When buying a used car, knowing the vehicle’s history is so important, otherwise, you won’t know if you’re getting a great deal or a total dud that’s not worth your money.
That’s why car history reports are so useful.
A car history report is usually referred to as a VIN check and in this post, I’m gonna show you a few ways you can get a totally free vehicle history report.
There are lots of websites out there that offer free vehicle history reports.
These reports are often called:
- VIN checks
- VIN lookups
- VIN number checks
- VIN number search
Most of the time, the info you get from these free reports is basic stuff. So, if you need a vehicle’s accident or lien history or a stolen vehicle check, you’ll usually need to pay for that information.
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With that being said, some companies do provide more info like that for free!
Table of Contents
What can a VIN Check tell you?
A car report or VIN check can tell you lots of things about a car’s history, like:
- Flood damage
- Vehicle maintenance
- Past ownership
- Selling history
- Faulty odometer settings/odometer rollbacks
- Tittle history
What each check tells you will vary. For many places, you will have to pay to see a car’s accident history, but some places will give you this information for free – more about that below.
How do I find my Vehicle Identification Number?
Okay, so to get started, you’ll need your vehicle identification number (VIN).
All of the sites that offer free reports require you to enter this number in order to get your vehicle’s info.
Here’s where you can find your VIN:
- The driver side interior dash is the most common place to find your VIN.
- Under the hood at the front of the engine is another place to check.
- Also check between your front carb and windshield washer unit.
Additional places to look include:
- In the trunk under the spare tire.
- In the rear wheel well
- In the driver door jamb (open door).
Once you have your VIN, you can get a report at no cost!
Where to Get a Free VIN Check
Here’s where you can get a free car history report:
1. NICB’s VINCheck
The NICB provides a free VINCheck. This is a service designed to help the public to determine if a vehicle has been stolen, but not recovered, or has been reported as a salvage vehicle by participating NICB member insurance companies.
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If you’re looking to check if a used vehicle is legit, there’s no better check than the NICB’s VINCheck.
Using this service is so easy as well.
To complete a search for your vehicle’s history, enter your VIN. You can perform up to five searches in a 24-hour period per IP address.
- Link: Find your vehicle’s history here.
2. iSeeCars VIN Report
Next on our list is the iSeeCars VIN Report. This is another good option if you’re looking to learn more about your vehicle’s history.
What sets the iSeeCars report apart from other free vehicle checks is that it’s much more comprehensive.
Most free sites give you basic information. This one goes the extra mile to provide you with lots of information about your vehicle, like a theft record and lien history, at no cost. It provides you with a comprehensive analysis that includes up to 200 data points!
Through the iSeeCars VIN Report, you can also get a free CarFax report (this is a super detailed report of your vehicle’s history that costs about $40) when provided by the seller or dealer. So, some reports include a link to a free CarFax report.
All you need to do to get started is enter your VIN.
- Link: Get your VIN report here.
3. VIN Report from VehicleHistory.com
Next on our list we have VehicleHistory.com. This site is mentioned by a lot of places as it is such a good option for getting to know your vehicle’s history, without having to pay for it.
What I like about this site is how easy it is to use.
The website has a super clean, easy-to-navigate design which makes checking your car’s history a breeze.
Visit the site’s homepage and you’ll be presented with a simple box to fill out. Enter your cars VIN, hit search, and you’ll be able to view your car’s history report. It’s that simple. And it’s free!
- Link: Get your free VIN report here.
4. VIN lookup from VINCheck.info
VINCheck.info says its VIN report is a great free alternative to a Carfax report.
On the site, you can run a free VIN lookup. Just enter your VIN. You’ll get a report that the site says is similar to a Carfax report that covers things like:
- Serious accidents
- Title brands
- Theft
- Recalls
Overall, it’s great for getting a comprehensive look at your car’s history.
- Link: You can start your VIN lookup here.
5. Vehicle history report from LemonChecks.com
Next up we have the vehicle history report from LemonChecks.com.
What I like about this site is that it provides you with such a comprehensive vehicle history that’s totally free.
A lot of free reports are pretty basic. So, the fact that LemonChecks.com provides a detailed history as a Carfax one would, is pretty awesome.
On the site, each vehicle history report checks:
- Major accidents
- Flooded car damage
- Odometer rollbacks
- Full title history
- Undisclosed liens
- Theft
- And more!
The site is easy to use too. All you need to do is enter your car’s VIN and you’ll get your free report.
- Link: Get your vehicle history report here.
6. VIN Check Report from FreeVinCheckBottom of Form
If you’re looking for a simple report, head on over to FreeVinCheck. On this site, you can enter your number and get your report. It’s that simple.
I like this site because it’s easy to navigate, and it gives you a quick way to learn about your car!
- Link: Get your VIN check report here.
7. AutoCheck Vehicle History Report
AutoCheck, which is a part of Experian, provides a free vehicle history report score.
Its reports summarize car history records in one easy-to-understand score.
What’s great about AutoCheck is that it allows you to compare multiple vehicles, which helps you to decide which one is best.
To get your vehicle history report score, just enter your VIN or plate.
It’s super simple!
- Link: Get your report score here.
8. VIN check from autoDNA
Around since 2010, autoDNA is a well-established site that’s worth checking if you’re looking to learn more about a used vehicle.
It bills itself as a leading provider of vehicle history reports for secondhand cars from Europe and the USA.
Enter your VIN and you’ll get a free VIN check.
Its reports only include verified information from reliable sources, which is great!
- Link: Get your VIN check here.
9. VIN Check and Vehicle History from FAXVIN
FAXVIN is another one to consider. It’s not as well known as the others on this list, but it could still be a worth a try.
With it, you can run a VIN check, and get the history of your vehicle, which can include:
- Odometer readings
- Accident history
- Recalls and defects
- Lien and repossession records
- Theft and recovery records
- And more!
So, get started by entering your vehicle’s VIN.
- Link: Get your VIN check here.
How can I get a CarFax report for free?
Carfax reports are super detailed, so many people want them when buying a used vehicle.
Is there a way to get one for free?
Well, some of the services above provide comprehensive reports, so do give those a try.
If, however, it is that Carfax report that you want for free, then there are a couple of ways to get a Carfax report for free. You could buy a used vehicle that’s listed on the Carfax website, or you could visit a car dealership that provides free Carfax reports.
Go and Get Your Free Car History Report!
As you can see, there are so many places where you can get a free car history report or check. So, give the sites above a try!
Where’s your favorite place to get a free VIN check? Let us know in the comments section below!
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