How to Get a Free Auto History Report on a Vehicle

A vehicle history report can provide you with information about a used car that you might not be able to find out otherwise. Vehicle history reports tell you if the car has ever been wrecked, stolen or otherwise considered totaled. Some reports also tell you if a car has a clear title and where it was last registered. It is commonly considered to be a good idea to get a vehicle history report on a vehicle before you purchase it. You can get vehicle history information for free from several different sources.

Instructions

1

Ask the person or dealership selling the vehicle to provide you with a complimentary vehicle history report. Many car dealerships do this as a matter of course, and you will be able to look at the report for free if you simply ask for it.

2

Locate the car's VIN number. The VIN number is on paperwork related to the car as well as on the car itself. You will find the VIN on the left side of the dashboard near the windshield and in the doorjamb on a white manufacturer's sticker.

3

Browse through available vehicle history report companies (see Resources). Many offer one free report as part of introductory specials, and you can also occasionally find coupons that give you a free report. Basic information about your vehicle will often come up as part of a free report; however you may have to pay to get extra, in-depth results.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau also provides a free VIN check function that will tell you if the vehicle in question has ever been stolen or totaled in an accident (see Resources).