How to Check a Used Car's History for Free

Used Car History

When buying a used car its important to obtain a free history report on the car. Be smart and check out the salesperson's claim that a little old lady going to and from church only drove the used car once a week on Sundays. Before you purchase the car, get basic information on the car's history for free.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Get the used car's VIN number. The VIN number is also known as the vehicle identification number. Each car has a unique series of numbers that is used to identify the vehicle and you must have this information in order to find out about the car's history.

2. Department of Motor Vehicles

   Visit your local Department of Motor Vehicles website. Most DMV sites allow you to find out about current liens online for free. All you need to do is enter the VIN, year and make and the DMV will provide you with information such as when the title was issued and number of liens on the car.

3. Free Car History Report

   Visit the website Is-it-a-lemon.com and click on the "Free VIN Check" link.

4. Insert the used car's vehicle identification number in the box labeled "Get a FREE VIN Check Now!" and click Go. Double check your VIN before you click "Go." Since the vehicle identification numbers contain many letters and numbers, it's easy to make a mistake when entering the information.

5. View the Vehicle Record Summary to ensure the summary displays information for the correct vehicle. The summary displays the VIN, year, make and model number for the used car along with other information. Make sure the vehicle information matches the used car you're about to purchase. After confirming the information is correct, view the number of records found the vehicle.

6. Carfax Car History Report

   Get a second opinion by visiting Carfax.com. Insert the same information as you did when you visited Is-it-a-lemon.com. Insert your VIN number and click "Search."

7. Compare the number of records count. You may find a discrepancy in the number of records found. One site may list more records than another. The number differential may be as a result of the timing for the last record entry. One site may update its records quicker than the other.

Tips & Warnings

• Although many websites advertise free vehicle reports for used cars, the most they will provide is the number of records found for each vehicle. If you want details of each record, you will have to pay a fee.

Resources

• Auto Lemon - Free VIN Check
• CarFax used car VIN report
• About Auto Lemon Laws