Take a moment to imagine this: After saving up for months to buy that new or foreign used car, just barely one week after you rejoiced with your friends and family over that car, you got a call that the car is a stolen vehicle. Now your joy has turned to sorrow because you are now involved in a police investigation.
Ouch!
The scenario described above is one of a number of cases that happens when you buy a car- whether new or used without running a vehicle history check on that car. A vehicle history report is just as important as finally making the decision on which car you want to buy. A vehicle history report (VHR) is a statement that will let you know information about the ownership, repair history, theft or accident records, and other vital information about a specific vehicle. Ideally, if you are purchasing your vehicle from a reputable dealership, you should be given a vehicle history on that car for free. But if otherwise, it’s in your best interest to take up the responsibility to get a VHR.
Various online sources offer a free Vehicle History Report, while others are paid. It’s important to bear in mind that the details you get on a free report won’t be as detailed as what you would get if you paid for a report tailored to your car. Notwithstanding, a free Vehicle History Report offers you essential details as well.
Why Do You Need To Check Your Vehicle History?
Checking a vehicle history is more important especially if you are buying a used car. This will help to protect you from any challenges associated with the car. Below are the benefits you will get when you run a vehicle history check:
- You get to know the history of the automobile i.e year, make, model, manufacturers etc.
- You find Failure records associated with the car.
- You verify the Gas/petrol mileage Rollback
- You discover mishaps in the background like if there are any faults inherent with the car.
- You get to know if there is hail, fire, or flood damage associated with the car.
- Since the car is a used car, it must have gone from owner to owner. A VHR will identify if the vehicle was used for Personal or commercial purposes.
- You also get details on Evaluation, registration, and service background. This makes you know if the car has been properly maintained.
- Other essential auto specs are made known to you.
- You identify any theft or stolen record on the car.
- Learning about recalls and warranty information can save you money on repairs and routine service in the long run.
- Knowledge of a vehicle’s history lets you know if you’re paying a fair price for the car.
Generating Your Vehicle History Report
The first thing you need when checking for a vehicle history report is your Vehicle Identification Number i.e VIN. Vehicle Identification Number refers to a unique code including figures and alphabet that are used to identify a motor vehicle. The VIN of a car is like its fingerprints as no two cars have the same VIN.
THE VIN of a car can usually be found on the door latch on the driver’s side, the front of the engine block, underneath the spare tyre, the rear wheel well or on the dashboard towards the driver’s side of the car. You can also find a VIN number on a vehicle’s insurance card, title, and registration. A vehicle Identification Number is usually 17 characters long. Here is an example of a VIN number:
4Y1SL65848Z411439
Once, you have identified your car’s VIN, then you can run a vehicle history check.
Also Read:
- Why It Is Important To Check A Used Car’s Verification Identification Number (VIN) Before Purchase
- List Of Driving Schools In Lagos And Prices
- How Do I Check A VIN Number For Free?
- How Long Should You Warm Up Your Car Before Driving?
Where To Run A Vehicle History Check For Free
1. National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB)
The NICB is your best bet to get an update if the car you are about to purchase is a stolen car or a salvaged car for free. Follow these steps to do a free check:
- Step 1: Using your browser, go to the NICB VIN check page.
- Step 2: Input your vehicle’s VIN in the slot provided.
- Step 3: Confirm you are not a robot and agree to their terms and conditions.
- Step 4: Click on the search
NB: On the NICB website, searches are limited to 5 per day from the same IP address.
2. Detailed Vehicle History (DVH)
Detailed Vehicle History (DVH), a company renowned for its exceptional vehicle history reports that have earned an impressive rating of 4.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot. Detailed Vehicle History delivers excellent vehicle history reports with detailed historical records.
Detailed Vehicle History (DVH) offers a unique opportunity to decode VINs for regular and classic vehicles for free with the free “VIN decoder and Vehicle History” app, which is available for Android and IOS users.
- Step 1: Using your browser, go to the detailedvehiclehistory.com.
- Step 2: From the homepage, Enter your email address, Phone number and VIN Number in the space provided; under ‘check VIN’.
- Step 3: Click on Check VIN.
3. VINCheckInfo
VinCheckInfo provides more comprehensive details on a VIN check-up. You get record details on fuel economy, selling price history of the car, manufacturer’s recalls and warranties, the best time to buy a new model, title records, theft records, accident records, and vehicle specifications such as year, model, colour, etc.
- Step 1: Using your browser, go to the VinCheckInfo page.
- Step 2: From the homepage, Enter your car’s VIN in the space provided; under ‘Run a Free Vehicle Report’.
- Step 3: Click on Check VIN.
4. Autozone
For more than 43 years, AutoZone has been committed to providing the best parts, prices and customer service in the automotive aftermarket industry. We have a rich culture and history of Going the Extra Mile for our customers and our community.
Use the links below to find out how we began, where we’re headed and how you can play a role.
- Step 1: Using your browser, go to the Autozone page.
- Step 2: From the homepage, Enter your car’s VIN in the space provided;
- Step 3: Click on Search
5. AutoCheck
AutoCheck also provides paid vehicle history checks as well as free. A free check gives you details such as the vehicle’s make, model, and country where it was built. Paid reports include details about flood, theft, and/or incident damage, and assign a numerical score for that specific vehicle so you can compare it to others from that same model year. Follow these steps to get a free Vehicle History Report:
- Step 1: Using your browser, go to the AutoCheck page.
- Step 2: From the homepage, Enter your car’s VIN in the space provided; under ‘check VIN’.
- Step 3: Click on Check VIN.
6. ClearVIN
ClearVin specializes in providing vehicle history information collected from the most reputable and trusted vehicle data sources and experts in the automotive industry: National Motor Vehicle Titling Information System (NMVTIS), National Vehicle Service (NVS), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), J.D. Power., Black Book and others.
Step 1: Using your browser, go to the ClearVIN page.
Step 2: From the homepage, Enter your car’s VIN in the space provided; under ‘check VIN’.
Step 3: Click on Check VIN.
Frequently Asked Questions About VIN
What is a vehicle identification number (VIN)?
The VIN is the car’s fingerprint, a unique vehicle identifier composed of 17 characters (digits and capital letters). Each section of the VIN stands for the car’s unique features, specifications and make and model, and other information.
Where can I find my VIN number?
You can find the VIN outside the vehicle by looking at the dashboard on the driver’s side or on a sticker on the door jamb of the driver’s door. The VIN is also written on the title, vehicle registration, and insurance documents.
What if my VIN doesn’t decode?
Any vehicle history report is basically for buyers as well as sellers of used cars. As a car owner, you may want to have a vehicle history report you can present to a buyer if you want to sell your car. If you want to buy a used car, you’d want to run a VIN check to make sure it did not have any major issues in the past.
What is included in most free vehicle history reports?
Any free vehicle history report is a comprehensive 10-page report that offers critical details on a used car collated from industry and government sources. Basically, it presents a used car’s past and current condition: vehicle specifications, equipment details, and the NMVTIS Report. It also includes value-added features such as market value, fuel efficiency, safety rating, inspection checklist, recalls and defects, and auto insurance information.
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