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What Should You Know Before Buying or Selling a Car?

Vehicle history reports are important, but they only give some of the answers you should know before buying or selling a vehicle.

iVIN Reports are powered by iSeeCars' award-winning data analysis. Try our comprehensive VIN checks to get all of the answers you need, make an informed decision and have peace of mind.

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Market Value Price Analysis

Determines the fair local market value to help you negotiate

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Vehicle Condition Analysis

Analyzes avg. miles for similar cars and positives/negatives

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Similar Cars Comparison

Analyzes price, mileage and market value of similar cars

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Market Demand and Supply

Reveals how many similar cars are for sale near you

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Selling History

Provides records of price changes, prior listings and sales

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Unbiased Dealer Scorecard

Analyzes price competitiveness, transparency and responsiveness

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Multi-Year Depreciation Analysis

Estimates what to expect and compares similar vehicles

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Best Times to Buy and Sell

Analyzes historical selling price by month of similar cars

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Free Theft Record Check

Shows National Insurance Crime Bureau database reports

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Free Recall History Check

Shows past recalls and open recalls that haven't been fixed

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Key Specifications

Provides a comprehensive list of specs and features

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Vehicle Title/Lien Info

Limited availability, varies depending on the state's DMV

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Vehicle History Summary

Available for iVIN Data Reports when provided by the seller

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3 Important Questions Our Reports Answer

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What's a fair price for this car?

Know the fair local market value and compare the price with siimlar cars for sale near you.

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How does this vehicle compare?

Find out the average mileage for similar cars, key price considerations and iSeeCars listing history.

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What else should I know or check?

Check open recalls and reported thefts, and see unbiased dealer ratings all in one place

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    LOVE THIS APP! Found out all info regarding a preowned vehicle I'm interested in! Will only use this app from now on while searching for a used vehicle!
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    I have been looking for a tool like this for some time and I have been in the automotive industry for 30+ years! Every automotive professional should use this daily. Monday morning I will be recommending this incredible app to a number of people and after that I will recommend it to anyone!
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    Thank you for this free information. It was a great help in making the decisions I need to make for selling my vehicle.

How To Run a Free VIN Check

What is a VIN or vehicle identification number?

VIN stands for "vehicle identification number." It is the unique code assigned by manufacturers for a specific automobile. A VIN is the automotive equivalent of a social security number. No two vehicles in operation have the same VIN.

A VIN is made up of 17 alphanumeric characters with each letter or number revealing identifying information about the vehicle including year, make, model, engine size, manufacturer, manufacturing location, and safety features. Along with providing vehicle specifications, a VIN can also be used to identify past or open recalls, registrations, warranty claims and status, insurance coverage and theft records.

Why is checking a VIN on a used car important?

If you're considering buying a used car, it's important to check the vehicle's VIN to help determine the quality and reliability of a used car. If the advertised VIN number does not match the make and model of an advertised vehicle, it can indicate a potential scam or illegal modifications. A standard third-party VIN check may also reveal important vehicle history information, including if it has been officially reported as stolen or if it has a clean title.

How do I look up a VIN number to get a free iSeeCars VIN Report?

You can sign up to get 5 free lookups and access 5 full VIN reports every month. Low-cost paid subscription plans are also available if you want to see more reports.

Here's where you can look up one of our free VIN reports:

  • Desktop computer or mobile website - Free VIN lookup
  • iSeeCars free mobile Android and iOS VIN apps - Download our app so you can quickly scan a vehicle's barcode and instantly view the VIN report
  • All used car listings on the iSeeCars website - Click the "Full Report" button to see the report
  • Google Chrome extension - Automatically generates our iVIN report when a VIN is found on any website you're browsing, like Craigslist and car shopping sites
How can I check a car's vehicle history report for free?

Some iSeeCars reports include a free vehicle history report when it's provided by the vehicle's seller. These CARFAX or AutoCheck vehicle history summaries provide helpful information about a car's past, including reported accidents, the number of previous owners, and a reported salvage title. Knowing the free vehicle history info helps you better understand the condition of the vehicle and anticipate future problems.

Can I look up my vehicle specs by VIN number?

Yes. iSeeCars iVIN Data Reports include key vehicle specifications, including trim, color, transmission type, drivetrain, engine type, towing capacity and more. These specs also show how the car compares to the average for its vehicle class.

Can I check safety recalls and recall information by VIN number?

Yes. Each iSeeCars iVIN Data Report includes a free recall check that indicates if there are any open or past recalls for the vehicle. The VIN report also links to the NHTSA database, which identifies (a) if there is an open recall for any new or used cars and (b) information about all past recalls for the vehicle, including safety-related recalls such as those involving Takata airbags.

