When we buy a car, it is possible we do not get all the information about the vehicle. After all, we usually purchase a car based on its appearance, performance on a test drive, and affordability. If the purchase is from an individual, you may not be sure that the person is giving you accurate information about the car, such as its age or previous history. Further, car years are confusing because new car models are released during the previous year, sometimes as early at July. All of this makes it difficult to be sure what vehicle you are buying, especially with an older model. Fortunately, there are ways to check this information easily.
When you purchase a vehicle, much of the information you receive depends on the situation of the purchase and your financing needs. If you borrow money for your car purchase, it is much more likely you will receive accurate information, as banks and loan companies are required to report very detailed information about the cars they are financing. As an individual cash buyer, you may not receive this same information if you do not request it. However, you can use the same techniques the banks use to find out the information on a used car, and check this information easily online.
Banks rely on the VIN, or Vehicle Identification Number, to verify the identity, history, and age of a vehicle. The VIN is a 17-character number that has been used since 1981 to uniquely identify a car and give a great deal of information about the individual vehicle. The VIN consists of 17 numbers and letters, excluding O, which can be confused with zero, I, which can be confused with one, and Q, which can be confused with zero by European or Canadian buyers.
The VIN is usually located on the steering column, dashboard, driver’s door interior panel, or possibly in the engine compartment. It is usually on a small strip of metal to prevent destruction, or can be etched into some material on the car. The VIN will also be on your loan papers if you financed the car. You should ask for a VIN from an individual if you purchase a car, and write it down carefully.
Once you have the VIN, finding out all types of information on your car, including its age, is easy. There are several sites on the internet that offer this service, and one is Carfax. Carfax will run a complete vehicle history report once you input the VIN, giving you information not only on the make, model, and age of your car, but also any accidents the car may have been involved in, its repair and recall history, and other important facts. www.Edmunds.com is another site that also performs VIN checks. Most sites will require a fee for this service, although some claim to offer it for free; however, be careful of sites that offer a free VIN check while asking you to sign up for paying services.
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