There’s a lot to consider when you’re buying a used vehicle, though. If you don’t do your homework, it can be a lengthy and even a costly experience. That’s why it’s so important to get the right information on your chosen vehicle before you make any commitments. However, a single vehicle history report does not come cheap. It’s even more expensive when you need to run vin checks on multiple vehicles when you are shopping for a car.

We’ll be taking a look at ways on how to get free vehicle history reports from the AutoCheck and Carfax.

How to get Free CarFax Report?

This method is actually the only way to get free Carfax report. This method will only show you vehicle history reports that are already queried by the dealers. They may or may not have specific records for your car, but hey, it only takes 2 minutes to test things out. If you are lucky, you saved 30 dollars for a vehicle history report.

Let’s say your VIN Number is 5Y2SL63865Z481301.

All you have to do is to change this:

https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/p/Report.cfx?vin=5Y2SL63865Z481301

Free CarFax Report LINK

If you have another VIN Number like WDDUX7GBXGA252846

https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/p/Report.cfx?vin=WDDUX7GBXGA252846

Free CarFax Report LINK

How to get Free AutoCheck Report?

There was a way to get free AutoCheck here few years ago. The trick was to run this query “dealer autocheck inurl:vin” in the google search.

Unfortunately, AutoCheck has fixed the loophole long time ago. The only true way to get a free AutoCheck report is to get them from your dealer.

However, you can perform free flood check with AutoCheck here. That’s the only free report you can get from AutoCheck. It was an initiative by AutoCheck to give out free reports to prevent consumer from purchasing flooded vehicles. There is a large influx of flooded vehicles due to hurricane Harvey and Barry in the market, and many of the unscrupulous dealers are trying to flip those vehicles as fast as possible with clean titles as the flood reports may not be updated in NMTVIS database yet.

Where can I really get Free Vehicle History Report?

For basic theft check, you can always perform them at NICB. NICB will check your VIN and find out if your vehicle was reported stolen before.

Here at VIN Free Check, we’re proud to offer free VIN check to make your second-hand purchasing journey a breeze.

Our reports are created to the highest standard and offer every piece of crucial information that you’ll need for this process. Additionally, you’ll be pleased to know that our vin report service is entirely free.

VinFreeCheck reports contain:

• An accurate vehicle specification
• A salvage/junk title check
• Vehicle collision history checks
• Real time, accurate market pricing
• Up to date odometer records
• Detailed vehicle history

We’ve also got a number of great resources available on our site for your perusal.

Final thoughts

Overall, vehicle history reports are an absolute essential if you’re looking to find a great second hand vehicle. It’s great that the industry has now developed to the point where these reports are available online and with such a high level of detail. Whether you’re buying a car, a motorcycle or something else entirely, this is a piece of information that you can’t afford to miss out. If you’re about to purchase a second hand vehicle and want to make sure you’re in the best position possible, we’d recommend run your vin check online immediately.

The post 4 Legit ways to get Free Vehicle History Reports first appeared on VinFreeCheck and is written by Jason Mason

VIN Information

The process of compiling a Vehicle History Report begins with a VIN check. VIN is a standardized 17-digit code given to each vehicle in the United States since 1981. So, many companies will provide data for vehicles assembled after 1981. They dig deep into thousands of data-supply depots containing scanned vehicle records to generate Vehicle History Report.

Data from the DMV

Companies use information from title details and vehicle registration found in the public domain to compile Vehicle History Reports. People register vehicles before using them on the road. And to register them, they must provide vehicle titles and the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). All this information is found in the public domain through the DMV. So, many companies access detailed vehicle data through information this way. For instance, title data alone contains information (not limited to) about the type of vehicle, type of title and title history.

Data from the police or fire departments

VHR Companies may also get vehicle data from police and fire departments when compiling Vehicle History Reports regarding accident history. Information from these two sources is also in the public domain. So, if a vehicle had been involved in an accident, i.e., the one involving fire, a Vehicle History Report Company will get all the accident report from the police or fire department if the accident was recorded.

