How to Get a VIN Check Before Buying a Used Car

If you’re considering purchasing a used car, it’s wise to do some digging to find out more about its history. With a quick check of the vehicle identification number (VIN), you can uncover the car’s life story, including previous ownership, maintenance history, accidents and safety recalls. While paid VIN checks give you a more detailed report, you can still get useful information about the vehicle with a free VIN check that will help you with your decision.

We’ll walk you through how to get a free VIN check and what to do with the report.

How to check a VIN number

Much like a Social Security number is assigned to a person, a VIN is assigned to each vehicle at the time of manufacturing. Since this 17-digit alphanumeric code is unique, checking the VIN number will only provide details about that specific car.

Here is the process for checking a VIN number for a car:

Find the VIN

Although all vehicles manufactured since 1981 have a VIN, it isn’t always displayed on the same part of the vehicle. When locating your VIN, check in a few different places, including the driver’s side door jamb, driver’s side windshield and under the hood at the front of the engine, which are the three common locations for VINs.

Use a VIN check website

VIN checks can be performed for free, but there are also websites that offer paid VIN checks. When opting for a paid VIN check, you have access to more detailed information about the vehicle; however, the basic details included in the free report can be just as helpful when buying a used car online, from a dealership or from a private seller.

Where to find free VIN checks

• Driving-Tests: By entering the VIN, you can get details about the vehicle’s brand, make and model, model year, manufacturer, assembly plant, body style and engine size. Because this information is what manufacturers submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a VIN check completed by NHTSA will display similar information.
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA): The VIN decoder uses the VIN and manufacture date to locate basic details about the vehicle. The VIN check report includes vehicle make and model, model year, body style, engine size, brand, manufacturer and assembly plant.
• Vehicle History: A VIN check with Vehicle History provides basic vehicle details, including a list of historical events, such as manufacture date and sales, vehicle specifications and safety recalls.
• National Insurance Crime Bureau: NICB’s VinCheck shows whether the vehicle is reported as stolen or has a salvage title, a type of vehicle title indicating a past accident or other event that caused significant damage.

Where to find paid VIN checks

• CarFax: CarFax offers a more detailed vehicle history report for $39.99, $59.99 and $99.99, depending on how many reports you need.
• NMVTIS-approved providers: The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System’s approved providers offer VIN checks at varying prices.
  • CheckthatVIN: $3.50
  • VINSmart: $8.95
  • ClearVIN: $14.95
  • VINData: $14.99
  • EpicVIN: $16.99

Review the VIN check report

After inputting the VIN, you’ll have access to the VIN check report. You’ll want to review the report and all the information provided, but there are a few specific things you should watch for as you look through this report.

Does the vehicle match the VIN check report?

The VIN check report includes the vehicle manufacturer, make and model and model year. This information should match the title and description of the used car you are considering purchasing. If the information in the VIN check report and title don’t match, it could be due to a clerical error or the car being stolen.

Does it have a clear title?

Pay close attention to the type of damages and repairs listed, but also look out for a hold or lien that can prevent the sale of the vehicle. For example, if the seller financed the vehicle, the bank or financial institution may still have a lien on it if the car hasn’t been paid off.

Does it have any unrepaired recalls?

Depending on the VIN check tool used, the report may list relevant safety recalls. If any are listed, confirm whether the repair has been performed. An unrepaired recall means a repair is needed. Luckily, safety recall repairs are generally free and can be done by a local dealership.

What to do with your VIN check

After you’ve completed the VIN check and closely looked over the report, you can decide whether buying the car is a good idea. Ideally, you’ve confirmed ownership, recent service and repairs and safety recalls. If you feel comfortable moving forward with the purchase, you can rest a little easier knowing you understand the vehicle’s history.