When you’re in the market for a used car, you can avoid any unwelcome surprises by running a vehicle identification number (VIN) check with a car history report. It can tell you if there’s money owed on it, whether it’s been stolen or if it’s ever been in a serious accident. Here’s how to run a VIN check in Canada.
A vehicle identification number (VIN) is a car’s unique, 17-digit identifier. Running a VIN check on a car provides you with the basic DNA of the vehicle such as:
A VIN is also used for tracking a car’s warranty and insurance claims, recalls, and registrations. A vehicle history report includes all the information from a VIN check but with more details including:
Running a basic VIN check can help you avoid fraud by making sure the car you’re looking to buy is what the seller says it is. Getting a car’s history report can help you stay away from potential mechanical problems and avoid major issues like liens.
Most sites offer a basic VIN check for free and can check a car’s history report by running it’s VIN through a database of vehicle information. If you’re heavily considering buying a car and the seller has nothing to hide, they may just go ahead and front the cost of the report in order to make the sale.
Here’s where you can get a free VIN check plus have the option of purchasing a vehicle history report for the car you’re looking to buy:
| Cost | Best for… | How it works | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carfax | $57.95 (gives you a report and lien check for 1 vehicle) | Vehicles with a hard-to-find history | Carfax has a database of over 17 billion history reports offering details on everything from sales history, previous owners, maintenance records and more. |
| Insurance Bureau of Canada | Free (VIN check only) | To see if a vehicle was salvaged or rebuilt due to disaster | The IBC uses their VIN Verify service to protect consumers from fraudsters looking to sell fire or flood damaged vehicles for profit. |
| VinAudit Canada | $14.95 (for 1 vehicle) | Easily verifying the vehicle is what the seller says it is | VinAudit’s report includes sections about the vehicle’s specifications, registration records, title status, recall and buyback records, plus theft and salvage auction records. |
| Transport Canada | Free (recall information only) | Checking for a car’s recall history | Transport Canada offers a free tool to look up a vehicle by its VIN to see if it’s been recalled by its manufacturer. |
| Used car dealership | Free | Checking your car’s history cheaply and conveniently | Reputable used car dealerships should be able to provide a free vehicle history report on the vehicle you are looking to buy. |
*Prices and information current as of February, 2021.
A VIN check can help you avoid scams and ensure your vehicle is in good shape. It’s useful any time you buy a used car, especially if you’re dealing with a private seller. Otherwise, you could end up paying more than your vehicle is worth — and potentially dealing with problems caused by previous damage or poor maintenance.
If a car you’re interested in doesn’t have a vehicle history, you don’t have to write it off completely. Instead, bring it to a mechanic you trust and have them give the car a top-to-bottom inspection. If you’re having trouble running a VIN check for a vehicle that does have a VIN, try asking your auto insurance company to run the VIN check for you – often, this will get you the information you want.
Some things should be considered a deal-breaker — or at least warrant an enormous price reduction. Look out for these red flags when buying a used car:
Click here to be taken to the Canadian Police Information Centre where you can run a free search on any vehicle in order to see if it has been reported stolen. Simply enter the VIN number, read the terms and conditions, agree to them and then click to begin the search. If you get a positive result, contact your local police immediately, and do not proceed with the sale
Looking at a used car’s vehicle history report can give you an idea of the condition its in and current value. Doing your research along with following a used car buying checklist can help ensure you get the most bang for your buck. And when you’re ready to buy, compare your used car loan options to find the best deal available to you.
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