If you’re shopping for a used vehicle, you should seriously consider getting a detailed vehicle history report before you make your purchase decision. This is especially important if you are car shopping through individual sellers rather than at a dealership.
Even though credible reports like Carfax and AutoCheck cost some money to run, the investment is well worth it to make sure you don’t end up with a lemon.
Here’s what a vehicle history report can tell you about that used vehicle you’re thinking of purchasing:
- Vehicle Damage – While it’s definitely advised to have a professional mechanic look at any car you’re considering, there’s only so much you can tell just by looking at it. The vehicle history report will give you details on accidents the vehicle has been in (if any) and what type of damage was done.
- Mileage Verification – Sometimes untrustworthy sellers will roll the odometer back on cars before they sell them to increase the value. A vehicle history report will give you a list of odometer readings that can reveal if it was ever tampered with.
- Ownership History – Knowing how many owners the vehicle has been through and what areas of the country it’s been driven in can give you a better idea of the projected longevity of the car. A vehicle history report will tell you this in addition to how long each owner had the vehicle.
