Automobile History Reports:

Uncovering potential automobile history problems and warning signs

When you're looking for a used automobile, you'll probably want to find one that has been driven no more than 15,000 miles per year. But you can't assume that a low-mileage car is necessarily in great shape. The only way to know the car's history is with an automobile history report.

One major concern is odometer tampering. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that consumers lose billions of dollars a year to odometer fraud. Odometer readings may be rolled back or documents can be forged. Making miles disappear from an automobile's history helps increase the car's value to the seller, but can mean increased maintenance and repair costs to the buyer.

In addition to odometer fraud, there are other significant events in an automobile's history that unscrupulous sellers may try to hide. Every state has laws designed to protect consumers from buying used cars that may not be road worthy. Consumers should be direct when asking sellers about a car's past, and they should get a detailed automobile history report.

You can use the 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) to obtain an automobile history report from either a state DMV or a private automobile history company. These companies have compiled data from multiple sources to help you get a better picture of the automobile's history.

Other potential problem that may be revealed in an automobile history report

Here are other automobile history problems that may turn up if you obtain a report:

1. Damage Disclosure, Salvage & Rebuilt Titles

   These titles are issued by states when the vehicle has sustained damage as a result of one or more incidents. States issue salvage titles when an insurance company takes possession of a vehicle as a result of a claim. This generally occurs after a vehicle has been declared a total loss. A state may issue a rebuilt title if a vehicle sustained damage and was rebuilt or reconstructed, then placed back on the road. States issue junk titles to indicate that a vehicle is not road worthy and cannot be titled again in that state.

2. Lemon Laws (Manufacturer Buyback Titles)

   "Lemons" are sometimes resold to consumers as used cars. The lemon laws were enacted to protect consumers from having to keep a new car that has recurring problems. If someone buys a new car with major problems, and the manufacturer fails to repair the defect in a certain amount of time, the manufacturer may be required to refund the consumer's money by buying the vehicle back. Unfortunately, some of the vehicles which are bought back are subsequently resold as used cars.

3. Flood Damage Title

   States issue flood titles when a vehicle has been in a flood or has received extensive water damage.

How to obtain an automobile history report:

You may be able to request an automobile history report from your local DMV office. Or, you can easily obtain one online through a reputable private company such as Experian. Their prices are very reasonable. It costs about $20 for one report or $25 for unlimited reports. Plus, you get usually get a free lemon check (a more limited version of the check).

To request the history report you will need your automobile's vehicle identification number, or VIN. It's a 17-digit number that you can usually find by looking on the left side of the dashboard towards the windshield. If it's not there, it may be on the inside of the driver's side door where it latches when closed. If it's not there, and your car was made before 1981, you may not have a VIN, and unfortunately, you may not be able to obtain an automobile history report.

Good luck!

Chris Whitten
AutomobileHistory.info Webmaster