by Jim Travers
The more you know about the history of a used car before buying, the better off you are. Running a check of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a great place to start. The VIN number can provide a wealth of important information about the car, tracing its history from the day it was built.
A VIN is a unique 17 digit alphanumeric code assigned to every new vehicle sold in the United States since the 1950s, and it can be decoded to determine where and when the vehicle was built, along with details on important safety equipment, engine displacement, and more.
Rear our guide on what a VIN is »
Much like a Social Security number, a VIN can also reveal a lot of the car’s history and secrets over time. These include past collisions or flood damage, whether it has ever been stolen, and any recalls or service bulletins that may have needed attention. You can even find out where the car has previously been registered, which can provide insight into regional factors, such as whether it has spent time in a cold climate where it was regularly exposed to road salt and could potentially have corrosion damage.
“A VIN check is imperative for used car shoppers, as it will let you know if the car has a salvage or branded title – that is, if the car has been totaled by an insurance company due to extensive damage from an accident, flood, or other event,” said Jamie Page Deaton, executive editor of U.S. News Best Cars. “Avoiding cars with salvage or branded titles will save consumers some major ownership headaches.”
Free VIN Checks
Best of all, some of this information is available for free. If you’re willing to pay a modest fee, several companies offer services that provide a deeper dive, gathering data from a number of sources. Once you enter the VIN number and your credit card information, these sites will produce a detailed report in a matter of seconds. Here’s a quick look at some of the better options available, and what they provide.
VehicleHistory.com has the most free information available, providing useful data including recalls, safety ratings, original specifications, warranty, and more. The site also includes information about what key safety equipment the vehicle is equipped with, fuel economy data, user reviews, and links to similar vehicles for sale in your area. If the car goes up for sale, VehicleHistory.com can tell you where, as well as its list price, sale price, and the status of its parts and components.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau offers a free VIN check to determine if the vehicle was ever reported stolen, or damaged to the point where it was issued a salvage title. NICB offers up to five free VIN checks from one IP address within a 24 hour period, using data supplied by car insurance companies. As a result, information may not be completely up to date.
Paid VIN Checks
The only way to get the most complete information on a vehicle’s past is to pay for it. But the cost can be a wise investment, saving you a bundle on repairs later by steering you away from a vehicle that has secrets you might want to know.
“Free VIN checks will get you the major red flags, like a salvage title,” Deaton said, “but paying for a VIN can get you more details, like how many owners the car has had.”
The two largest and best known providers of paid VIN check reports are AutoCheck and Carfax. In addition to basic information included with free sites, both provide any history of recalls, thefts, or crashes, as well as detailed reports on the vehicle, including a description and overall evaluation. You can also learn where it was originally sold, and states in which it was previously registered by prior owners. AutoCheck and Carfax reports can dive deep into granular details, including any hail damage, whether the vehicle was leased or has seen service as a government or police vehicle, and if there is evidence of a rolled-back odometer.
Carfax is a partner of U.S. News, meaning that you can get a free Carfax report on many of the vehicles available through our listings. More thorough reports are available through the Carfax website. A single report costs $39.99, or you can get five for $59.99. For really serious shoppers, a package of six is available for $99.99.
AutoCheck offers basic information for free, including a vehicle’s make, model, and country where it was built. Paid reports include details about flood, theft, and/or incident damage, and assign a numerical score for that specific vehicle so you can compare it to others from that same model year. Paid options include a single report for $24.99. If you plan to do multiple searches, you can pay $49.99 to access 25 reports within 21 days. You can also access a whopping 300 reports over 21 days for $99.99.
VINcheck Pro offers some limited information for free and more if you’re willing to pay. Their free report includes the year, make, model, and age of the vehicle, along with country of origin and whether or not it is listed in a recall database. It will not, however, offer recall specifics without purchasing the full report. The site also offers a free environmental score, and links to quotes for insurance and financing. A fee is required to get recall details, vehicle specs, accident history, prior theft, and other historical data. The site is advertising special COVID-19 prices, with one report for $6.95 instead of the usual $9.95. Or, you can opt for a package of up to five reports for $12.95. That bundle is normally $34.75.
If you’re buying from a dealership, remember that many dealers include a free vehicle history report with a vehicle purchase. They often have a subscription to Carfax or another service. If the salesperson doesn’t offer one, don’t be afraid to ask. Chances are they’ll throw in a report if that’s what it takes to close the deal.Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.
News Source: https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news/how-can-i-get-a-free-vin-check/ar-BB1d5hqB