Data from Private Records

Another source where VHR companies get vehicle data to compile vehicle reports is through private records. In fact there are several private records out there including information from auction houses, insurance companies, rental and fleet companies. These companies provide databases with genuine and up to date vehicle data.

The post How is a Vehicle History Report Compiled? first appeared on VinFreeCheck and is written by Jason Mason

Unearth Hidden Information

It is important to get a Motorcycle History Report for any motorcycle you see online. This report contains hidden information that may not be provided by dealers or seen in pictures. Not all sellers out there know where to get genuine History Reports for their motorcycles. If your dealer is one of them, refer them to a reputable company that offers Motorcycle History Reports.

What information found in a Motorcycle History Report

Even reputable dealers may not be certain with the condition of used motorcycles they are selling. Issues such as inaccurate odometer can miss the eye of a trusted registered mechanic. Armed with a Motorcycle History Report, you will get accurate information about the motorcycle you intend to purchase including salvaged titles, number of previous owners, stolen titles, rebuilt titles, manufacturer’s specifications, recall history, registration details, odometer readings, verification of recent mileage, condition of airbag, total loss accident history, vehicle usage and any other information that is troubling you. This information may help you during the negotiation process, and you never know the dealer may lower the selling price if they realize that you know the condition of the motorcycle you want to purchase.

Bottom line

Purchasing a good motorcycle online does not come easily. You must invest your time and money trying to get all the information about a particular motorcycle. Once you select the best deal for you, get a motorcycle history report to ensure the quoted price tag coincide with the history and condition of your desired motorcycle. If the dealer had quoted a certain price and then you discover that motorcycle had been involved in an accident, you can negotiate and lower the price. Be wary of dealers who don’t disclose a genuine motorcycle history report and take a moment to get this report yourself.

The post Why Order a Motorcycle History Report? first appeared on VinFreeCheck and is written by Jason Mason

The potential of vehicle fraud is still a valid cause of concern when buying a used car. You don’t want to be caught with your figurative pants down, whether it might be due to odometer tampering or non-disclosure of specific damage to the vehicle. You can take legal action against a fraudster if need be, but wouldn’t it be better to protect yourself from the possibility of vehicle fraud?

The best thing you can do in such a worrying situation is getting a vehicle history report. You might now wonder, “Wait, what is a vehicle history report?” or, “Is it a historical document of a particular car manufacturer or the model I’m looking at?” Well, maybe not the latter, but don’t fret; this guide will tell you everything you need to know!

So What is a Vehicle History Report?

Simply put, a vehicle history report details a used car’s records, similar to how a report card tracks your progress over time. The report gives you a detailed look at a car’s history, from damage due to road accidents to salvaged titles. With the vehicle history report, you’ll be able to know everything that needs to be known about the vehicle you’re looking at. All you need is the vehicle’s 17-digit VIN or its registration card and insurance documents.

Where Can I Get a Vehicle History Report?

You can get one for free from the vehicle seller, as they may usually have subscriptions to vehicle history report providers and will happily give a copy to prospective buyers as reassurance. One red flag you should be cautious about is if the dealer doesn’t provide any or refuses to give you a copy. Similarly, they might give you a copy, but after some scrutiny, you might find they’ve only given you an outdated report.

You can even perform a VIN check using our free VIN check service. Alternatively, you can also check the National Insurance Crime Bureau or the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s databases. However, their reports don’t give a complete picture of the car’s status. Meanwhile, the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) includes a list of third-party companies which provide history reports on its website, ranging from free to $10 or more.

You could also acquire a vehicle history report from either Carfax or AutoCheck. These will cost more than a report compared to other providers, but Carfax and AutoCheck provide detailed historical reports of the car.

What’s in a Vehicle History Report?

