What a Vehicle History Report Tells You

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A Vehicle History Report contains a good deal of information on a car. Based on the unique Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the auto, it can tell you about all previous owners, the odometer reading, as well as tell you if the car has any open recalls, has been in any accidents and has had any major repairs. It tells you if the car has always been properly serviced and maintained, and lets you know if the Title is free and clear or if it has any encumbrances.
 
For all these reasons and more, it is important to get a Vehicle History Report anytime you are considering purchasing a car. At Lithia Motors, we always provide you with a free report on the car you are thinking about buying. By the same token, if you are selling or trading your vehicle, you can bet a Vehicle History Report will be pulled by the dealership that is considering your trade-in. So, what does your car's report say about your trade-in?

Your Vehicle's Past

A Vehicle History Report starts the moment a new car is manufactured and shipped to a dealership. It tells you the car's VIN number, its trim level, motor size, color, and other details from the vehicle manufacturer.. Once the vehicle has arrived at the car dealership, it tells you how the car was prepped, serviced, and prepared for sale.
 
The report tells you when the car was first sold and then follows its history including all oil changes and other routine maintenance, letting you know if any parts were replaced over the vehicle's life. Obviously, a clean Vehicle History Report makes it easier to sell the car and get top value for it. If the vehicle has had more than one owner, the report will track that as well, telling you where the car has lived, which dealership has serviced it, even detailing any road accidents, any damages to the car, and when it was repaired.
As the vehicle ages, its odometer reading is mentioned at every service, recall, or accident repair, as well as when it has changed hands. Any recall notices for the vehicle are listed as well. The car's motor vehicle Title information is listed as well to let buyers know if there are any liens held against the vehicle.
 
Here's a little more detailed information about all these areas that the report covers:
Previous Owners
This info helps you know more about the car's past and how it was used. For instance, you can discover if the car was used for personal use or for a business. Did it experience added wear and tear in being used as a rental car, Uber, or taxi?
 
The report also tracks how many owners the car has had, where it was driven, and how many miles each owner put on the car.
Accident History
The Vehicle History Report helps you know if the car is safe to drive by telling you if it has ever been in an accident or sustained any damage due to flood, fire, or other catastrophes.
 
After all, the car might look great in the online photos, but the report reveals information to give you peace of mind that it was well cared for, so you know you are not buying a lemon.
Service History
Anyone considering buying your car will want to know its service history and if the vehicle ever had any recall notices. The service history tells you if the owner had the vehicle serviced and properly maintained throughout its life, listing the date it was serviced and what work was done.
 
It also reports on any open recalls on the vehicle. Manufacturers recall millions of vehicles every year. The report lets you know if the vehicle has been recalled for any reason. Detailed information can also be had through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website.
Odometer Readings
Every time the vehicle has been in for service or changed hands, it is reported and so is the car's odometer reading. By following along in the vehicle's history, you can see when and where services were performed and how many miles were on the car every step of the way.
Title History
If you have owned your car since it was new, your vehicle's Title history will be kind of boring on the report. But, if the car has had multiple owners or has been through any salvage or Title branding, the report will show it.
 
A salvage Title tells you that the car was declared a total loss during its lifetime after being involved in a theft or road accident. Such vehicles often have hidden problems that might cause problems down the road such as a bent frame or suspension problems. The Title info also lets you make sure that the seller is the actual owner.
 
Lastly, the Title information lets potential buyers know if there are any liens against the car such as if the seller still owes money on the vehicle. That's important to know because creditors might have the right to repossess the car if the loan isn't paid in full.

Where to get a Vehicle History Report

As mentioned earlier, all Lithia Motors we provide a free Vehicle History Report on any car, truck, or SUV that is for sale at out hundreds of dealerships across the country. If you are looking at a vehicle outside of our network, you can obtain a report through such companies as Carfax and AutoCheck. All you need is the vehicle's 17-digit VIN number. You can also use the National Insurance Crime Bureau's free database.
History-Based Value
Note that every Carfax Vehicle History Report includes something called the History-Based Value of the car right at the top of the report. CarFax considers over 20 factors in every report, and unlike many other websites that offer vehicle reports, the CarFax History-Based Value looks into service records, open recalls, past accidents and more to determine the trade-in or retail value of your car.