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Vehicle History Tips and Advice


Purchasing a used car is a big decision. All sorts of problems can arise from seemingly nowhere. But at the same time, a used car is an excellent chance to save money and get a vehicle at a great value. So how can you be sure you're putting your money towards the right car? There are many steps to take, such as doing a thorough inspection and test drive, having the vehicle inspected by a certified mechanic, and checking the vehicle history report. The price you pay for a history report is worth every penny, as it could mean the difference in a great value and a vehicle that is full of problems. By using the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), you can see if the car has been reported to be wrecked or stolen. You can also find out if there was any reported flood damage or if there are any recalls on it. Reviewing vehicle history reports can even reveal odometer fraud.

Where does the information come from?


All this information is stored in a database using the VIN number. Vehicle history reports are overviews of a vehicle's history. VIN numbers hold registration records, which will describe how the car was utilized in the past, such as in a fleet, the police force or as a taxi. A vehicle history report can show you if the vehicle was rebuilt or if the car was salvaged. As a consumer, one of the worst things that can happen to you is for you to discover you've wasted thousands of dollars on a vehicle that is full of nothing but trouble. Vehicle history reports are powerful tools that could help you greatly minimize that risk. At one time there was no way to check a vehicle's history. Buyers could only go on the evidence in front of them, basing their decision on the mechanical condition of the car. But computer technology has made it possible to use the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to reveal a car's possibly checkered past.

A Likely Used Car Scenario


Vehicle history reports are overviews of a vehicle's history. A vehicle history report can show you if the vehicle was rebuilt or if the car was salvaged. Vehicle history reports are powerful tools that could help you greatly minimize that risk. You're shopping for a used car when you think you've hit pay dirt. When you question the owner about the car's history, he says he bought it from a used car lot only two years ago. Maybe something's wrong with the car that they are keeping hidden. Who owned the car before? Vehicle history reports can be ordered from a number of Internet companies. The first company to offer this service is Carfax, which, as the name suggests, began faxing used car reports as early as 1986. Users can also get a free Carfax Safety Reliability Report that includes key make and model level information when ordering the unlimited Carfax report option.

A Look at a History Report


Vehicle History reports will cost around 5 dollars for a single report, or $35 for ten reports, and $40 for an unlimited number of reports for one month. Vehicle history information is drawn from the monster database. If you order a report from Carfax, your report is broken into nine categories: report summary, vehicle specifications, accident check, mileage accuracy check, lemon check, ownership check, recall check, warranty check and vehicle history details. Most importantly, Carfax provides an independent check of a vehicle's history. While the odometer of a used car might show that it has only 55,000 miles, the Carfax might indicate that the odometer readings at key events in the car's history, emissions tests or title changes, don't match up.

For example, the report might show that a certain vehicle was smog-checked in December 1999 at 55,000 miles. The number of miles a car is driven directly affects the price of the car. If a car has been branded in another state, with a salvage title, for example,  this will be revealed on the report. Salvage titles are assigned to cars that have been considered a total loss by insurance companies. Though the car might still run and be drivable, having a salvage title significantly reduces the car's value.



 
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