How to check a car by VIN before you buy it
Why the VIN is the first thing to check
The VIN is a 17-character code that is unique to one vehicle. Every accident, title change, auction sale and odometer reading is recorded against it, so it is the most reliable way to see what really happened to a car — better than the seller’s words or the photos in the listing.
Step 1: find the VIN on the car and in the documents
Look at the base of the windshield on the driver’s side, the sticker on the driver’s door frame, and the registration papers. Check that the VIN on the car, in the documents and in the advert are identical. If they differ, stop — that is already a serious warning sign.
Step 2: run the free check
Enter the VIN into a free decoder first. It shows the exact make, model, year, engine and factory of the car, official recalls and crash-test ratings. If the decoded model or engine does not match the advert, the car is not what the seller says it is.
Step 3: get the full history report
A full report lists reported accidents, title brands such as salvage or flood, odometer readings over time, number of owners and service records. For cars from the USA or Canada, also look for auction history: photos and the sale price show the damage the car had when it was sold.
Step 4: compare the report with the seller’s story
Check that the mileage in the report is lower than or equal to the odometer, that the number of owners matches, and that any accident the report shows was mentioned by the seller. Honest sellers rarely mind the question. If the answers change, walk away.
Step 5: still inspect the car
A history report shows what was recorded, not everything that happened. Unreported repairs exist. Use the report to decide whether the car is worth a physical inspection by a mechanic, and use the inspection to confirm the details.