Considering Buying a Used Car? Reasons to Always Check The VIN!
Buying a used car can be an affordable way to get a newer model car with great features, often at a fraction of the original sticker price. However, used cars also carry risks, such as the car may have issues that are not immediately apparent or the seller did not disclose that. This makes thoroughly checking out any used car before buying incredibly important. A VIN check is one critical step that car buyers should not skip.
What is a VIN Check?
VIN stands for “vehicle identification number.” The VIN uniquely identifies every car on the road. It is a 17-character alphanumeric code that reveals key details about that specific vehicle.
A VIN check involves looking up a car’s VIN in an online database or third-party service like carcheckvin.com or another trusted site. These services use the VIN to pull up detailed reports from various records and data sources on that automobile.
A comprehensive VIN check report will provide information to help assess a used car, like:
- Manufacturer and full specifications
- Ownership and title history
- Accident history
- Mileage accuracy
- Maintenance records
- Recall status
Thorough VIN checks from reputable sources can uncover hidden issues, past problems, inconsistencies, and other “red flags” on a used car that might not be detectable upon a test drive and visual inspection alone.
Why is Running a VIN Check Important When Buying a Used Car?
When purchasing a used vehicle, buyers need to verify the complete history and current status of that automobile before handing over their hard-earned money. Running a comprehensive VIN check helps uncover critical details about a used car that protect against buying a lemon, avoid safety hazards, and prevent being grossly overcharged for a car with hidden issues.
Helps Avoid Buying a “Lemon”
No one wants to get stuck with a used car that turns out to be a “lemon” riddled with hard-to-diagnose mechanical flaws and constantly needing repairs. While VIN reports cannot guarantee a trouble-free used car purchase, they can reveal past issues and help assess reliability.
Checks for Accidents and Damage
Even minor accidents can cause lasting issues, especially if repairs are shoddy. Significant damage history also lowers resale value. A VIN check gives insight into past collisions by finding accident reports, insurance claims, and police records specifically tied to that VIN.
Verifies Mileage
Unfortunately, odometer fraud occurs in used cars. An unscrupulous seller may roll back the odometer to show inflatedly low mileage in order to demand a higher selling price. A VIN check looks for inconsistencies by checking maintenance records, title transfers, and more to confirm no tampering has occurred.
Reveals Past Owners
More past owners could indicate issues that led to frequent car flipping, or it could just mean leasing. Checking ownership history provides context to make better inferences.
Checks Safety Recall Status
Unrepaired safety recalls can lead to devastating consequences. VIN checks thoroughly vet a car’s recall status so you do not unknowingly buy an unsafe vehicle.
What Kinds of VIN Checks Are There?
VIN checks range from free and basic verifications to full-service reports costing around $40. While free options confirm basics like make and model, paid VIN reports from reputable third-party companies compile extensive data from thousands of sources to produce thorough vehicle history reports. The scope, accuracy, and unbiased nature of information varies drastically depending on the VIN check service used.
Basic Free VIN Checks
Free VIN checks provide very limited information, usually just specifics like make, model, year, trim package, engine size, etc. They can confirm basics but lack comprehensive historical data found in paid reports.
Dealership VIN Checks
Reputable dealers run VIN checks on their used car inventory as standard procedure. But remember, their priority is making a sale. Relying solely on a dealership VIN check leaves the risk of missing things that are not in the dealer’s best interest to disclose.
Third-Party Vehicle History Reports
Paid services like Carfax and Autocheck deliver thorough, unbiased VIN check reports. They compile data from many sources: DMVs, auctions, insurance companies, repair shops, and more. Their detailed historical insight helps buyers make the most informed decisions.
5 Key Things to Look for in a Used Car VIN Check Report
When you receive your comprehensive vehicle history report, pouring through all those pages full of historical data points may seem daunting. However, not all information is equally important when assessing a used car.
Focus on these 5 most critical factors revealed in quality VIN check reports. If any seem suspicious once scrutinized, see them as red flags to reconsider the purchase or investigate further with a qualified mechanic inspection before proceeding. Train your analysis on these core areas to determine if this used car merits your valued investment or if lingering questions remain that challenge purchasing this automobile.
Ownership History
Trace ownership changes, locations, and business versus personal use. More owners may mean troubles, and gaps may hide issues.
Title Information
Check title status such as salvage, rebuilt, junk, or mileage discrepancies. These drastically lower values.
Accident History
Any accidents or insurance claims should be concerning. Minor fender benders still equal repairs.
Maintenance Records
Consistent dealer maintenance indicates responsible ownership. Major issues will show up here first.
Safety Recall Status
Open recalls are dangerous and expensive to fix. Confirm all recalls were addressed.
How to Check a Car’s VIN Before Buying
Checking a car’s unique VIN is easy. Here are some options:
Online Third-Party Services
The most thorough VIN checks come from major reporting services. Expect to pay around $40 for a single report. The cost is reasonable for valuable peace of mind.
DMV Records Request
Your state DMV can provide title, brand, and accident history tied to a VIN for a reduced cost. However, records are limited compared to third parties with access to more data sources.
Insurance Company Inquiries
Insurers track accident claims in their databases. Ask if a VIN has past collision damage reports. Quotes also hint at issues if premiums seem high for that car’s specs.
Free Decoding Website
Basic free VIN decoders like VinDecoderz display make, model, year, engine, specs, and little else. They are useful starting points to confirm the basics before buying a VIN check.
Certified Pre-Owned Programs
Ask dealers if the car qualifies for certified pre-owned status, requiring thorough dealer inspections and history checks. If not, be wary.
Protect Your Investment With a VIN Check
Buying a used car based solely on face value leaves too much financial risk on the table. An independent, comprehensive VIN check protects against buying blind by uncovering hidden issues in a used car’s past. For roughly $40, a professional vehicle history report brings invaluable peace of mind for making a major purchase decision on a used car.
Test drives and inspections are still recommended, but combining them with thorough VIN checks helps ensure your used car investment will safely and economically transport you wherever you need to go.
