How to Check a VIN for any Automobile

Buying a used car can save you a lot of money, since new cars immediately lose value as soon as they are driven off the lot. However, you do run the risk of getting stuck with costly vehicle repair bills if something goes wrong with the used car you buy. There is a way to cut down on the odds of getting stuck with a lemon, and find out if a car is at risk of needing heavy-duty repairs.

Instructions

1

Log on to MyUsedCarPrices.com or a similar website and browse to the VIN check page.

2

Enter the VIN from the vehicle you want to check in the VIN check box.

3

Agree to any terms and conditions for your free VIN check. Most websites require an agreement to use the information in the VIN check for a certain range of purposes (i.e. personal information, to check the car's history). You may not use the information gathered in that VIN search for any other purposes than the ones stated in the terms.

4

Hit enter and send your VIN to the VIN check company. The report will be pulled from the server and delivered to you through email, or it will be made available on your computer screen.

5

Review the report and note all the information it gives you. If you are interested in more information, a simple vehicle history report can be purchased. This gives more detailed information about the car's maintenance and other important factors that might come into play when you make a decision to buy the car.