Many essential details can be found in the vehicle history report, allowing you to choose a car that meets your requirements while avoiding the possibility of being cheated on your purchase. Some of the details you’ll find include:

• Title history: How the vehicle was used – e.g., if it was used for commercial or personal purposes; other titles may also apply, such as salvage titles or liens.
• Vehicle ownership: See all the previous owners of the vehicle, as well as the location(s) where the car was purchased.
• Accident records: Lists any records of the vehicle’s involvement in any motor accidents before it was listed for sale. Data on motor accidents involving the car may be gathered from various sources, including state DMVs, insurance companies, automobile repair shops, and law enforcement agencies. Consider having an independent mechanic conduct a thorough vehicle inspection to ensure it has no other problems.
• Flood damage: Floods can damage various internal components of a car, such as its brakes. We recommend that you avoid buying flood-damaged vehicles as various mechanical or technical issues can jeopardize your vehicle and your safety while on the road.
• Salvage history: A car with a salvage title was considered a total loss by an insurance company (due to an accident or theft). In most cases, the vehicle is later rebuilt to a working state and put up for sale. Be mindful that salvaged cars may need extensive repairs down the road and should be avoided, so you don’t spend way more money on maintaining the said vehicle.
• Odometer readings: Provides the current mileage of the car. Resellers or dealerships can tamper with odometer readings to make it seem like it hasn’t been driven so often, a move considered a felony in the United States.
• “Lemon law” label: Most states institute a lemon law protecting people from buying a faulty car. While it isn’t illegal to sell lemon status cars, their lemon status must be disclosed to all potential buyers.
• Manufacturer recalls: Some cars may be recalled by the manufacturer due to faulty factory components. If an open recall request still exists in the report, you may want to look elsewhere for a car.
• Maintenance history: How often the car has had to go for maintenance. This enables you to plan ahead for the occasional oil change or tune-up, ensuring the vehicle continues to run smoothly.Liens: A lien gives a creditor authority to repossess a vehicle if the lender defaults on the loan. If a car still has a lien attached to it, it’s best to look elsewhere, as there is the possibility that the offer is a scam.

What’s Not in a Vehicle History Report?

While most vehicle history reports will provide the latest information on a particular vehicle, they might not tell you everything. For instance, there may have been other events after you received the vehicle history report; the car might’ve been in another accident, for example, and underwent significant repairs before the dealer acquired the car. If an event was reported, it might still take a long while before the report is updated with this information. Vehicle history report providers do their very best to keep the information constantly updated, but even they can miss some things from time to time.

Is It That Important?

If you want to make an intelligent decision before buying a used vehicle, you’ll want to get a vehicle history report. Of course, a report alone isn’t sufficient to give you a complete picture of the vehicle’s actual state. Be sure to have a professional vehicle inspection done for the car you’re considering, and if it seems alright, take it out for a spin and see how it handles. You can also negotiate a better deal with your information; not all negative information should be a deal-breaker.

The post What is a Vehicle History Report? first appeared on VinFreeCheck and is written by Jason Mason

Title History

Title History contains information such as Salvage Title or Rebuilt Title. Salvage title means the car was damaged due to an accident and because the cost of its repair was more than the initial price tag, the insurer sold the car to the Salvage dealers who then repaired it and decided to resell it. But they will only sell it under a Salvage title to show that the car had been salvaged. If the vehicle had some minor damage, the buyer may repair it and sell it under a Rebuilt title. When a Vehicle History Report show either of these titles, you should avoid buying that car.

Odometer Evaluation

Odometer Evaluation is another information you get in a Vehicle History Report. In most cases, the seller must fill an Odometer Statement before surrendering the car to the new owner. If the car has exchanged hands in more than two persons, the odometer reading provided by the dealer may not be from the previous user but other users. If the other owners had stayed with that car for several months, the Odometer reading reported could be higher than what is indicated in the dealer’s book. Check the last reported mileage of the vehicle you intend to purchase and subtract it from the current mileage in the VHR. To get a rough idea of miles per year, divide the value by the number of year since the last reporting. You will actually know how many times the vehicle has been repaired or what needs to replaced.

Vehicle Events

A good company must also provide Vehicle Events in their Vehicle History Reports. Car owner history is also listed here. If the car was previously owned by a taxi company, police department, state or a leasing company; a VHR will report the same. Always try to avoid cars that are previously owned by the state or meant for commercial use. Regardless of the type or condition of the car, always get it inspected by a trusted registered mechanic before purchase.

