Vehicle History Report: Check a Car Before You Buy

Buying a used car without checking its history can leave important questions unanswered. A vehicle history report can help you research records connected to a vehicle before you decide whether to buy it.

Using the vehicle's 17-character VIN, available records may reveal title problems, reported accidents, salvage history, odometer information, theft records, auction activity, and other useful details.

Check a Vehicle's History

Have the VIN? Use Auto VIN Trace to research the vehicle before you buy.

Vehicle History Report + Easy-to-Understand Risk Summary

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What Is a Vehicle History Report?

A vehicle history report is a collection of available records associated with a specific vehicle. The vehicle is identified using its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

A VIN is normally a unique 17-character identifier assigned to a vehicle. Because the VIN remains associated with that vehicle, it can be used to search databases containing historical records.

What Can a Vehicle History Report Show?

The exact information available depends on the vehicle and the underlying data sources. A report may include:

• Vehicle specifications — year, make, model and other identifying information.
• Title history — available title records and potentially important title brands.
• Salvage or rebuilt records — indications that a vehicle may previously have received a salvage or rebuilt designation.
• Accident or damage records — reported incidents when available.
• Odometer records — mileage readings that may help identify inconsistencies.
• Theft records — available records related to reported vehicle theft.
• Auction or sales history — historical auction or sale information when available.

Different parts of a vehicle's history may require closer investigation. You can learn more about checking title history by VIN, checking accident history by VIN, checking for salvage history, researching auction history by VIN, and checking historical odometer records.

Why Check Vehicle History Before Buying?

A used vehicle can look excellent during an inspection while still having important events in its past.

For example, previous title branding, reported damage, unusual mileage records, or auction history may not be obvious from photographs or a short test drive.

A history report gives you another source of information to consider before committing money to the vehicle.

What Is a VIN?

VIN stands for Vehicle Identification Number. Modern road vehicles generally use a 17-character VIN containing letters and numbers.

You may find the VIN:

• On the dashboard near the windshield
• On the driver's-side door or door frame
• On vehicle registration documents
• On title or insurance documents

Always compare the VIN displayed on the vehicle with the VIN shown on its documents before purchasing.

Can a Vehicle History Report Find Every Accident?

No. A vehicle history report should not be treated as a complete record of everything that has ever happened to a vehicle.

An accident or repair may not appear if the event was never reported to a data source included in the report. Records can also be delayed or incomplete.

If accident history is one of your main concerns, read our guide on how accident history can be checked using a VIN.

For that reason, a history report should complement — not replace — a physical inspection and an independent mechanical inspection.

What Should You Check in a Report?

When reviewing vehicle history, pay particular attention to:

• Salvage or rebuilt title records
• Reported accidents or significant damage
• Unexpected changes in recorded mileage
• Theft records
• Title history
• Auction records or previous sale information

If you encounter a salvage or rebuilt designation, understanding the terminology is important. See what a salvage title means and what a rebuilt title means before evaluating the rest of the vehicle's history.

One record does not automatically tell you whether a vehicle is a good or bad purchase. Instead, use the information to identify questions that deserve further investigation.

Vehicle History Report vs. Vehicle Inspection

These serve different purposes.

A vehicle history report helps you research available historical records. A vehicle inspection evaluates the vehicle's current physical and mechanical condition.

For a used-car purchase, using both can provide a more complete picture than relying on either one alone.

Research Specific Parts of a Vehicle's History

If you want to investigate a particular risk, these guides cover the main areas of vehicle-history research:

• Title Check by VIN
• Accident Check by VIN
• Salvage VIN Check
• Auction VIN Lookup
• Odometer Check by VIN
• Stolen Vehicle VIN Check

If you're researching a vehicle with previous auction activity, you can also learn how to find old auction photos by VIN.

Check the VIN Before You Buy

Auto VIN Trace is being built to make vehicle-history information easier to understand by combining available history records with a simple summary of potential risk signals.

Before buying a used vehicle, check the VIN, review the available history, inspect the vehicle, and investigate anything that does not look right.

Vehicle-history information can be incomplete or unavailable. Auto VIN Trace does not certify the condition or safety of a vehicle and does not replace an independent vehicle inspection.