Vehicle history reports are crucial for used-car buyers because they help to avoid potential problems down the road. These reports act as a background check on a car, providing details about its past, including reported accidents, repair records, and any open recalls. This information allows you to make a more informed decision before purchasing.
What’s Included in a Vehicle History Report?
A vehicle history report is linked to a car’s vehicle identification number, or VIN. Data is collected throughout the car’s lifetime, and the report compiles various records into a single document. Here is some of the information you can expect to find on a vehicle history report:
- Number of Previous Owners and Car Usage: A used car with a single owner and limited wear and tear is often the goal for many buyers. A history report indicates how many times a car has changed hands and whether it was used for personal or commercial purposes, such as a rental car.
- Accidents: Severe collisions (and occasionally minor ones) that are reported to the insurance company usually appear on a vehicle’s history report. If an accident is recent, it might not show up immediately.
- Maintenance Records: Service visits can be detailed in the vehicle history report, showing the routine maintenance or repairs carried out by a mechanic. Dealership service departments are more likely to report maintenance than independent garages. This service history might also have gaps if the car owner performed some of the maintenance, such as oil changes.
- Odometer Rollbacks: Unethical car dealers or individual sellers might tamper with an odometer to lower the mileage and increase the vehicle’s selling price. History reports can flag such scams, making it easier to detect odometer discrepancies.
- Open Recalls: When a manufacturer determines that a car or a car part does not meet basic safety standards, they issue a recall for repairs. A vehicle history report informs you of any recalls and whether the necessary repairs were completed. You can also check for open recalls through the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA).
- Salvage Title: If a car has been in a serious accident, fire, or flood and was deemed a “total loss” by an insurance company, it may still be drivable. However, the insurance company will issue a salvage title to alert future buyers. It is generally advisable to avoid vehicles with salvage titles, as they may have hidden issues and a lower resale value.
Vehicle history reports offer a wealth of information about a car, but they cannot provide a definitive assessment of its mechanical condition or general wear and tear. For that reason, a vehicle history report should not replace a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic. A vehicle history report can provide insight into how a car was treated, the likelihood of its condition, and whether a purchase is worth pursuing.
How to Obtain a Vehicle History Report
Vehicle history reports are available from several sources, but it’s important to know that not all reports are created equal. The most popular providers are Carfax and AutoCheck. These companies offer some of the most comprehensive reports, but they are not free.
- Carfax: A single Carfax report costs $45.00.
- AutoCheck: An AutoCheck report costs $30.00. The per-report cost is lower if you purchase multiple reports.
Other third-party providers also sell history reports online. If you choose this route, make sure you are buying from a trusted source to avoid scams. The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) has a list of approved providers on vehiclehistory.gov. Prices vary, and the NMVTIS-approved reports tend to be shorter with less information.
If you’re wondering how to get a vehicle history report for free, the best approach is to have a dealership or online platform selling the car provide one. They have purchased the report, but it’s free to you. Sometimes, you can download the report from the listing itself. You can also ask private sellers to provide a report, and while not obligated to do so, some will. Make sure you receive the most current report available.
You may come across offers for free VIN checks. Note that these are not the same as a vehicle history report. A VIN check allows you to enter a car’s VIN to obtain limited information, such as whether it has been stolen, but is not a comprehensive report. Some businesses and the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NCIB) offer this service.
