The Vehicle's Identification Number (VIN) is a unique serial number that not only helps to identify the type and specifications of the vehicle, but also helps authorities and organizations to track the vehicle's past records. By checking the free VIN below, you can get information on vehicle specifications, make and model, recalls, and even whether the vehicle has ever been reported stolen. Usually the information you can get for free is limited, and more complete information is always paid. However, the following free VIN check will help you get more information before buying a vehicle.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Checking Vehicle Specifications, Fuel Consumption and Price Details
Step 1. Write down the VIN
Write down the VIN you want to check using pen and paper. You can also use your camera or smartphone to snap the VIN.
Step 2. Open a web browser and then visit the VIN Checker site
Enter the VIN number and press the button Check Your VIN.
Step 3. View Vehicle Specifications
Get vehicle information such as options, fuel efficiency, NHTSA and IIHS crash test ratings, and other specifications.
To note that this "is not a free vehicle history report". The company provides vehicle history reports needed with a fee for each Vehicle Anti-Theft Act.
Method 2 of 5: Checking VIN for Theft and Fraud Records
Step 1. With your existing VIN, visit the NICB website
This is a "free VIN check service" provided by the National Insurance Crime Bureau issuing free reports for vehicles that "have a theft record" or "have outstanding trademarks".
- If you're looking for a mechanic's history report or finding out how many owners a used vehicle has owned, this free service won't give you that information. You have to pay for it.
- The NICB no longer reports if the vehicle has a credit guarantee as before, so make sure you verify at the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) that the vehicle belongs to the person selling the vehicle.
Step 2. Type the 17 digit VIN under the Step 1 box
If the vehicle was made after 1981 but has fewer or more than 17 numbers and letters in its VIN, it is likely that the VIN has been forged. Avoid buying this vehicle if possible.
Step 3. Agree to the terms and conditions, then enter the verification code
Verification code is a human detection service. Once you have entered the verification code correctly, press "Search".
Verification codes are case sensitive, so make sure you type the code carefully
Step 4. Wait while NICB checks the VIN in their database
If the vehicle has outstanding trademarks or was recently reported stolen, read the vehicle brief under that VIN.
- If the vehicle has not been reported stolen or is relatively new, this report will notify you that the vehicle has not been registered in Theft Records (and/or) Total Loss Records database.
- Remember, these records only appear if the accident or theft was "logged" (although these records can take up to 6 months to appear in the database). So before you make an actual purchase, verify this information in the DMV.
- You are limited to only checking 5 VINs from one IP address per day.
Method 3 of 5: Checking VIN on Potentially Towed Vehicles
Step 1. Visit the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration website
Visit the NHTSA Recall website and click the tab that says "Vehicles."
Select the model year, make, and model from the drop-down menu and press Enter
Step 2. Check if there are any withdrawals
If the vehicle has already been towed, the data will be available under the Towing tab.
Step 3. Subscribe for email updates on the NHTSA email notification page
Method 4 of 5: Know Your Vehicle History For Free
Step 1. Visit VehicleHistory.com
Use a web browser to open Vehiclehistory.com.
Step 2. Enter the VIN number in the search box in the middle of the page
If your car was manufactured after 1980, the VIN number should be 17 digits. There is never an I, O, or Q in a VIN number to avoid confusion with the numbers 1 and 0.
If your car was manufactured before 1980, you won't be able to get a history report
Step 3. Open the vehicle history report
Once the VIN number is entered into the search bar, you should be able to see the report.
Method 5 of 5: Checking VIN Another Way
Step 1. Ask the vehicle dealer to provide a VIN check
If you are interested in a vehicle but don't want to spend time on a VIN check, ask the vehicle dealer if they provide a VIN check service.
- Sometimes, the seller will assist the potential buyer by paying for the VIN check service, saving the results in PDF or printed form, and then sending a copy to the prospective buyer.
- Always be careful, because the seller can trick the VIN check and mislead you. For a purchase worth thousands of dollars, it is very easy for the seller to lie to the buyer. If you feel you can't trust the seller or don't believe the reports provided, you're better off doing a self-examination for peace of mind.
Step 2. Pay a credible VIN check provider
It's definitely not free, but as noted above, the truly free options are very limited. Bottom line: If you're interested in buying a used vehicle, incorporate the VIN check fee into your budget. The following sources provide reliable VIN checks at low cost:
- Carfax
- Edmunds
- AutoCheck (part of Experian)
What You Need to Check VIN
- A 17-digit vehicle identification number that you want to check. Every VIN created after 1981 has a unique string of 17 numbers and letters. The above method cannot be applied to vehicles made before 1981 that do not have a 17-digit VIN.
- Pen & paper or camera to record VIN.
- Laptop or computer with internet access.
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_identification_number#Components_of_the_VIN
