Always start with VIN Number Check and get the vehicle history report when you buy a used car.
Always have the car inspected by a trusted mechanic before you buy it. Remember these two simple rules.
The VIN is a 17-character letter-and-digit code found in different locations, usually on stationary parts of a vehicle. It encodes the basic information about a vehicle, like make, model, year, basic specs. This is a unique code that remains the same until the vehicle’s destruction and all the data reported on a specific vehicle is attached to this number.
Still not sure you need a VIN report? Check out the cost of a lemon law attorney and auto insurance and think again!
Any used car may have one or several problems listed below:
The complete list of potential problems is much longer.
Only the full history check can protect you from the above and many other issues and give you peace of mind when you buy a used car.
Many used car buyers start with searching for free car report options. But does this option actually exist?
The honest answer would probably be “no” because the so-called free lookup with larger car history report providers is a teaser that tells absolutely nothing about
the vehicle’s past. It only shows the number of events
reported on a vehicle. An event can be just anything: a regular emission inspection or odometer reading report, a registration event, an ownership change, a loan that
was fully paid off long ago, a reported scratch received on a parking lot, or a major accident, theft, flood damage and
unrebuildable or salvage title. Just anything.
Another option frequently observed on the net is free decoding. It won’t display any specific events reported on a VIN,
only the vehicle’s specifications. However, that information can be of some use as well.
It’s a must when it comes to pre purchase vehicle check, but sometimes not enough to
estimate the actual cost of the car which is based on its wear, especially if
the history discovers odometer rollback.
A carefully driven and properly maintained car will last much longer than the same car
with the same or even smaller odometer reading but neglected or driven on
ruts and humps. Naturally, the seller will do his best to conceal the signs of wear or negligence.
If you are not sure about your proficiency in car examination and
understanding which constituents build up the actual cost of a used car, don’t go to inspect it alone.
Ask someone experienced to help you or better hire an independent
mechanic (NOT the one recommended by the seller!) after running VIN research.
If you are buying a vehicle on an online auction and don’t have the opprtunity to order inspections it is highly recommended to
get vehicle history information from all available sources.
To start with, there are NO free VIN reports. The good news is that there are places where you get get a full vehicle history report VERY cheap.
Unlike most other VIN report services, the above options include not just car but also motorcycle, truck, RV, trailer, camper, motor home and even classic car VIN numbers.
You can also order 25 Reports for 21 Days $49.99 with Autocheck. However, most people don’t need that much and sometimes customers report troubles getting multiple reports in a short while. In this way Autocheck secure themselves from cutsomers reselling reports. However, it’s not a working excuse when you need a car hostory urgently.
VinAudit is a common NMVTIS report. You can get the same one if you use the free lookup form on this page and then check the options.
CARFAX® is a longer established brand and, according to customer reports, it shows more maintenance records than AutoCheck (like oil or lube change). However, AutoCheck reports x2 more accidents because it has its own exclusive accident and auction database. The cost of a single report is $39.99, 5 reports cost $44.99. A pleasant bonus is service records.
Many used car buyers have heard about free lookups. However, the so-called free VIN number check is just a teaser that tells absolutely nothing about the vehicle’s problems. It only shows the number of records reported on a vehicle. Any used car will have records in the history database and a record can be just anything: a regular emission inspection, odometer reading, ownership change, a scratch received on a parking lot, or a major accident, theft, salt water damage and a salvage title. Just anything. You can’t know what a record means unless you get the full vehicle history report.
For stronger protection, it’s a good idea to get all of the above mentioned reports because sometimes certain records are present in just one report provider and missing from others. Using the form on this page will also give you an idea about the best ways to get tha maxinum information.
Car history report is your first, but not last step towards the safe purchase.
If you are considering several cars, the number of candidates will be considerably smaller.
If the vehicle checks out, your next step is car inspection. First, you should thoroughly inspect the car yourself.
Always inspect the car yourself first, ask a friend or partner to help if you are not confident about your own knowledge.
Your last step is pre-purchase inspection by a certified mechanic.
Hiring a reliable independent mechanic (needless to say, not the one recommended by the seller!)
is another must that may cost you about $200 and you want to pay just once.
Start searching for a mechanic or car inspection service well in advance, compare prices, ask what is included in the report.
Our used car inspection guide will help you discard obviously dangerous choices prior to the costly car inspection by an expert.
After that, it’s the mechanic’s job to dig deeper, lift the car to inspect the underneath, pay attention to
your test-driving notes, etc.
Never order the independent car inspection before you check VIN Number and get the vehicle history report! Don’t run the risk of losing thousands of dollars or even life, yours or your loved ones’!