vehicle history report

vehicle history report

The Importance of Vehicle History Reports

1. Understanding Vehicle History Reports

Odometer check: It is estimated that over 450,000 vehicles are sold each year with false odometer readings. These vehicles are sold for much more than they are actually worth. Odometer fraud cost consumers over 1 billion dollars annually. An odometer check can prevent you from being in such a situation.

Cleaning the title: This is a term used to describe a vehicle that has had severe damages in the past and been labeled a total loss. When this happens, insurance companies salvage the vehicle and replace the title with a salvage certificate. Providing that this vehicle has been repaired and passes a state’s safety and/or smog inspection, the title will be changed to “rebuilt” or “reconstructed”. With this title, a vehicle is worth significantly less than one with a clean title.

In truth, a vehicle history report is just a small price to pay for peace of mind when purchasing a vehicle. It is a comprehensive document that can provide you with a substantial amount of vital information about the history of a specific vehicle.

2. Benefits of Obtaining a Vehicle History Report

When purchasing a used vehicle, whether it is from a private individual or a dealer, there is always a level of uncertainty. It can be difficult to determine if the seller is reliable and if the vehicle has been well maintained. A vehicle history report can take some of the uncertainty out of the process. After entering the vehicle identification number (VIN), consumers can learn about the vehicle’s past. Reported data can include vehicle title and registration information, accident and repair history, flood damage, mileage data, lemon history, and the number of vehicle owners. This information can make a difference when trying to evaluate if the vehicle is worth the asking price. If the vehicle is known to have a salvage title or has been in a serious accident, it will likely be worth much less than a similar vehicle with a clean history. Alternatively, the report may reveal that the car has had only one or two owners, has never been in an accident, and has been meticulously maintained. This information would likely allow a buyer to feel more confident about purchasing the vehicle and could potentially save money in the long term. In some cases, if a dealer is willing to provide the report for a vehicle, it may be possible to negotiate the asking price based on information in the report. High-end used car dealers often provide a vehicle history report for all of their inventory as an added sales tool. This not only provides customers with full-disclosure on the vehicle, but also creates a competitive advantage over private sellers and less reputable dealers. Customers will feel confident about their purchase and are likely to return for future business.

3. How to Obtain a Vehicle History Report

As stated above, there are numerous ways to obtain a vehicle history report. One of the most common ways is through the internet. Getting a report online is typically quick and easy. There are hundreds of companies on the internet that provide vehicle history reports. The information is obtained by entering the vehicle’s VIN number. The results will then be presented in a few different formats. It is good to find an internet company that provides a large amount of information about the vehicle and a well-organized, easy-to-read report. This will be the most beneficial in future decision making. It also proves the most convenient. With an internet report, the information about a vehicle can be accessed at any time and usually viewed more than once, for example, before an auction and then at the car viewing prior to the auction. The information doesn’t have to be worried about being lost like a stack of papers. Another way to obtain a vehicle history report is to find a local private company that provides reports. This way is most beneficial if the company comes with high regards. Sometimes a local company can provide a printout of the information and may explain to you in person the good and the bad of a vehicle. This way may also be a little more expensive than the internet but will ensure that the information was given to a reliable source. In some cases, your car dealership may be able to provide you with a vehicle history report. This is usually a free service they provide when you are looking into purchasing a vehicle. This is a more convenient way of getting a report because the information can be brought up instantly in the dealership’s computer. This may not provide as in-depth information as an online report but will provide the necessary means of information in many cases.

4. Interpreting the Information in a Vehicle History Report

Ignoring the topic, comments and number of characters we have the result as follows: Interpreting the information in a vehicle history report requires some detective work. The 17-character VIN is like the car’s Social Security number: it gives you access to vital information and can help you know what you’re getting into. In most cases, an experienced mechanic or a conscientious seller will provide the decoding information in the report. If you are unable to obtain decoding information, you can use the 17-character code to generate a report with a number of online companies. This is a useful tool because the information generated by the VIN may not contain all past events relating to the vehicle. The vehicle history report provides a great deal of information, although you must interpret the data. New buyers often rely too heavily on a vehicle’s history report to tell them if they should make the purchase or not. The history report is a useful tool but it is only one aspect in determining the value of the vehicle, and what potential problems they should be aware of in the future. Step one in interpreting the report is to understand what you receive back from your VIN report. This includes knowing what each of the 17 digits in your VIN add up to and how they affect your vehicle information. Ideally, the report will be listed step-by-step, matching each number and letter with its appropriate information. This means the make, model, engine type and body style should all be accurately portrayed with no conflicting information. If the VIN information does not match up, it is likely that the car is or was stolen and you should immediately discontinue the purchase or ownership of that vehicle.

5. Making Informed Decisions with Vehicle History Reports

It means that the future buyer must be able to understand what information is presented on the report and how it may affect a car’s worth. Recognizing which problems are too costly to fix and which may be potential bargaining points in lowering a car’s price are the important decisions that a buyer must make. For instance, if a car has been in an accident and has had the bodywork misaligned, it would be considered a costly problem to fix. This type of information found on a history report would steer a buyer away from the car unless he/she could use it as a bargaining point to lower the price of sale. Knowing discrepancies in a vehicle’s mileage is also essential in making informed decisions. If it is found that a car’s gauge cluster has been tampered with, this would be a blatant sign that the car’s value has been altered.

Habitually, a large purchase, such as a vehicle, requires an intensive amount of consideration. When purchasing a used vehicle, even more thought should be directed at the process of selecting the right car. Utilizing vehicle history reports to gather factual information about a car is one intelligent way of understanding a vehicle’s past. This, in turn, will allow for more informed decisions to be made.