What should a detailed Vin Check include?

• Feb 22, 2023

Why would you perform a VIN check? You will do it to assess the condition of the vehicle you want to purchase so you can negotiate the right price and avoid inheriting debt with the vehicle. But what would you get from this report? Or more simply, what information will be included in this report?
Here is everything you should know about the VIN report.

What is a VIN Check?

Vehicle identification number (VIN) tracks data about the car from its build and make to the accidents it has experienced. Usually, you can use this number to track basic information about a vehicle without costs.

Basic VIN Check Report

Note that this basic version includes information about the car’s ownership status, its assembly detail, and its financing structure. More basic checks may also exclude financing checks on the car. Note that for car buyers, the financial history of a vehicle is one of the most important details of the transaction so you wouldn’t want to miss checking it out.

Comprehensive VIN Check Report

Financing details must be included in a paid VIN check report. You will also get information about theft associated with the car in the past.
Here are other details that are included in this report.
Pro tip: Note that insurance companies will also use this detail to calculate the cost of insurance for your new car so it’s best if you get a car in great condition. But don’t dwell on it too much. Many other factors will determine the insurance cost of a car for you. For example, your driving history and your investment in enhancing your driving skills. So, if you want to keep your ongoing car-related costs low, prepare well for the hazard perception test and drive mindfully.
Accident history of the car – this major piece will tell you if the car was in a significant accident so you can expect how original its body and components are as of today.
Car insurance claims – combine it with the accident history and you will learn the impact of accidents experienced by the car. Again, it demonstrates the vehicle’s resale value as well as useful life.
Servicing log – this will verify or refute the mileage claim. Plus, you will see if the car was maintained and serviced.
Odometer tampering – this is the information you need to ascertain if the car is presenting the right information about its mileage.
Recall record – you will use this record to know if the model of your desired car is subject to recall campaigns by the manufacturer.
Prior title record – you need this record to ascertain the car ownership history. Specifically, it tells the number of times the vehicle has changed hands to reach the current owner.
Commercial use record – it will help you see the extent of wear and tear the car must have undergone.
Damage record – this is different from an accident record as it includes a broader range of incidents that can damage the car. Examples of damages that can be mentioned on this record include fire, flood, or hail.

Take Away

A comprehensive VIN check report is a must if you want to ascertain the value for money of your vehicle. But some of these checks are better than others. Before buying a report from one of these ask if you will get a comprehensive report that includes all data that is listed in this post.