How to Get Free Information on a Vehicle's History
If you have a used car or are thinking about buying a used car, you may want to find information about that car's history. You can get some information for free from websites or at your local Department of Motor Vehicles if you know the car's vehicle identification number, or VIN. Free auto history checks will provide you with basic information about the car; for a more detailed record, you will have to pay a small fee.
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Instructions
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Write down your car's VIN; it is located on the dash, but it is difficult to see when you are inside the car. Look down at your dash through your windshield in order to see the VIN better.
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Go to the website VIN Central; this site will allow you to input your vehicle's VIN and get some basic information about its history, such as issues and complaints filed against the vehicle. If you want to find out more details about the history, you will have to pay a fee.
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Visit CarFax.com to receive a basic auto history report; type in the vehicle's VIN and you will be able to see a few details about the car's history, such as how many records exist on the particular car's VIN. For a full, in-depth report, you will have to pay for the service.
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Go to your local Department of Motor Vehicles to find out more about the car's history. Have the VIN with you to provide to your customer service agent. You will have to pay for a full history report, but providing the VIN can give you some basic information about the car's history.
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Tips & Warnings
It may be prudent in some situations, like when purchasing a used car, to purchase a full auto history report.
