Purchasing a used car can be great until hidden problems turn it into a nightmare.
That shiny 2020 Toyota Camry with gleaming paint, a spotless interior, and no visible wear might look pristine, but what if it was previously wrecked, flooded, or had its odometer rolled back?
Shady car dealers and sellers often don’t disclose these issues, which can impact a vehicle's value, performance, and safety. A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) check helps uncover a car’s true history, including accidents, title status, and prior damage, to protect you from costly mistakes.
This article will guide you on leveraging this unique, alphanumeric code without spending a penny to make a smart decision when buying used cars. We will reveal critical steps for conducting free VIN lookups, factors to consider when finding the best VIN check website, and some websites that provide free VIN lookup services.
How To Check a VIN for Free?
The VIN is typically found on the driver’s side dashboard near the windshield. Stand outside the vehicle and check the corner where the dashboard meets the windshield. If you don’t see it there, open the driver’s side door and look at the door jamb for a label or sticker displaying the VIN.
Some vehicles have it stamped on the engine’s firewall or beneath the front passenger seat. The VIN is also listed on the title, registration, and insurance documents.
Not all VIN check websites provide accurate, updated information, so use only reliable and trusted sources for lookups. Here are the steps and guidelines to consider when choosing a data provider and conducting free VIN checks:
- Find free VIN check services from government agencies like the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to ensure compliance with regulations.
- Check ratings, user feedback, and reviews to evaluate third-party services' reliability, speed, and accuracy.
- Once you've chosen a source, enter the 17-character VIN and required details on the provider's website, such as model year or registration state.
- Review the report online or via email for red flags like engine problems, title issues, or theft records.
Is There a Truly Free VIN Check?
Yes, many websites offer VIN checker services where you can get an absolutely free car history report.
However, these free services include only limited information. If you need comprehensive details such as title issues, accident history, or odometer readings, you usually need to purchase a full report or subscribe to a plan.
The following discussion explains how some platforms and websites provide free VIN checks:
AutoDNA
AutoDNA maintains a database of 23 billion records on over 500 million used vehicles across Europe and worldwide. AutoDNA gathers data from more than 50,000 institutions in the automotive sector, including central registries, state authorities, service centers, workshops, insurance companies, and other technical organizations for vehicles manufactured after 1981.
If you plan to buy a used car, AutoDNA’s VIN decoder allows you to access basic details for free. The limited data covers the make, model, equipment details, lien records, archived photos, previous inspections, and stolen vehicle reports.
ISeeCars
Leveraging big data analytics and proprietary algorithms, ISeeCars is a Boston-based used car search engine company that aggregates and analyzes 75% of used car listings in the U.S. on a single site to help car shoppers find the best deals while saving time and money.
With ISeeCars, accessing vehicle history reports called iVIN reports is simple. You can obtain free, high-quality vehicle history reports by scanning the barcode or QR code in the vehicle’s VIN using their free iOS or Android mobile app or by manually entering the VIN into ISeeCars’ online VIN check and lookup tool.
However, free iVIN reports provide only basic details like the car’s fair local market value, projected depreciation, and theft records. For more in-depth analyses and statistics, an iVIN Lite Plan costs $10 monthly for 50 reports. Moreover, the iVIN Pro Plan offers unlimited reports at $59 per month.
NICB (National Insurance Crime Bureau)
The nationwide rate of motor vehicle theft in the U.S. reached 318.7 reported cases per 100,000 population in 2023. As auto theft continues to rise, car shoppers must verify that a vehicle is not stolen to avoid legal or financial risks.
Combating insurance fraud and vehicle theft, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) is a non-profit organization that provides a free VIN lookup service (VINCheck) for consumers to identify stolen vehicles that have not been recovered or declared as salvage or total loss.
While NICB’s service provides added protection, it relies only on records from participating insurance companies, thereby limiting the scope and availability of information.
Thus, you won’t be able to check title issues, past accidents, or unresolved safety recalls. Critical red flags may also go unnoticed since the service does not access law enforcement or non-participating insurers’ records.
GoodCar
GoodCar is an authorized National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) data provider that compiles and distributes information from the NMVTIS and other sources such as insurance, auctions, car dealerships, and law enforcement databases and records.
The company has a VIN decoder and lookup tool that allows you to obtain vital details and technical specifications for a used car at no cost. For instance, you can verify the miles per gallon (MPG) ratings to estimate fuel costs, such as 28 city/35 highway for a Honda CR-V or 57 city/56 highway for a 2024 Toyota Prius.
Unlimited VIN checks from GoodCar require a $2.95 subscription fee. There are also extra charges per vehicle history report that contain additional data points.
VINCheckPro
Lastly, VINCheckPro completes our list of websites, providing an efficient, convenient, and secure way to perform VIN checks.
Without hidden charges or obligations, VINCheckPro’s versatile VIN decoder and lookup services permit you to access detailed vehicle history reports for any manufacturer and model and any All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) or motorcycle registered in any U.S. state.
How can you check a car’s history for free through VINCheckPro? Simply select your state or the car’s manufacturer, enter the VIN, and wait for the system to generate the report.
The report may include factory specifications, warranty coverage based on age and mileage, market value based on trends of similar vehicles sold, mileage records from past registrations, inspections, or sales, and previous fleet or rental use.
Free vs. Paid VIN Reports
A free VIN report gives you a basic snapshot of a vehicle’s past, but it often lacks critical details. These reports present raw data without expert interpretation or analysis, leaving questions about the car’s true condition unanswered.
In contrast, a paid VIN report provides a comprehensive overview of a car’s past, including salvage or rebuilt titles, undisclosed repairs, odometer fraud, and potential safety concerns.
The best free VIN check website can be a useful starting point if you're casually researching used cars to obtain basic information. However, when making a major purchase, opting for a comprehensive VIN report is a worthwhile investment that ensures peace of mind.
Skipping a VIN check could lead to unexpected repairs, financial loss, or even driving a car with dangerous, hidden defects.