Bottom line

You don’t have any other choice than reading a Vehicle History Report. In fact a VHR is more important than any Buyback Guarantee offer. If you hate going into detail you can stop in the first page but important information is found towards the end. Even a vehicle with bad VHR may be worth its price tag if you investigate the root point of the problems.

The post Understanding a Vehicle History Report first appeared on VinFreeCheck and is written by Jason Mason

What do title brands tell us?

Title brands tell a person whether a used vehicle has been subject to certain types of damage, like whether it was totaled, flooded, was a prior police car or taxi, or was once a lemon. It tells you whether a certain vehicle can provide you safety while you are on the road. It also helps you in making a decision whether to buy, or assess the vehicle according to the damage it took and whether you will pay a certain purchase price.

Examples of title brands

• Damaged.
• Dismantled.
• Gray market.
• Junk.
• Lemon law buyback.
• Prior police car.
• Prior taxi.
• Rebuilt.
• Reconditioned.
• Remanufactured.
• Replica.
• Revived junk.
• Revived salvage.
• Salvage.
• Scrap vehicle.
• Totaled.
• Warranty returned.
• Water damage.

These title brands are commonly used by most states. Most of them are self-explanatory. Title brands tell you a car’s history, whether it was damaged or was once used as a taxi. These title brands should be considered as a red flag. For example, a prior taxi title brand would mean that the car was heavily used and would most likely have a high mileage. Having a high mileage would mean a large amount of time on the road and being statistically wise, it tells you that it may have been more exposed to accidents and damage. So, if a car is branded as a “prior taxi,” is an old model and has a low mileage, then you should raise your eyebrows and be suspicious. The car’s odometer might have been rolled back to give it a lower mileage in order to command a higher price. Gray market vehicles are vehicles that were not manufactured in the United States and are most likely not built according to U.S. standards with regard to safety requirements. Vehicles like these may need to be modified to comply with U.S. standards. The vehicle must be approved by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Federal Department of Transportation (DOT) before it can be registered. A “reconditioned” brand title is actually a vehicle that has been considered as “salvaged.” A possible scenario is that a car was totaled and was considered by an insurance company as a “scrap,” which means they have no intention of rebuilding it. The insurance company pays the insured owner and the latter decides to rebuild the car anyway. Title brands however are not enough to know a vehicle’s past. A VIN (vehicle identification number) check or VHR (vehicle history report) will be more descriptive of a car’s condition.

The post What are Title Brands? first appeared on VinFreeCheck and is written by Jason Mason

Title History

A Vehicle History Report (VHR) or otherwise known as a VIN check contains a car’s vital statistics. Most vehicle history reports prioritize title information. The latter shows if the car’s title has a bad reputation, meaning, it has previously been reported to have been issued a negative title like salvage or junk which means that the car was previously totaled. It also tells you its ownership history as well as which states it has been registered in. It can also indicate whether the car was previously reported stolen or was the part of a fleet, or was a taxi, which means the car may have been overworked in the past.

Odometer History

The second most important consideration is the odometer reading. The higher, the cheaper the car gets. The vehicle history report can show you if the odometer has been rolled back to show a lower mileage and a better price for the car. A rolled back odometer smells fishy and fraudulent.

Lemon Check

A vehicle history report can also show if the car has been reported as a lemon. When it comes to insurance, a VHR can show whether insurance was claimed for an accident or if the vehicle has been reported as a total loss by an insurance company. You don’t want a car reported as a total loss. Of course a vehicle history report can also tell you the car’s accident history, whether it has been involved in a major accident. However, when the car is not covered by insurance, there is a slim chance that the incident may not have been recorded.

Maintenance History

Meticulous vehicle history report providers even have a maintenance history of cars which is a good place to start thinking about when to have the car serviced if you decide to buy it. Emission tests can also be found as reported by the state. It can also show you if the car is still covered by a warranty. Perhaps one of the most important items in a VHR is the airbag deployment. You might be buying a car which claims to have an airbag but has been previously deployed. It will not be safe to drive it on the road. Airbags have to be checked every few years, just so to know if the mechanism will still work when the need arises. This is particularly important when it comes to old cars. For convenience, a VHR may contain an auction history. It can also indicate if it was posted in salvage auction websites.

