the solution he needed himself.
Kerem Uyar
Founder & managing director · 25 · Ingolstadt
“For three years I looked for a real problem in everyday life — not a cool idea, but something that genuinely annoys people. Then I ran into it myself: I wanted to buy a car, drove across half of Germany, and every time something was off. Time gone, patience gone.”
“That is when I knew: this must not happen to anyone again. checkmycarup is my answer — honest, independent, and for everyone who simply wants to know what they are buying.”
“This is how I pitched checkmycarup.”
The appearance on the YouTube show “Startup Stage” — Kerem's part starts at 35:51.
The story behind checkmycarup
From apprentice to founder — how a personal frustration turned into a platform.
2017
Apprenticeship at a large corporation
At 16, Kerem starts an apprenticeship at one of Germany's largest companies and stays for eight years.
2020
The turning point
After finishing the apprenticeship it becomes clear: “Working for someone else can't be all there is.” The wish to build something of his own grows.
April 2023
The idea
Buying a car himself, the same thing keeps happening: drive there, be disappointed, lose a day. That frustration becomes the idea behind checkmycarup.
March 2025
All in.
Kerem quits his secure job to focus on checkmycarup full time.
February 2026
Applying to Startup Stage
Kerem applies to the YouTube show “Startup Stage” and pitches his idea to investors.
March 2026
The video goes viral
The pitch airs on 7 March. The community loves the idea and the comments are overwhelmingly positive — even though the investors pass on the day.
June 2026
Official launch
After three months of building it himself, checkmycarup goes live on 1 June.
Today
100 inspectors, a growing community
More than 100 independent inspectors and the first dealers are on board. The goal: a more honest car market across Germany.
Our mission
Every used car purchase in Germany should be transparent. checkmycarup brings people together — inspectors, buyers and dealers help each other so that nobody gets cheated again. Together we are building an honest car market in Germany.
— Kerem Uyar, founder