Along with being a safety hazard, unresolved recalls including emissions recalls can result in a failed vehicle inspection. If a vehicle has an open recall, ask the seller to address the recall notice because it will likely involve recall repairs.

Is a VIN always 17 digits?

Beginning in 1981, all vehicles are required to have a 17-digit VIN. Vehicles manufactured before 1981 have VINs that are between 11 and 17 characters.

In 1981, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) standardized how VINs are formatted. Under the NHTSA standard, a VIN is composed of 17 characters consisting of numbers and letters, and each set of numbers has a specific meaning. A VIN never includes the letters I, O and Q to avoid being mistaken for 1 and 0 (zero).

Can VIN numbers be changed?

It's a federal crime to alter, remove or tamper with a vehicle's VIN number.

See More VIN FAQs

Where Can I Find a Car's VIN?

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The Dashboard

The VIN is usually located on the dashboard of the driver's side of a vehicle. It can be found by standing outside of the car and looking at the corner where the dashboard meets the windshield.

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The Door Jamb

If you don't see the VIN on the dashboard, it can be found by opening the driver's side door and looking inside the door jamb. A VIN is also included on a vehicle's registration, vehicle title and insurance card.

How To Decode VIN Number Characters

There are 17 digits or characters in each vehicle's unique VIN. Here is what each VIN digit represents to help you better understand your vehicle.

Free VIN Check and Decoder with History Reports (49)
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Digit 1: Country of Origin

The first digit specifies where the vehicle was manufactured. Here are the most common country codes and countries:

  • United States
  • Canada
  • Mexico
  • Foreign vehicle made in the US
  • Brazil
  • Japan
  • Germany
  • England
  • Taiwan
  • Korea
  • Sweden
  • Europe
  • Italy
Digits 2-3: Manufacturer & Division

The second digit identifies the specific vehicle's manufacturer. It's often the first letter of the manufacturer's name, such as B for BMW vehicles.

Since some characters can stand for multiple manufacturers, the third digit combines with the first two to indicate the specific manufacturing division. For example, JM1 can designate Mazda, while JMB can designate Mitsubishi. The first three digits together are known as the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI).

Here are some of the commonly used second digits:

  • Audi
  • BMW
  • Chrysler
  • Ford
  • General Motors (Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Buick)
  • Honda
  • Lincoln
  • Nissan
  • Volkswagen
Digits 4-8: Vehicle Descriptor Section

These characters identify specific details about the car's vehicle type.

  • Digit 4: Safety features and information specific to the model
  • Digit 5: The vehicle's series
  • Digits 6 & 7: Bodystyle and body type
  • Digit 8: Engine size
Digit 9: Security Code

The ninth digit is the check digit, which is a security code used to help detect incorrect VINs, based on US Department of Transportation guidelines.

Digit 10: Model Year

The tenth digit represents the vehicle's model year.

  • 1981-2000: Designated by the letters B through Y, with the letters I, O, Q, U and Z excluded.
  • 2001-2009: Designated by the numbers 1 through 9 indicate the model years 2001 through 2009.
  • 2010-Present: In 2010, the alphabet cycle started again with A and will continue through the year 2030. In 2031, the number cycle of 1 through 9 will start again until 2039.
Digit 11: Manufacturing Plant

The eleventh digit indicates the vehicle's assembly plant. Each vehicle manufacturer has its own set of plant codes. For example, these are the VIN characters for some of Toyota's many manufacturing plants: R for Lafayette, Indiana; S for Princeton, Indiana; and U for Georgetown, Kentucky.

Digits 12-17: Production Serial Numbers

These ending digits are the production line numbers that represent the vehicle's unique production or serial number. (Digits 10-17 are collectively known as the Vehicle Identifier Section.)

VIN Decoders for All Makes

  • Acura
  • Alfa Romeo
  • Aston Martin
  • Audi
  • Bentley
  • BMW
  • Buick
  • Cadillac
  • Chevrolet
  • Chrysler
  • Daihatsu
  • Dodge
  • Ferrari
  • Fiat
  • Ford
  • Genesis
  • GMC
  • Honda
  • HUMMER
  • Hyundai
  • Infiniti
  • Isuzu
  • Jaguar
  • Jeep
  • Kia
  • Lamborghini
  • Land Rover
  • Lexus
  • Lincoln
  • Maserati
  • Mazda
  • Mercedes-Benz
  • Mercury
  • MINI
  • Mitsubishi
  • Nissan
  • Oldsmobile
  • Peugeot
  • Plymouth
  • Polestar
  • Pontiac
  • Porsche
  • Ram
  • Renault
  • Rivian
  • Rolls-Royce
  • Saab
  • Saturn
  • Smart
  • Subaru
  • Suzuki
  • Tesla
  • Toyota
  • Volkswagen
  • Volvo

VIN Check by State

  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Minnesota
  • Ohio
  • Texas
  • Wisconsin
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FAQs

Free VIN Check and Decoder with History Reports? ›

The National Insurance Crime Bureau offers a free VIN check to determine whether a vehicle was ever reported stolen or damaged to the point where it was issued a salvage title. NICB offers up to five free VIN checks from one IP address within a 24-hour period, using data supplied by car insurance companies.

