The Vehicle History Report (VHR) is a document that contains information about the owners and repairs of a particular vehicle, so it is very important to know it before buying a used car. It can be easily obtained through the internet, but the information available for free is often quite limited. Therefore, you will need to know how to evaluate the shortened version and find other ways to get the full report.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Evaluate the Vehicle History Report You Need
Step 1. Understand the limitations of the information you can get for free
The Internet has many commercial sites that provide VHR. However, the free information is limited. For example, CarFax offers a free “myCarFax.com” report that provides a history of car maintenance services, alerts of upcoming services, and recall-related information. Other sites that provide free reports provide similar information based generically on the make and model of your car, but it is not specific to the vehicle's VIN. Free reports generally offer the following generic data:
- maker
- model
- manufacturer details (chassis or body type, engine size and power, mounting country)
- general summary of the information contained in the full report (if you decide to buy it)
Step 2. Find out the content of a full report
The top five sources for purchasing a VHR are CarFax, AutoCheck, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), and the National Automobile Title Information System (NMVTIS)., which has two different fonts. A full report typically has a value between $ 10 and $ 40 and includes the following information for a specific car based on its VIN:
- ownership history
- clean title, verification of ownership
- periodic mileage readings
- maintenance records
- rental or rental history
- accident repair history
- history of flood repairs
Step 3. Research the free reports from VehicleHistory.com
Until recently, vehicle history reports were only available through purchase. However, since December 2015, a source called “Vehicle History” offers a full VHR for free. This report provides the following information:
- vehicle owner registration
- vehicle information
- government records
- public records
- background history
- Historical records
- state records
Step 4. Decide if you need to buy the full report
If you want to buy a used car, it is generally worth paying for the report because of the information it provides. The value of a full VHR is typically less than $ 50, so it's a low figure compared to the price of the car itself. As Consumer Reports points out, no matter how much a mechanic claims the car is in good condition, factors such as a vehicle's accident history, flood damage, and other similar incidents can reduce its value.
The VehicleHistory.com site appears to offer a full report for free. However, it is a relatively new source and little has been written about its validity relative to other sources. Consumer Reports encourages buyers to compare reports from different sources
Method 2 of 4: Generate a Vehicle History Report for Free
Step 1. Find the vehicle identification number (VIN) of your car
You can access this information in different ways. In addition to being listed in the manual and other important documents, the VIN is printed on a sticker attached to various parts of the car. Look in the driver's side door frame, the front of the engine block, under the spare tire, and on the rear fender.
Step 2. Choose a service
There are many online services that offer a basic report. If you want to buy a VHR later, request a free report from a reputable and reliable service like AutoCheck. AutoCheck (as well as CarFax) provides information on the vehicles used by dealerships and vehicle auctions. This will allow you to evaluate the company and familiarize yourself with the site's interface before purchasing a full report.
Many dealerships advertise used cars with a link to a free CARFAX report. You can also search for used cars on the CARFAX website. Each listing features a free CARFAX VHR
Step 3. Enter the requested information to obtain the report
You'll need to enter the vehicle's VIN to get a free report, as well as the zip code, license plate number, or state where the vehicle is registered. After providing all the required data and accepting the terms and conditions, click "Submit" or "Process." The site will display the free report automatically.
A comprehensive report separates the information into the following sections: Vehicle History and Report Summary, Value Calculator, Title and Property History, and Additional Detailed History. A free report contains the components of each section, but the information will not be as detailed. Since free reports can be inaccurate, they are often more difficult to understand
Method 3 of 4: Have the Dealer Run the Vehicle History Report
Step 1. Show interest in a car
Before asking your dealer or previous car owner to pay for a VHR, show that you are a serious buyer. Focus on a single car, instead of paying attention to several. Talk to the seller about the vehicle and financing options. Take a test drive and ask a trusted mechanic to check the car.
Step 2. Ask the dealer to pay for the VHR
Dealers often subscribe to a VHR service, allowing them to inexpensively get reports for every car in their inventory. After showing interest in a car, talk to the seller to let them know that you have a few qualms. Tell him that the dealer's willingness to pay for VHR will ease your worries about a major purchase like a car.
- When talking to the seller, you can say: “I love this car, but I have some doubts. Since I had to take my old car to the mechanic all the time, I want to make sure this vehicle doesn't have a significant repair history. To make the purchase, I need a detailed history report to alleviate my concerns. Is the dealer willing to provide me with one? "
- Request the VHR when it is close to buying the car. A dealership is unlikely to provide you with a report for many vehicles.
Step 3. Evaluate the dealer's response
If the seller is willing to provide you with the VHR, thank them. If they refuse or give you an outdated report, be careful. These warning signs could indicate that the dealer is hiding something about the vehicle's history. Cancel the purchase or pay for a full report.
Method 4 of 4: Generate a Free Fraud Check
Step 1. Find the National Insurance Crimes Bureau
To avoid buying a stolen vehicle, you should always check the VIN in the National Insurance Crime Bureau database. To do this, click here.
Step 2. Enter the page to verify the VIN
Find the tab "Awareness of theft and fraud" at the top of the navigation bar. Hovering over the tab will bring up a drop-down menu. Move the cursor to the "VIN Check" tab. After clicking, the VIN verification page will open.
Step 3. Enter the required information
Write down the VIN number. Review the terms of service and enter the verification CAPTCHA code. Click "Submit." In this way, you will be able to access the theft history and other police reports related to the vehicle.
- VinCheck retains five years of a vehicle's history, preventing fraudulent vehicle transfers.
- You will be able to perform five searches with the same IP address.