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Buying a used car can be risky when you're unsure of the vehicle's full history. Hidden accidents, title issues, or past damage may not be overlooked. These red flags can result in costly consequences later.
Whether you're a first-time buyer, a cautious shopper, or simply seeking to make a more informed decision, this article will help you know if a car has been in an accident and protect yourself during the used car buying process.
What You'll Learn in this Guide
In this article, you will learn:
The purpose and contents of a vehicle history report
How to access free and paid vehicle history resources
The importance of using vehicle history information to make a safer, more informed car buying decision
Overview
What Is a Vehicle History Report?
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A vehicle history report is a background check for a used car. It pulls records from multiple sources to provide a comprehensive view of the vehicle’s history. It can reveal problems, including hidden damage and flood issues. It can also determine whether the car was previously a salvage vehicle.
Here's a breakdown of what a vehicle history report typically explains:
Accident History: This includes any accident reports linked to the car. It notes the severity of the crash, where the impact occurred, and whether the airbags deployed.
Damage History: Details about other types of damage, including harm from floods, fires, hail, and collisions.
Odometer Readings: Includes mileage checkpoints throughout the car’s life. Verify whether the current reading is accurate and detect signs of odometer rollback.
Ownership History: This section displays the number of owners of the vehicle. It also shows how long each one kept it, and in which states it was registered. It also indicates whether the car was used for personal driving, rental, or commercial purposes.
Recall Information: This section lists any safety recalls and shows whether those repairs were done. Recalls are key to avoiding future problems.
Service and Maintenance Records: Track regular maintenance like oil changes, inspections, and repairs.
Theft Records: You’ll learn if the vehicle was ever reported as stolen.
Title History: Check whether the title is clean or the vehicle was marked as salvage, rebuilt, or totaled because of significant damage. This will also indicate whether there is a lien on the car, which could lead to legal issues if not cleared.
What is a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)?
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is the key to building a vehicle history report. It serves as a unique identifier for every car. It also allows for the retrieval of detailed records about its past. A VIN is a unique 17-character code that acts like a car’s fingerprint. If a VIN is less than 17 characters, it will likely belong to a car manufactured before 1981. Older vehicles used shorter VINs.
No two vehicles have the same VIN, which provides valuable information about the car. This includes its features, specifications, manufacturer, and history. It also encompasses recalls, registrations, insurance coverage, and theft reports.
You can find the VIN:
On the dashboard (driver’s side, near the windshield)
On the door frame (driver’s side)
On your insurance card, insurance policy, vehicle title, or registration documents.
Obtaining a Free History Report
You can obtain a free history report in the following ways.
Government Resources
National Insurance Crime Bureau (NCIB)
NICB is a nonprofit organization dedicated to combating insurance fraud and vehicle theft. NICB’s VINCheck is entirely free. It helps the public determine if a vehicle has a history of insurance theft claims, remains unrecovered, or has been reported as a salvage vehicle. To run a check, you need the VIN. You can access up to five VIN check searches within 24 hours from the same IP address.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) does not provide accident history information using a vehicle's VIN. However, it offers a free VIN Decoder to identify other essential vehicle information. It identifies a car's model, assembly plant location, safety systems, and other features. It primarily checks for any open safety recalls on a specific vehicle.
Other VIN Check Services
Several VIN check websites may offer basic information about a vehicle. However, some typically charge an additional fee for more detailed historical information. Many of these websites operate on a tiered system, where a basic overview is often free, but in-depth reports require a payment.
Website with Free VIN Check Options:
iSeeCars VIN Report offers a free basic report and a more detailed analysis for a fee. This includes pricing analysis, accident history, recalls, and ownership records. iSeeCars's free reports contain a substantial amount of information.
Websites that Mostly Offer Paid Reports (with limited or no free options):
ClearVin charges an additional fee for further historical vehicle information.
EpicVIN charges an additional fee for detailed vehicle history reports.
VinAudit.com requires an additional charge for comprehensive vehicle history reports.
Vinsmart.com charges for access to detailed vehicle history reports.
Dealer Provided Reports
Dealers' reports differ from the full vehicle history reports from VIN check websites. These reports come from the dealership selling the vehicle, not from VIN check websites.
A dealer-provided report aims to inform potential buyers about the vehicle the dealership is selling. While the report can be helpful, remember it reflects the seller’s point of view. These reports highlight the vehicle’s current condition and provide the dealership's firsthand knowledge. They work best as a supplement to independent reports.
Dealerships typically provide potential buyers with dealer-provided reports at no cost. However, these reports often cover less history than the paid vehicle history reports from VIN check websites. They may overlook important information, including past accidents, title issues, or other undisclosed problems.
Final Thoughts: Protect Yourself with a Vehicle History Report
A vehicle history report is essential for anyone considering purchasing a used car. Free tools like NICB’s VINCheck and basic vehicle history reports from certain websites are a good starting point. However, it’s essential to know that not all records may be included. These may overlook serious issues, such as an insurance theft claim or undisclosed damage.
Investing in a vehicle history report helps you verify the car’s background and make an informed decision. Protect yourself by learning as much as you can before making a purchase.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to check the accident history of a vehicle for free?
You can use free tools like NICB’s VINCheck or NHTSA’s Recall Lookup. Some sites, such as iSeeCars, provide free basic accident reports.
Is there a free CARFAX report?
Not usually. CARFAX reports are paid, but some dealers offer a free CARFAX when you shop for a used car through them.
How to check a car service history for free?
Service history is more complex to find for free. You typically need to request maintenance records from the seller or contact the service shop directly, if the seller agrees. Free online VIN checks might show basic details, but rarely include a full service history.
Can I check my VIN history for free?
Yes. You can use NICB’s VINCheck, NHTSA’s Recall Lookup, and free options on iSeeCars to check basic VIN history without paying.
