| The VIN Lookup is a colloquial term that refers to | | | | between...all of this vital information is stored. |
| checking a used vehicle's history to gauge | | | | The VIN Lookup, or Vehicle History Report, allows |
| whether or not you should buy it. It is also | | | | you to tap into this vast database BEFORE you |
| referred to as a Vehicle History Report. However | | | | purchase the car, so you know exactly what |
| you label it, it is an integral part of the used car | | | | you're getting into. All you need is the VIN, which |
| buying process. | | | | you can request from the current owner. Using |
| Shopping for a used car can be a daunting task. | | | | this sequence, you can get a VIN Lookup report |
| Even when you find a few that look good, you | | | | from Carfax or Autocheck, two leaders in the |
| never really know what you're getting into. | | | | automotive industry. |
| Someone looking to sell might be withholding | | | | What will the report tell you? Hidden problems |
| valuable information such as a previous accident | | | | such as persistent mechanical issues, odometer |
| or an odometer problem, and you might not be | | | | tampering, fire or hail damage and severe |
| able to tell just by looking at the car or driving it | | | | damage. Other pieces of information on the VIN |
| around for a bit. | | | | Number Lookup include DMV transactions, |
| That's where the VIN Number Lookup comes into | | | | ownership transfers, mileage readings and vehicle |
| play. Every vehicle built after 1981 has a unique | | | | specs. Everything you need to know before you |
| 17-character alphanumeric vehicle identification | | | | make the final decision will be included in your |
| number (VIN). You can think of it as a car's | | | | vehicle history report. |
| fingerprint. Every time an accident is reported to | | | | So if you're in the market for a used car, |
| the insurance companies, the car changes owners, | | | | remember to perform a VIN Lookup using the |
| or anything else occurs with the automobile, it | | | | vehicle identification number first...you'll be glad you |
| goes into the DMV database. From the very first | | | | did. |
| registration until the last renewal and everything in | | | | |