When you’re buying a used car, the best way to know that you’re making a smart purchase is by getting a detailed VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) check. VIN checking will disclose a car’s history, owner information, and status to provide you with information that can spare you the cost of a costly mistake. In this article, we will discuss why you need to do a VIN check prior to purchasing a used car and how this can keep you away from possible dangers.
For those interested to decode and research a car’s history with ease, Vininspect.com car vin decoder is a reliable way to check the car’s VIN and find out a lot of information about its history.
What is a VIN and Why is It Important?
A VIN is a 17-character alphabet-and-number sequence that is a distinctive marker of each car. It is a “fingerprint” of a car that encompasses significant information regarding the manufacturer of the car, the car’s model, the car’s engine type, and the manufacture location. Insurance companies, the authorities, and the departments of registration also access the car’s crash involvement record, theft record, or a branded title of “salvage” or “rebuilt” by the VIN.
A VIN check offers you the honesty and reassurance of uncovering concealed information that can impact the value of the car and its safety. If the car you are about to purchase is hiding something like a record of accidents or a falsified odometer reading, a VIN check will provide you with the information you need to know to make a smart choice.
The Risks of Not Inspecting the VIN
Skipping a VIN check while buying a used car can put you at a lot of risk. It can lead to you purchasing a car that was involved in a major crash, a car with a fake title, or a car that was actually stolen. Below are a number of the risks of failing to check the VIN:
- Accident History: If a car was involved in a serious crash, then the car might have concealed structural or mechanical problems. These can lead to potential dangers to the occupants of the car and costly repairs later on. With a VIN check, you will know if the car was involved in a crash and if the car was correctly repaired afterwards.
- Title Issues: Used vehicles can also have a “salvage” or “rebuilt” title if the car was totaled by the insurance company due to extensive damages. An examination of the VIN will show if the car is equipped with this type of title to prevent you from purchasing a car that could be difficult to insure or resell down the road.
- Odometer Fraud: Sellers fake the odometer to state that a car is less mileage-wise compared to the actual state of affairs. It is called odometer fraud. VIN checking can help you to find the discrepancy between the actual mileage of the car and the mileage registered on the odometer to avoid this fraud.
- Stolen Vehicles: If a car is stolen and goes unrecovered or is not properly reported, you could end up buying the car without being aware of this. VIN checking can crosscheck the car’s record with the national databases to know if the car is stolen to avert loss of the car upon purchase.
How to conduct a VIN Inspection
Performing a VIN check is quicker than ever with the assistance of online software such as Vininspect.com car vin decoder. With the software, you can simply enter the 17-character VIN to gain access to a detailed history report that will contain the following information:
- Ownership history: With whom was the car owned and for how long?
- Accident reports: All the accidents that the car had experienced, the magnitude of the damages.
- Title checks: If the vehicle has a salvage, rebuild, or other problem title
- Odometer verification: Inspection to check the authenticity of the odometer reading
- Stolen vehicle check: A request to check if the car is not a stolen car
To begin, simply look at the VIN on the car (usually on the dashboard next to the windshield or inside the driver’s side doorjamb). Enter the VIN into the inspector program, and within a couple of minutes you will have a detailed history report.
How VIN Inspection Can Save You Money
A VIN check can also spare you the cost of overspending on a car that is worth much less than the price being asked due to concealed damage, theft record, or other problems. With the presence of red flags, you can either negotiate a price cut or simply back out of a deal. Here’s why VIN check can spare you cash
- Avoid costly repairs: If the VIN check reveals that the car was involved in a major crash or other issue, you can avoid the purchase of a car that will soon need to have costly repairs made to it.
- Prevent buying a lemon: “Salvage title” or “rebuilt title” vehicles are sold at a discounted price tag, but they are difficult to insure and are prone to have issues later on. With a VIN check, you can prevent purchasing a “lemon.”
- Negotiate a discounted price: If you find that the record of the car is inaccurate (like odometer fraud), you can use that to negotiate a discounted price with the seller.
Conclusion
A VIN check is one of the smartest things you can do if you are buying a used car. It is open to the public and will also protect you from the pitfalls of buying a car with hidden problems. If the car you are considering is involved in a crash, if the odometer is falsified, or if the car is a salvage title car, a VIN check will inform you of the information you need to make a well-informed purchase.
By utilizing the sites like Vininspect.com car vin decoder, you can easily and simply check the car’s record before you finalize the purchase. Skip this crucial step at your own risk – you might end up saving money, time, and trouble later on. Ensure the used car you are purchasing is the right choice for you with a clean record.
-In collaboration with Vininspect
