| Getting a vehicle history report is one of the most | | | | Identification Number, sometimes called a VIN |
| important steps in the used car buying process. | | | | Number or VIN for short. It is like an automobile's |
| Why? Because it is the only way to find out the full | | | | fingerprint and is a 17-character alphanumeric |
| history of the vehicle, including any serious problems | | | | sequence that identifies that particular car. |
| that might not be evident upon inspecting or even | | | | The VIN can be found on the insurance card, the |
| test-driving the car. | | | | driver's side dashboard, the title or registration or the |
| The vehicle history report, also referred to as the | | | | driver's side door post. |
| VIN search or VIN check, is a complete biography of | | | | While you are shopping for used cars, make sure you |
| an automobile, from the time it was first registered | | | | write down the 17-character VIN Number for each |
| up until the last ownership transfer. Some of the | | | | vehicle you encounter. Then you can go online to one |
| important information that will be included in the | | | | of the Vehicle History Report companies--for |
| report are odometer readings, DMV transactions, | | | | suggestions you can visit Car Detective at the link |
| ownership transfers and registration data. | | | | below--and either order a single VIN search or |
| However, the most essential part of the vehicle | | | | unlimited VIN checks, depending on how many |
| history report is the section on serious problems that | | | | different cars you want to check. |
| the car has had in the past. This will include any major | | | | The unique VIN you enter will be checked against a |
| issue that was reported to the Department of Motor | | | | database of millions of DMV records to reveal all of |
| Vehicles, such as collision damage, odometer rollback, | | | | the available history on that particular car. In addition |
| police use, theft, fire, hail and water damage, | | | | to basic vehicle information, the vehicle history |
| persistent mechanical issues and more. Many sellers | | | | reports will reveal any problems that you should be |
| will not want to reveal this information for obvious | | | | aware of. |
| reasons...still others might not even be aware of the | | | | The unlimited report option will allow you to check as |
| problems if the vehicle has changed hands multiple | | | | many cars as you want for a period of 60 days, so |
| times. | | | | it might be a better choice if you are considering |
| That is why it is crucial that you get a vehicle history | | | | more than one car at a time. |
| report before you decide to buy any used car, | | | | So next time you are in the market for a used car, |
| whether it's through a dealer, a neighbor or a friend. | | | | get a vehicle history report before you make the |
| It's a small price to pay to avoid a problematic used | | | | final decision. For the cost of a couple of movie |
| vehicle. | | | | tickets you might be avoiding thousands of dollars in |
| Wondering how to get a vehicle history report? | | | | future mechanical problems...isn't that worth it for |
| It's quite simple. Every car has a unique Vehicle | | | | your peace of mind? |