The post What Does VFC FREE Vehicle History Report Contains? first appeared on VinFreeCheck and is written by Jason Mason

Types of liens

There is such a thing as a mechanic’s lien. It is the lien of the mechanic over the car which was repaired and his services have not been paid yet. It gives the mechanic the right to retain the car against the owner until payment of the services rendered. Another is the chattel mortgage that is executed by the owner of the car. If the owner buys the car in installments and is not able to pay the subsequent installments, the dealer from where the owner acquired the car can sell the car in a public auction so that he can be compensated from the loss he sustained due to non-payment of the buyer. A judgment lien is a lien imposed on a judgment debtor’s property. This means that after a court’s judgment or order, the car will have to be given to the person to whom the court’s judgment has awarded the car.

How will it affect me?

A title lien will affect a car buyer negatively. It all boils down to one point: you can be deprived of the possession of the car. In the few types of liens mentioned above, it is obvious that you will not be able to enjoy full possession of the car. If a mechanic is holding the car due to unpaid services, you cannot get a hold of the car despite of paying it in full to the previous owner. If the previous owner was not able to pay the installment and he suddenly sells it to you, you may have to continue the installments if the dealer or seller does not foreclose the chattel mortgage executed upon the car. If there is a judgment lien and a judgment is promulgated, you might be totally deprived of your car. A title lien can also affect the price of the premium you have to pay when you procure an insurance policy over the car. A lien holder might require full coverage to protect his interest in the car in case of an accident. While a lien holder does not determine the rates of premium, he will most likely require you to procure full coverage. The only way to release this burden upon yourself is to fully pay the price of the car, then you have the choice of buying an insurance policy at a lower rate with a lower coverage. It will also be hard to sell the car if you are in the buying and selling business and there is a title lien upon the vehicle. As much as possible, every buyer wants a car with no problems. A title lien on the car will make a buyer have second thoughts about buying the car.

The post What is a Title Lien? first appeared on VinFreeCheck and is written by Jason Mason

Why do people rollback odometers?

Rolling back odometers is an ingenious idea of unscrupulous sellers in an attempt to raise a car’s market value. A lower mileage will raise the value of a car, falsely passing it off as slightly used which may make a potential buyer think that he is getting his money’s worth. So, he ends up paying more for a vehicle that has a lesser value.

Why are odometer readings important?

Odometer readings are important because they tells you a couple of things about the car’s maintenance. The most common use of odometer readings is oil change. Car owners usually change oil every six months, or every five thousand to ten thousand miles depending on the car use. Another important use of an odometer reading is to know the appraisal value of the car. Car appraisers heavily rely on odometer readings to determine the value of the car. The lower the reading, the better. An old car can be worth a lot more despite its age if the odometer reading is quite low. This usually happens when a person owns two or more cars, which will explain the low odometer reading.

Are there odometer laws?

Yes, there definitely are. There are federal and state odometer laws. Violation of these laws is considered unlawful. Some violations are:

• Making false odometer disclosure statement.
• In acquiring vehicle for resale, failure to obtain complete odometer disclosure statement from seller.
• Conspiring to violate any of the Federal odometer statutes.
• Resetting or altering odometer with the intent to change mileage.
• Failure to provide complete odometer disclosure statement to the buyer.

Odometer laws may vary from state to state. Victims may sue for civil recovery, triple damages and attorney’s fees. Protect yourself; Vehicle history reports (VHR) or VIN (vehicle identification number) checks usually provide odometer readings. It is better to get a VIN check before buying a car. VIN checks may also contain whether an odometer has been tampered with. This happens when the odometer fails to read correctly, which requires to have it replaced. When a shop replaces a digital odometer, the replacement will read zero. It has to be sent out to a professional speedometer facility to have the mileage from the old odometer transferred to the new odometer. A VIN check can help you know if this was done and can help you find out if there is any discrepancy.

The post What is an Odometer Rollback? first appeared on VinFreeCheck and is written by Jason Mason