Buying a used car always involves some risk, but there are a few simple steps you can take to help you be sure the car you are purchasing is as advertised. Running vehicle history reports can help you find details about the car’s history, such as accidents, maintenance, ownership, and verified mileage. To help you avoid any potential scams, we have compiled a list of free, trustworthy sources for finding vehicle history information. 

For those selling a car, a VIN search may also help you properly price the car, and be prepared for questions a potential buyer could have about the vehicle’s history. Most buyers will run a VIN check and if there are inaccuracies or unknown issues on the report, your vehicle may be worth significantly less than you think. 

It is important to note that these free services generally have very limited information and it may be best to use them as a supplement to other information sources like paid vehicle history reports, a comprehensive test drive, and a pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic. Without the security blanket of a new car warranty, doing your due diligence can go a long way toward making sure your used car purchase does not become a money pit. 

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### Where to Get a Free VIN Check:

The __[The National Insurance Crime Bureau](https://www.nicb.org/vincheck)__ offers free VIN checks. This VIN lookup includes information about the car’s history like whether the vehicle was ever reported stolen, if it has been declared a total loss, received a salvage title, or received a rebuilt title due to prior damage. Though this is very limited information it does cover the most basic and necessary history you need to know before making an automotive purchase. Since NICB information is based upon insurance claims, any vehicle repaired without being reported to the insurance provider might slip through the cracks. This free VIN search is a good first step when looking into a used car purchase, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau allows you to check up to five cars’ VIN numbers per day for free. 

__[VehicleHistory.com](https://www.vehiclehistory.com/)__ also provides a free VIN report. This option goes a little further and includes a VIN decoder which breaks down many of the significant vehicle specifications of the car. This includes important information like the type of fuel the vehicle requires, the country of origin, the production year, and specifics about the drivetrain, like if the vehicle is equipped with four-wheel drive. Comparing this information to the advertised specs of the vehicle can help make sure the vehicle has the equipment it is claimed to have. Any discrepancies between the advertised information and a VIN decoder should be investigated further. These details are in addition to information about incidents or auction sales pertaining to the vehicle. 

__[VINCheckPro](https://www.vincheckpro.com/)__ is another option for free VIN lookup to get  vehicle information about your potential purchase. This report lists out whether records were found pertaining to the vehicle’s theft history, accident records, salvage auction records, sales records, flood damage records, and recall information. The report also includes estimated market value, fuel economy information, and safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). VINcheck Pro also lets you run the report by entering the license plate number of the vehicle. The success of the license plate report may vary depending on the issuing state. 

__[VinCheck.info](https://vincheck.info/)__ offers free vehicle history reports that include similar information to VinCheckPro. This means you get a check of theft records, accident records, salvage auction records, sales records, National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) records, flood check records, and recall records. VinCheck.info also includes market value information and, for certain vehicles, estimated ownership costs. VinCheck.info allows you to obtain 10 reports for free but requires payment after the allotment of free reports have been used. 

### How to Find Your VIN

The only thing you will need to run a vehicle history report is the vehicle identification number or VIN. The vehicle’s VIN can be found on the driver’s side of the dashboard near the base of the windshield and on the inside of the driver’s side doorjamb. 

For cars made in 1981 or newer, the VIN number is a 17-character identifier specific to each vehicle. For cars older than the 1981 model year, the length of the VIN number varies and a VIN check may be difficult to obtain or have very limited information.

### Be Careful When Using the Free Sites

All of these sites contain ads, many of which may look like they are part of the report, or appear to link to a PDF of the report or a print button, but which navigate away from the free service. Some of the ads lead to paid VIN check services, which may ask for payment or other information. Do not provide payment or other personal information to these sites, unless you have navigated there intentionally. All you should need to run the report at any of these sites is the VIN. If you plan to use a paid service, we recommend you navigate to their site directly or through a trusted search engine rather than relying on ads or links found on the sites for the free VIN check services. 

### Get Paid Reports for Free From the Dealership or Online Listing

A final option pertains to vehicles for sale at dealerships. Simply ask the dealer for a vehicle history report. Most reputable dealers have memberships to one of the paid report providers and can give you a CarFax report, Autocheck, or other comprehensive report for free. If the dealer will not provide the report or asks you to pay a fee, it may be a sign to walk away from the sale and buy a car elsewhere. 

Many online automotive listings also include more comprehensive reports for free. So you may be able to get a CarFax, AutoCheck, or another premium paid report from sites used to advertise vehicles for sale. This varies from site to site and based on the type of listing the seller has paid to advertise the vehicle, but it may be another option to help you through the car-buying process. 

These paid VIN check services generally have access to significantly more information than the free VIN checks and issue more comprehensive reports. This information varies from service to service but generally includes certain maintenance records, odometer readings, accident history, previous owners or registration, and more. All paid services are not created equally so a little research can help you find out which report provider is right for you. 

### Limitations of Vehicle History Reports

It is important to note that all of these free services lack access to certain information like maintenance and service history. Because the information relied upon requires some form of reporting, there may be incomplete or inaccurate information included in the report, whether it is a free vehicle history report or one from a paid service. 

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### Other To-Do’s When Used Car Shopping

Though more people are shifting to buying cars online, a comprehensive test drive and in-person viewing of any potential car purchase is recommended if possible. During this test drive, use as many functions of the vehicle as you can and trust your senses. Note misaligned or miscolored body panels, odd noises from the engine, transmission, or suspension, and even strange smells inside the vehicle. Any of these can be signs of potentially costly issues. If something seems odd, get more information, or move on to another vehicle. 

It is always best to get a comprehensive pre-purchase inspection from a qualified mechanic in addition to a VIN check report before purchasing a vehicle. This professional service should be one of the last steps once you have chosen the car you would like to buy. Because it costs around $200 you won’t want to have inspections performed on several cars. 

In order to make the most informed decision about your potential purchase, gather as much reliable information as you can.  When making a large purchase, like a used vehicle, spending a little money on the peace of mind that comes with a vehicle history report and pre-purchase inspection may be well worth it in the long run.

### Final Thoughts

Free vehicle history reports are a great tool and should probably be among the first steps you take to investigate a car you are interested in purchasing. These reports only contain limited information and may have incomplete or inaccurate data, so they should not be the only information you rely upon. All that should be required to run the report, do not provide personal or payment information to any of these free sites.

A paid service has more data and may be worthwhile as you get nearer to buying a used vehicle. If buying from a dealership, the salesperson may be able to provide one of these more detailed reports at no charge. Many online car listing sites partner with services like CarFax or AutoCheck and may also provide them to potential buyers for free as part of the vehicle listing.

When possible an in-person viewing and test drive should supplement a free or paid vehicle history report. The seller should allow you to drive the vehicle and use any of its features without unreasonable limitations. A pushy seller or secretive seller is a sign to walk away. 

Finally, provided you can afford it, a pre-purchase inspection by a professional mechanic can help you make sure there are no obvious mechanical issues that will cost you down the road. If a private seller or dealership will not allow you to have a mechanic look over the vehicle, be prepared to walk away from the sale. 

Checking a VIN (vehicle identification number) is a top tip when buying a used car to make sure you avoid scammers and learn the full history of the car you're interested in. This guide walks you through the best sites to use to check a car's VIN. 

These Are the Best Sites for a Free Vin Check

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