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7 Best Platforms for a Free VIN Check

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Written by: Kate Starr
Last Updated:

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7 Websites Offering a Free VIN Check

EpicVIN


EpicVIN Summary

  • Easy to request reports
  • Affordable pricing starting at $14.99
  • Includes most relevant information
  • Offers free services

EpicVIN is a leading provider of free VIN check that offers a comprehensive view of a vehicle’s past. Its platform is powered by a vast database of information from various sources, including the DMV, insurance companies, and auctions. This information is compiled into a detailed report that includes vital information about a vehicle’s history, such as accident reports, title information, ownership history, and more.

Reports are highly reliable and accurate, enabling car buyers and sellers to make informed decisions about the vehicles they are considering purchasing or selling. The user-friendly interface of the platform makes it easy for users to access and understand the information contained in their reports.

Whether you’re a private buyer or a dealership, EpicVIN’s reports can help you make informed decisions about the vehicles you’re considering. With EpicVIN, you can have peace of mind knowing that you have access to all the important information about a vehicle’s past.

Bumper


Bumper Summary

  • Check your car’s value with 99% certainty
  • A single report or monthly membership
  • Easy-to-use mobile app
  • Rewards and promos for members

Bumper offers a detailed vehicle report that includes information about the car’s history, title information, and accident reports. This can be especially helpful if you’re selling your car, as having this information can help you get the best price for your vehicle. 

While it’s technically not free to get a VIN report from Bumper, it offers a 7-day trial for $1, allowing you to get a report at just $1. If you want to extend your membership, a 1-month membership will cost you $19.99, which includes 50 reports. 

Bumper’s comprehensive reports can provide you with the information you need to make a sound decision when buying or selling a car.

ClearVin


ClearVin Summary

  • Affordable pricing
  • Report contains car photos
  • Free tools-recalls lookup and VIN decoder
  • Has a 100% money-back guarantee

ClearVin is a great option for those looking for affordable and comprehensive vehicle reports. The reports include information that other services don’t provide, such as lien and impound history, auction sales information, and Window Sticker Lookup. ClearVin is also a good choice for title processors, towing companies, and automotive dealers.

The price of a ClearVin report is $14.99 for a single report, $7.33 for a 3-pack, and $5.80 for a 5-pack. You can also get a free sample report to see if the data is what you’re looking for.

NICB


The NICB (National Insurance Crime Bureau) is one of the best places to obtain a free VIN check. This platform can help you to check a vehicle history and is very easy to use. 

When you enter a VIN number and agree to the terms, you’ll need to enter a verification code before you’ll see the results of your VIN search.

This record will detail the theft and total loss records for the vehicle. This will show if the car has been stolen at some point in its history or if there was damage from an accident, flood or fire. 

Vehicle History


If you want a more detailed free vehicle history report, Vehicle History is a good option. This site offers far more information about the vehicle according to its VIN. This includes:

  • Selling history
  • Any current recall information
  • Detail list of manufacturer warranties expiration
  • Price predictions for the best time to purchase the particular make and model
  • Fuel economy 
  • Price analysis for costs to own.

Once you enter the VIN number into the Vehicle History site, just click “Research” and you can then view the report for your vehicle. 

ISeeCars


iSeeCars is another site offering more than a free vehicle history report. This site uses 200 data points to generate a comprehensive free car report. This includes:

  • Price history
  • Depreciation projections
  • Price analysis
  • The best times to buy or sell.

The site is easy to use. All you need to do is enter the VIN into the top of the page and click the “Analyze” button. 

CarFax


CARFAX Summary

  • Dealerships compete for your car
  • Free tool to accurate price your car
  • Receive accurate offers within 3 days
  • Carfax connects you directly with dealerships

CarFax is an industry leading resource for consumer vehicle information. You can use this platform to check car service history online for free. In fact, many car dealers will use CarFax to generate reports for the vehicles on the lot to show to potential buyers. 

Although the most comprehensive reports do incur a fee, CarFax does offer basic VIN reporting for the used cars on its website free of charge. These free reports show owner history, service history, accidents and usage information. 

What is a VIN?


A free VIN check is more than a license plate search. A VIN is a 17 digit unique code that is assigned to each new vehicle sold in the US. This system began in the 1950s and it allows you to decode when and where the vehicle was manufactured, along with information about the engine size, safety equipment and other details. 

A VIN is a unique code assigned to each new vehicle

Like a Social Security number for a person a VIN can also indicate the history and events of the vehicle during its lifespan. It can indicate past collisions or damage, if it has been stolen or if there are any recalls that need attention. You can also discover previous registrations for the vehicle. So, you can assess whether it has spent time where there may have been regular exposure to road salt and therefore have potential corrosion damage. 

This is why it is important to answer the question, where can I check a VIN for free?

Why Should I Check the VIN Number When Buying a Car?


If you’re planning on buying a car, it is crucial to at least run a free VIN check, so you can understand the vehicle’s history. 

A free VIN check DMV report will help you to check the basic history of the vehicle including previous claims or accidents. The car report will also show that the car is legally available for purchase and roadworthy. 

While reputable dealerships will often provide a copy of the VIN report for a vehicle, if you’re purchasing from a private seller or a dealership that doesn’t offer a report, you will need to run your own VIN check. 

In many cases, a free VIN check will be sufficient, but in some instances, you may need to purchase a more comprehensive report before you proceed with the sale. 

best car buying app

Should You Pay for a VIN Check?


Generally, it is a good idea to buy a comprehensive VIN report if you are buying a vehicle from a private seller or the dealership does not provide a copy. Since VIN reports are quite inexpensive, it is worth being wholly confident that the vehicle is legit and what you are expecting. 

A vehicle can be a very costly purchase, so it is crucial that you understand the overall condition of the vehicle. A comprehensive VIN report can provide information about recalls, servicing, repairs and an evaluation of the condition of the vehicle. This will ensure that you are paying a fair price for the vehicle. 

However, if you’re buying a brand new car, it is unlikely that you will need a comprehensive report. Since a new car will not have any accident or ownership records, you won’t learn much more than a basic free VIN check. However, even if you’re using a car buying platform, it may be a good idea to delve into the vehicle history.

free car report
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Kate Starr

Dollarbreak

About the author:

Kate Starr is a personal finance, FinTech and MarTech writer. Her areas of expertise include making money, investing, and money management.

From earning money as a beginner entrepreneur to advanced investing in the stock market, Kate’s guides can help you to get more ideas on how to earn income online and increase your wealth.

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