How to Find Detailed Information About a Used BMW

Buying a car can be a harrowing ordeal for those who may not know all of the questions that should be asked, or all of the details that need to be examined. One tool that has recently come about to help with the car purchasing process is the car history report, Carfax.com being the best-known example. Websites exist where a full history of an automobile can be found simply by entering the vehicle identification number (VIN).

Instructions

Acquiring Information

1




All vehicles made since 1977 have had a standardized VIN.

Obtain the VIN for the vehicle that you wish to look up. In BMW vehicles, this number will be located on the left side of the dashboard, near the windshield. This location may vary for other makes of cars.

2

Determine which car history report website you are going to use. Some--like Carfax, AutoCheck, and InstaVIN--charge a fee, while others, like Vehicle Identification Number, do not. This is good to keep in mind should you choose to use more than one website and compare notes.

3




Having a copy of the report with you is a good way to ensure you are receiving good information from the seller.

Print the report, in case you want to check what the person selling the vehicle says against what the report says.