When buying a used car, you will want to know the history of the vehicle, whether you are buying it from a dealership or an individual. A car is a huge investment, so you want to learn everything about it beforehand as much as possible. When buying a used car, doing a VIN lookup learn about the history of the car can help you make an informed decision. The history report will show you what the car has gone through before it hits the used car market.
Here’s how to do a VIN search before you buy a used car:
- Find the vehicle’s VIN.
- Visit a VIN number lookup website.
- Enter your VIN.
- Get your VIN check report.
What is a VIN number?
Car manufacturers designate a vehicle identification number (VIN) to each of their vehicles and they will have it for life. The VIN comprises 17 alphanumeric characters, which is a code for the country the car was manufactured, the make, brand, model, year, trim level, and other unique specifications and features. Every car that is built from 1981 up to the present uses the same standardized format of vehicle identification number.
Specifically, the VIN is divided into different sections, consisting of letters and digits. These are:
- Digits 1-3. The world manufacturer identifier
- Digits 4-8. Manufacturer specification data
- Digits 9-11. Check digit, model year, and plant location
- Digits 12–17. Vehicle’s serial number
When the VIN on your registration card, insurance, or title matches the one on your vehicle, it is an indication that you are the car owner. For this, the VIN is also useful in identifying and recovering a stolen car.
Where is my VIN number?
The VIN number of your car can be found in various places. These are:
- On the driver’s door frame
- On the driver’s side of the dashboard
- In the passenger footwell
- Behind the spare tire
- On the engine bay frame
The VIN also appears on some documents like on the registration card, service records, auto insurance policy, and car title.
Why is it important to check the VIN number?
There are important details you need to know before buying a used car. When you check its VIN number, you will know if it was involved in an accident and if it has experienced water damage. You will know when it was inspected, if the odometer was rolled back, and if it was reported stolen. You will also learn the number of previous owners through a VIN check.
While you want to know the history of the used car and ensure that it is not stolen, there are other reasons to conduct a VIN lookup. For one, you want the car to be roadworthy; being able to drive it from point A to point B smoothly and safely.
In addition, when you transfer ownership, renew your license plate, or register the vehicle, the VIN will confirm the car’s identity. You may also use it to find out if the previous owner did car maintenance. Moreover, the VIN allows the insurance company to confirm its ownership in the event of a claim. It also ensures your auto insurance policy is rated accordingly.
Armed with the VIN number, you can obtain reliable information about the history of the used car; thus, protecting you from getting scammed.
Can I look up specs of my car with a VIN number?
The basic details regarding car specifications are the engine size, body type, fuel, and transmission. But with VIN, you get detailed data about the vehicle specs, as the number reveals specific information. It includes details regarding its manufacturing site and the kind of equipment the car has.
Car manufacturers link a combination of information to the VIN to provide you with details on the vehicle specifications. You can identify the spec categories on this list:
- Country of origin
- Standard and optional equipment
- Exterior and interior colors
- Engine displacement and transmission type
- Standard and optional mechanical components
- Safety equipment
- Make, model, and model year
Can a VIN number tell you who owns the car?
In compliance with the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) laws, a VIN number lookup does not disclose the vehicle owner’s name. The good news is, performing a VIN lookup can tell you the number of previous owners. Knowing how many owners the vehicle has had helps determine the current condition of the used car. Checking the VIN will give you the list of the owners, including the complete history of the car. You will find information about reported accidents, recalls, thefts, etc.
Also, car manufacturers use VIN numbers to find and get in touch with owners for service updates and safety recalls. For this reason, it makes sense to inform the manufacturer that you are the new owner of their used car, even if it is already out of warranty.
Where can I check my VIN for free?
With a VIN number, you can trace the history of a used car since the day it was built, providing you with a wealth of information. What’s more, you can obtain some of this information for free. You can check your VIN for free at VinCheck.info, which is a VIN check service available for those who want to access vehicle history reports on used cars.
This service can give fast and accurate details about used vehicles to many people for free. This makes obtaining a vehicle history report easily accessible, all the while eliminating the hurdles of using a paid service.
A free VIN check site like VinCheck.info is extremely beneficial not only in providing the necessary information about a used car, but also in the financial aspect. A free and reliable check reduces the hassles of buying a used vehicle and saves you money at the same time.
Is free VIN check reliable?
A free VIN check may be a basic tool but it is extremely valuable when you need to verify that a used car is what the seller or dealer says it is, helping you avoid fraud, deception, and headaches.
There are many websites offering free VIN checks online, and you can take advantage of such reliable services when you need to perform a car history report. You will know the authenticity of the VIN of the used car before buying it through the free lookup service.
The entire process of VIN number lookup only takes a few minutes. Besides doing it free of charge, you will have some peace of mind knowing the used car you are planning to buy is clean and roadworthy.