How to Check on a VIN Number for Free

Checking a VIN (vehicle identification number) will give you a lot of good information on the used car you plan to buy. This is a free service that is given to all used car buyers to help protect the industry and prevent people from selling lemons or cars that have a history of damage. You can check a VIN through the DMV or through a company that collects and distributes this information, such as CarFax, Vehix or AutoCheck. The process is simple and could save you thousands in unforeseen repair costs.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Obtain the VIN of the used car you are thinking about purchasing. The car dealer or private seller should provide this to you without a hassle. The VIN is usually located on the dash near the windshield or inside the door frame.

2. Call the DMV and ask them to perform a VIN check on the vehicle. Tell them you are interested in buying the car and want to know if any accidents, major damage or title applications have been filed with their office.

3. Ask the DMV to send you a report or ask when you can pick it up in person.

4. Log on to a free VIN check website like AutoCheck or CarFax. If you log on to CarFax.com, be sure and select the free VIN or accident history report. There are two reports featured on their site--one is paid, one is free.

5. Enter the VIN and review the report. It will list any instances that have been reported to the DMV, as well as other information that may be relevant.

Tips & Warnings

• A free VIN check will tell you how many instances have been reported to the DMV. This information will allow you to decide whether you need to order the full report. A free VIN check is just so you will know that there is information you need to see.
• A full car report is the best way to tell if the used car has been in accidents or has salvage titles. A free VIN check won't tell you whether the car has been in a flood, or even if a salvage title has been issued. A free VIN check just tells you that the facts are there. Be sure to follow up and get a full vehicle history report.

Resources

• Get more info and a free VIN check
• Free VIN checks

[larrymitchell]

on 6/2/2009 This page contains many inaccuracies and needs to be fact checked quite a bit. No DMV that I know of will provide you with a report, and certainly not for free. Carfax does not offer a free report, but simply a 'check' of whether the car is in their database; the report is then available for purchase at $30 regardless of how much information it contains.You can get similar information at VIN Detective (www.vindetective.com) though they also charge $15 for the full report.