Vehicle History Report: All You Need to Know

The vehicle identification number search (VIN search) and vehicle history report are terms used interchangeably in this field. A VIN is a 17-digit code that is analogous to a fingerprint and provides important information about the vehicle since its date of manufacture. The VIN is specific to every vehicle and, just like fingerprints, it cannot be altered.

A vehicle’s history report is in most cases regarded to be a VIN search report. However, the two terms are not quite the same. A VIN search provides basic information about the vehicle, such as the date and place of manufacture, model, warranties, type of braking system, and engine. 

On the other hand, a vehicle history report from FaxVin goes deep to highlight key information about the vehicle. Some of the details included in a vehicle history report are ownership details with the names and date of purchase, any conflicts with the odometer, transfer of ownership, and so on. This goes to show that a vehicle history report is more detailed compared to a VIN search report.

How to Get a Vehicle History Report

Going by the aforementioned differences, it is certain that getting a vehicle history report is paramount, especially if you want to purchase a second-hand vehicle. This will help you avoid any future problems and assist you in making informed decisions during the buying process.

You can easily get a detailed vehicle history report from one of the top providers. Moreover, you can get accurate past events and experiences of any type of vehicle. By partnering with other trustworthy sources such as insurance companies, State Inspection Stations, car manufacturers, and U.S. Motor Vehicle Title System among others, reliable services provide you with vital details that will help you during purchases.

The Next Step After Getting the Vehicle History Report

Once you have managed to get the vehicle’s history report, you are now able to decide whether it is prudent to buy the vehicle or not. However, reading the vehicle’s history report is not the ultimate determiner of whether to make the purchase or not. It is just a step in the long line of things that you need to do before purchasing a vehicle, including a check-up by a mechanic.

Inspection of the vehicle by a suitable mechanic will help you identify any issues that might not be listed in the vehicle history report. Moreover, the following should be done after going through a vehicle’s history report:

• Locate the owner and confirm the claims of the report
• Do a test drive on the vehicle
• Enquire about the maintenance records from the owner
• Carry out detailed research on the market value and maintenance cost of the vehicle

Key Details to Locate in a Vehicle History Report

Once you’ve got a copy of the vehicle history report, you need to go through it thoroughly so as not to miss something important. The report contains all kinds of information about the vehicle, from market value, title brand search, specifications, and every other detail. Information given by the report is divided into the following for precision:

• Specifications of the vehicle. This includes the color, year of manufacture, technical features, maximum HP, torque, the quantity of oil, and so on
• Ratings on the vehicle’s safety. The safety ratings are derived from tests carried out by IIHS which highlight the ability of the car to withstand crashes with minimal harm to the body.
• Market value. This gives insight into the total number of people in your area willing to purchase the vehicle
• Theft reports. They highlight any cases of theft incidences and recoveries that might have occurred since the manufacture of the vehicle.