How to Look Up Vehicle Identification

You can look up a vehicles VIN through online databases.

Before purchasing a vehicle, it would benefit you to know its history. This information can be referenced using the vehicle identification number, or VIN. This number is a uniquely identifiable number, specific for your vehicle, and can provide a wealth of information pertaining to the history of your car. This information in inputted into a database during significant events, such as accidents, retitling and types of titles issued. Combined with mileage recorded during such events, VIN lookups potentially offer insight into inaccurate odometers, accidents, salvage titles, commercial use and number of owners. To lookup the data, you can use one of several online resources.

Instructions

1. Go to Carfax, enter your VIN number and press "Get the CARFAX!" Carfax is the best known vehicle look-up resource, although it is not free. The amount of information you can potentially retrieve for your vehicle is mind-boggling, and that information could prove very valuable before purchasing any vehicle.

2. Check out DecodeThis. Although the full report is not free, they offer a basic search without cost. This might produce some information pertaining to your car and give you insight as to further information you might retrieve for a price. Just enter your VIN number and press "Decode."

3. Try AutoCheck, which also offers a free basic search. The full search is rather pricey, but it can save you money in the long run by alerting you to potential problems before committing to buy a questionable vehicle. Just enter the VIN and press "Enter."

References

• Carfax: Start Your Search
• Decode This: Decode This!
• AutoCheck: Get a Free VIN Check Now!