How to get a free VIN check 100% free? ›

The National Insurance Crime Bureau offers a free VIN check to determine whether a vehicle was ever reported stolen or damaged to the point where it was issued a salvage title. NICB offers up to five free VIN checks from one IP address within a 24-hour period, using data supplied by car insurance companies.

What is the best free website to check car history? ›

Get the Vehicle's History

Visit the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) website, vehiclehistory.gov, to get a vehicle history report with title, insurance loss, and salvage information. This site lists NMVTIS-approved providers of vehicle history reports.

Is there a free VIN decoder? ›

On NHTSA.gov, you can query a particular vehicle's VIN to identify specific information encoded in the number. NHTSA's VIN decoder is publicly accessible at: https://vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov/decoder/.

What is the free alternative to Carfax? ›

VinCheck.info is a free alternative that provides information about a vehicle's history, including title details and recalls.

Can I check Carfax for free? ›

A free CARFAX report is also available through many dealer websites. As you browse a dealer's used car inventory, look for links to free CARFAX Reports. If a link is unavailable, contact the dealer and ask them for the CARFAX Report. Free CARFAX Reports are available at many car dealerships in your area.

Is Vinseeker free? ›

Our service provides vehicle history reports through a subscription model. Initially, users receive their first report for just $1, which includes a 7-day trial and then $29.95/month membership. This membership allows access to up to 30 reports per month.

What is the best free VIN check to see if a car is stolen? ›

Use NICB's Free VINCheck® Service

NICB's VINCheck is a free service provided to the public to assist in determining if a vehicle has been reported as stolen, but not recovered, or has been reported as a salvage vehicle by cooperating NICB member insurance companies.

What is the most reliable car history check? ›

Carfax is the most well-known provider of vehicle history reports.

How to use VIN number to check car history? ›

You can obtain a free VIN check by entering it in the VIN check box below under "Run an AutoCheck ® vehicle history report." Enter your VIN in the space provided and click "Check VIN." (You can obtain your free VIN check without having to purchase anything.)

Is it safe to use VIN decoder? ›

That's why we like the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration's VIN decoder, an official U.S. government service that offers a comprehensive look at how a car was originally equipped based on data submitted to NHTSA by automakers. It's easy to use and totally free.

How much does VIN decoder cost? ›

The cost of VIN decoders can vary a great deal depending on the type and quality of the product you are looking for. Basic online decoders that provide limited information may be free or relatively inexpensive, while more comprehensive versions can range from $10-$50.

Is there a free app to scan VIN? ›

The VIN Decoder & Vehicle History App

This VIN scanner app, introduced by Vehicle Databases Inc., is developed with high-quality OCR technology and identifies vehicle identification numbers (VINs) with ease. The VIN decoder & Vehicle History app allow free VIN decoding. Yes!

How do I run a free VIN report? ›

NICB's VINCheck is a free lookup service provided to the public to assist in determining if a vehicle may have a record of an insurance theft claim, and has not been recovered, or has ever been reported as a salvage vehicle by participating NICB member insurance companies.

Why not to use CARFAX? ›

First, Carfax reports have come under fire in the past for often providing inaccurate or incomplete information. Further, when the report is provided by the dealer, you cannot be absolutely sure that the report is current and accurate and that the vehicle has not been in an accident or damaged.

What is VINwiki used for? ›

VINwiki | The Platform

VINwiki lets you see the full picture behind a car's unique history. Did a bear tear off the bumper? Has your BMW M5 been used to pull a boat? What really happened where it says “Accident Reported”.

How can I get a free odometer check? ›

Use the free Carfax odometer check tool to get the facts on odometer fraud and find out what to do next.

Is bumper free to use? ›

Bumper is a car dealership website that has its own VIN checking tool. It is probably the most common web tool that is used to check a VIN for free. It provides a free trial service as well from which you can check a specific vehicle's history from the legitimate sources.

How can I check my engine number for free? ›

Vahan: Visit the Vahan website or use the Vahan app. Enter your vehicle's registration number, and you can retrieve details like the chassis number, engine number, and other essential information. MParivahan: Similar to Vahan, Parivahan Sewa also offers online access to your vehicle's details.

References

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