Diploma in Technical and Legal Due Diligence of Vehicles
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in technical and legal due diligence of vehicles. 8 modules covering identification and title, technical inspection, authenticity, documentary review, legal and tax aspects and valuation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Technical and Legal Due Diligence of Vehicles — studying from the United States
Restoration and classic vehicle engineering is a niche but active field in the United States, supported by a large enthusiast community and well-established events such as the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and Hershey's AACA Fall Meet. Specialist restoration shops, museums and collector car firms require engineers who understand historic materials, mechanical systems and period-correct design. Work often combines traditional craftsmanship with modern diagnostics and documentation. Professional connections are typically built through clubs and heritage organizations.
Fees for the United States: US$2,000 (US Dollars), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United States
Typical roles
Questions from the United States
Is there formal professional recognition for classic vehicle restoration in the US?
Restoration is mostly a craft and hobby sector without a licensed engineering title. Relevant organizations include the Antique Automobile Club of America and the Society of Automotive Historians. Some work touches on SAE standards and state vehicle inspection rules. SEIUM's qualifications are private, and their value depends on the client or employer.
What career options exist in classic and restoration work in the US?
Options include independent restoration shops, dealerships specializing in classic cars, auction houses, museums, and collector-focused consultancies. Roles range from restoration technician to project manager. Because this sector values reputation and craftsmanship, portfolios and references often matter more than formal credentials.
Can I study this part-time while working in the US?
Yes, the programmes are fully online and taught in English, so you can study from home and no student visa is needed. Workloads run from 300 hours for specialist courses to 1,900 hours for master's programmes. Fees are payable in instalments, and you can plan study around your existing work commitments.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Plan a complete technical and legal due diligence.
Verify the identity and title of a vehicle.
Carry out rigorous technical inspections.
Assess authenticity and originality.
Review documentary consistency.
Identify the legal and tax risks of a transaction.
Value the vehicle and support the negotiation.
Who it's for
- Vehicle purchase inspectors looking to formalise their due diligence methods.
- Appraisers and valuers working with collector and specialist vehicles.
- Legal advisers on vehicle sales and purchases.
- Authenticity experts.
- Fleet acquisition managers.
- Investment consultants in collector vehicles.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the collector vehicle sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 3779 (vehicle identification number)
- ISO 4030 (location and attachment of the VIN)
- Royal Decree 2822/1998 (Spanish General Vehicle Regulations)
- Law 10/2010 (Spanish prevention of money laundering)
- Royal Decree 892/2013 (Spanish Historic Vehicle Regulations)
- FIVA Turin Charter (preservation of historic vehicles)
- Royal Legislative Decree 1/2007 (Spanish consumer and user protection)
- Microsoft Excel
- Adobe Acrobat
- Agisoft Metashape
- Autel MaxiSys
8 modules
1.1Concept and scope of due diligence1.2Collector, fleet and special vehicles1.3Risks in buying and selling1.4Information asymmetries1.5Phases of the process1.6Multidisciplinary team1.7Technical and legal scope1.8Costs and timescales1.9Final report and decision1.10Workshop: scope of a due diligence on a collector vehicle
2.1ISO 3779 vehicle identification number2.2Location of markings under ISO 40302.3Vehicle registration and the DGT (Spanish traffic authority)2.4Charges, seizures and retention of title2.5Ownership history2.6Import documentation2.7Stolen vehicles and police databases2.8Duplicates and cloned vehicles2.9Manufacturer certificates2.10Practical exercise: registry verification of a vehicle
3.1Inspection protocols3.2Bodywork and structure3.3Engine and transmission3.4Suspension, steering and brakes3.5Electrical system3.6Interior and equipment3.7Road test3.8Electronic diagnostics3.9Paint thickness measurement3.10Case study: pre-purchase inspection
4.1Matching numbers4.2Period components versus reproductions4.3Restorations and their quality4.4Modifications and reversibility4.5FIVA Turin Charter4.6Competition history and provenance4.7Detection of tampering4.8Opinion of marque experts4.9Degree of originality4.10Practical exercise: originality report
5.1Invoices and maintenance records5.2Historical photographs5.3Restoration certificates5.4Type approvals and technical data sheets5.5Classification as a historic vehicle5.6Roadworthiness inspections5.7Competition documents5.8Documentary consistency5.9Detection of forged documents5.10Workshop: consistency analysis of a dossier
6.1Sale and purchase contract6.2Hidden defects and remedies6.3Warranties in professional sales6.4Anti-money laundering in high-value transactions6.5Import, customs duties and VAT6.6Registration tax6.7Transfer of ownership and agency handling6.8Auction sales and conditions6.9Jurisdiction and disputes6.10Case study: clauses of a sale and purchase contract
7.1Valuation methods7.2Market and auction comparables7.3Adjustments for condition and originality7.4Cost of outstanding repairs7.5Valuation for insurance7.6Negotiation based on findings7.7Escrow and secure payments7.8Delivery and acceptance7.9After-sales follow-up7.10Practical exercise: valuation adjusted for findings
8.1Selection of the vehicle8.2Due diligence plan8.3Verification of identity and title8.4Technical inspection8.5Authenticity analysis8.6Legal and tax review8.7Valuation and recommendation8.8Conclusions8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine it with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Microsoft Excel, Adobe Acrobat, Agisoft Metashape and Autel MaxiSys, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Procedures are studied on real cases of pre-purchase technical inspections, registry and title verification, and valuation reports adjusted for findings. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final project.
Standards covered: ISO 3779, ISO 4030, Royal Decree 2822/1998, Law 10/2010, Royal Decree 892/2013, FIVA Turin Charter, Royal Legislative Decree 1/2007.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Microsoft Excel, Adobe Acrobat, Agisoft Metashape, Autel MaxiSys, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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