Buying a used car can create a significant amount of stress and anxiety. Handing over your hard-earned money for any automobile is difficult, especially when the car’s past is unknown.
The exterior and interior condition hints at how much care the previous owner provided. Still, looking at visible areas of a vehicle won’t tell you about repairs and routine maintenance or whether it was in an accident.
Used car buyers should review a vehicle history report to discover any hidden issues the car experienced during its time on the road. Continue reading to learn what information is in a vehicle history report and how it can help you make an informed decision about buying a used automobile.
A vehicle history report is a collection of records that provide information about a used car that may affect your decision to buy or how much to pay for it. Records or events in the vehicle’s life get collected from thousands of sources. They may help you answer these crucial questions:
The information on a vehicle history report will help you better understand the used car you’re interested in buying. It will give details into significant events that potential owners should consider, such as:
Companies that provide vehicle history reports like AutoCheck and Carfax make efforts to keep their information current. However, reports will only show the latest event submitted to the reporting companies. It’s possible that a vehicle could be in a crash, be repaired, and be sold before a record of the accident shows up in the databases companies use to compile information.
A report won’t tell you the overall condition of the automobile or its level of wear and tear. The history outline will not indicate that a car’s tires are worn or that the rotors should be replaced.
Vehicle history reports might indicate a vehicle has had only one owner, but it will not name the individual. The information will not provide any insight regarding the driving habits of previous owners.
It pays to be prepared when you’re buying a used vehicle and also when you’re selling one. A vehicle history report can help both used car buyers and sellers.
Vehicle history reports give details about a car’s ownership, title status, accident history, and more. To get a report on a car you want to buy, you’ll typically need to have its 17-digit vehicle identification number, or VIN. The VIN can be found on the driver’s side dashboard near the windshield.
With that number, there are several websites you can visit and check on the vehicle you’re interested in.
Carfax and AutoCheck are leaders in the vehicle history reporting industry. Access AutoCheck’s service through our site for easy assistance.
Use the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s free VINCheck database to see if a car has been reported stolen or if it’s a salvage vehicle. Most consumers should avoid purchasing an automobile that has ever been stolen or has a salvage record. You’ll want to steer clear of any vehicles with a flood history.
Vehicle history reports usually cost between $25 and $100, depending on the service you use and the number of reports or plan you request within a specified period.
Some dealerships and online auto marketplaces (like our sister site Autotrader) provide free history reports for used vehicles for sale.
Take another test drive to get a feel for things. For example, you might detect an issue that happens only when the car gets driven on the highway. Also, remember to listen to your gut. If something doesn’t seem right, step away from the deal.
Use information from the history report as leverage when you patiently negotiate a fair price.
AutoCheck and Carfax reports have good information to help you during your car-buying process. If the vehicle history report doesn’t show any glaring red flags, you need an independent mechanic to perform an inspection.
A vehicle history report does not substitute for a mechanic’s inspection. Before you buy a vehicle, it’s a good idea to get an independent inspection to ensure it does not exhibit any hidden damage.
Find a certified mechanic and give the person a copy of the vehicle’s history report. Qualified technicians will be familiar with the systems that have a tendency for problems. An experienced mechanic’s assessment might cost a hundred dollars or more. The fee will be worth it because their evaluation might discover mechanical issues that keep you from purchasing a car that would cost you much more down the road.
Services such as Alliance Inspection Management’s AiM Certify, owned by Kelley Blue Book parent Cox Automotive, will come to your location and inspect a vehicle. Costs range from $129 to $349, depending on the service inspection you choose.
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