VIN check · US & Canada vehicle history
Check any VIN.
Know the car’s real story.
Title brands, accidents, total loss, odometer readings, owners and service records in one VinCode report, with a VinCode Score that sums up the risk.
- Free VIN check
- Full report from $6
- No subscription
Records reported by US and Canadian sources
- State DMVs
- Insurance companies
- Auto auctions
- Police reports
- Service shops
- Dealers
What a VinCode report checks
Every red flag a used-car buyer should see
We search the VIN across title, insurance, auction, police and service records, then check each one against eleven problem categories.
Title brands
Salvage, junk, rebuilt, flood, fire, hail, lemon and dismantled brands from state motor vehicle agencies.
Accidents & damage
Reported collisions and damage events with dates, locations and what was recorded.
Total loss & salvage
Insurance total-loss declarations, salvage auctions and insurer-owned titles.
Odometer check
Every reported reading on a chart. We flag mileage that goes backwards and odometer brands.
Owners & usage
Estimated owners, how long each kept the car, where it was registered and personal or commercial use.
Service records
Maintenance and repairs reported by dealers and service shops, with mileage at each visit.
Theft records
Reported theft events tied to the VIN.
Recalls & campaigns
Manufacturer recalls and service campaigns reported for the vehicle.
Loans & liens
Lien and loan records reported with title events, so you know what to ask the seller.
The VinCode Score
One number for the whole history
Every report starts at 100. We deduct points for branded titles, total losses, accidents, odometer problems, theft, structural damage and heavy commercial use, and show you exactly why.
- AExcellent85–100
- BGood70–84
- CFair50–69
- DPoor30–49
- EHigh riskBelow 30
Sample: 2020 Hyundai Elantra SE
E · High risk
Serious problems reported
- Branded title: Dismantled, Junk-40
- Odometer or mileage problem-20
- Total loss reported-20
How it works
From VIN to report in three steps
- 01
Enter the VIN
Type the 17-character VIN from the dashboard, door jamb, title or listing. The check is free.
- 02
See what we found
We decode the vehicle and tell you how many history records are available before you pay.
- 03
Open your report
Pay $9.99 by card and your VinCode report opens on screen right after payment. Save it as a PDF to share with a mechanic.
Simple pricing
Check one car, or compare a few
No subscription and no hidden fees. The VIN check is free, and you only pay when records are available. Packs never expire: use the extra reports on any VIN later.
- Title brand check
- Accidents & damage
- Total loss & salvage
- Odometer chart
- Owners & usage
- Service history
- Theft & lien records
- VinCode Score
- Printable PDF
Free tools
Check a car before you pay anything
VIN decoder
Make, model, year, engine and plant from any 17-character VIN.
VIN check by state
Title brands and VIN verification rules for your state.
NICB theft check
How to use the free NICB VINCheck and what it misses.
CARFAX alternative
What any history report should cover, and your options.
Popular: Ford VIN decoder · Chevrolet VIN decoder · Toyota VIN decoder · BMW VIN decoder · Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder · GM VIN decoder · Honda VIN decoder · Porsche VIN decoder
Buyer guides
Before you buy a used car
How to compare vehicle history reports before you pay
A checklist for comparing vehicle history reports: records covered, sample reports, total cost and delivery, plus how to spot gaps in any report.
Free VIN check: a used-car screening checklist
Use free VIN checks to screen a used car, understand recall and theft-record limits, and decide whether you need a paid vehicle history report or inspection.
How much does a CARFAX report cost?
Learn how to compare current CARFAX report prices, bundles, seller-provided reports, and the $9.99 VinCode report without relying on outdated price claims.
How to get a free CARFAX report: legitimate options
Look for dealer- or seller-provided CARFAX reports, match the VIN and report date, and understand why free VIN tools are different from a full CARFAX report.
Is a CARFAX report free?
CARFAX reports can be free to shoppers through a seller or dealer. Understand paid direct access, free VIN tools, and how to check a report before buying.
How to get a CARFAX report by VIN
Find the VIN, check for a seller-provided report, compare paid options, and review report availability before ordering vehicle history information online.
FAQ
Questions about VIN checks
What is a VIN check?
A VIN check looks up the 17-character Vehicle Identification Number. The free VinCode check decodes the vehicle and tells you whether history records exist. The full VinCode report then lists title brands, accidents, damage, total-loss events, odometer readings, owners and service records reported for that VIN.
How much does a VinCode report cost?
One full VinCode report costs $9.99, 3 reports cost $19.99 and 5 reports cost $29.99. There is no subscription. You only pay after the free check confirms that records are available for your VIN.
Where does the data come from?
VinCode reports are compiled from records reported by state motor vehicle agencies, insurance companies, auto auctions, police reports, dealers and service shops in the US and Canada.
What is the VinCode Score?
It is a 0–100 rating calculated by VinCode from the records in your report. It starts at 100 and deducts points for problems such as branded titles, total losses, accidents and odometer issues. The report shows every deduction.
How quickly will I get my report?
The report opens on screen right after payment. You can save or print it as a PDF. If anything goes wrong, contact support with your order details.
Does a clean report mean the car has no problems?
No. Not every accident, repair or title event is reported. Use the report together with an independent pre-purchase inspection and a test drive.
Where do I find the VIN?
Look at the lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side, the driver’s door jamb sticker, the title or registration, or the insurance card. VINs never contain the letters I, O or Q.