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How to check a car by VIN before buying

The VIN is the car’s ID. It tells you what the car really is, whether it is reported stolen and whether its history matches what the seller says.

4 min read

Step 1. Match the VIN in three places

Copy the VIN from the windscreen, the driver-side door pillar and the paperwork. All three must match character for character. Walk away if a plate looks re-stamped, scratched or glued on.

Step 2. Decode the VIN

Decoding shows the make, model, year and country of origin. If the listing claims something different, ask the seller directly. You can also verify the check digit — a wrong sum means a typo or a forgery.

Step 3. Check wanted status and registrations

See whether the car is in the wanted-vehicle database and review the registration history: how many changes, gaps and sudden region changes. Many owners in a short time is a warning sign.

Step 4. Look at recalls and auction history

Recalls are safety defects the manufacturer fixes for free. For imported cars it also helps to know whether the car was sold at auction after a crash: auction photos and damage notes show it.

What next

A VIN check does not replace an inspection: afterwards get a diagnostic scan and measure the paint thickness. If something doesn’t add up, ask the seller to explain and don’t rush a deposit.

Check a car now

Enter a VIN or plate — wanted-vehicle check, registration history, recalls and a risk score, free.

VIN decoder — What each character means: manufacturer, year, check digit, serial number.

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