How Do I Check a VIN Number for Free?

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Vehicles have a unique identifier known as Vehicle Identification Number. A VIN search can reveal details such as a vehicle registration by state and type of title. Also, you get to know if somebody made an insurance claim on the vehicle. 

Today, there are VIN decoders that give you detailed history reports about a vehicle. The VIN decoder will notify you if the vehicle you are looking at has been listed in a stolen vehicle database. 

For used car shoppers, a VIN check is imperative to know if it has a salvage or branded title. It is the only way to know if the vehicle has been totaled by an insurance company. Read on to find how you can do a VIN check for free. 

What is VIN?

VIN is a unique 17 character alpha/numeric serial number on each vehicle. Each character in a VIN can be decoded to establish where the vehicle was built, which year, and automotive features among others. 

How to do a Jeep VIN check

VIN Number for FreeDoing is a Jeep VIN lookup with VinPit is easy and straightforward. Below are the simple steps involved: 

Step 1: Locate the Jeep VIN. You can find it on the dashboard on the driver’s side where the windshield meets the dashboard. Also, the VIN is on the driver’s side door pillar where the door latches. 

Step 2: Next, visit the VinPit website and enter the VIN in the search bar and click the search button. Give the system a few seconds as it collects all the details about the Jeep you wish to get its report. 

Step 3: VinPit will provide you with a comprehensive report about the vehicle. The report will contain everything about the history of the vehicle 

Decoding a VIN

As already noted, each character in a VIN has its purpose. Below is a quick look at all the characters and what they represent. 

  • 1st character – shows the country of manufacture 
  • 2nd character – indicates the name of the manufacturer
  • 3rd character – represents vehicle type or division
  • 4th to 8th characters – show the attributes of the vehicle like a model, engine size, etc
  • 9th character – represents the security code approved by the manufacturer 
  • 10th character – shows the model year
  • 11th character – indicates the assembly plant 
  • 12th to 17th character – represents the vehicle serial number

Information you get in a vehicle history report 

Thanks to better record-keeping and the internet, you can do a free VIN check online. As such, you get to know if you are looking at lemon or not. Below are the details you get from doing a VIN check. 

1. Vehicle damage 

You can only tell so much about how well a vehicle has been taken care of by looking at it. Unfortunately, you can trust an individual to provide you with the complete history of the vehicle. 

For this, you need a vehicle history report that provides details about accidents and damage to the car. Also, you get to know the professional maintenance carried out on the vehicle. 

2. Mileage verification 

Another important detail to watch out for is the mileage especially if it seems to be too good to be true. Although it is illegal to tamper with a vehicle’s odometer reading, sometimes sellers roll it back. 

Usually, vehicle mileage is recorded whenever it is registered and goes for maintenance. So, a look at the mileage list on the vehicle history report you can know if the odometer has been tampered with. 

3. Ownership history 

A VIN check and the report you get provides you details about how many owners a vehicle has had. It also lets you how long each owner has had the vehicle. 

There are various variables and unknowns when considering purchasing a used vehicle. So, it is in your best interest to do a VIN check. 

4. Protect yourself from title cleansing 

Various states have different rules for licensing salvaged or rebuilt vehicles. In some cases, unscrupulous vehicle dealers move vehicles with a salvage title to states with favorable registration laws. 

Once a new title is issued without branding, then the title is considered to be cleansed. So, without a vehicle history report, you have no way of distinguishing between salvaged vehicles and vehicles with clean histories. 

5. Liens 

Once a person takes a loan against the title of the vehicle, it can be a problem for future buyers. Often the lender owns the title and without running a VIN check, the buyer will not know. 

Unless rectified, the situation allows the titleholder to demand payment for the remaining debt or repossess the vehicle. 

6. Establish any open recalls 

A comprehensive vehicle history report shows what recalls were issued by the vehicle manufacturer and if the recall was repaired. Failing to adhere to the recall may endanger you and your family. 

Unfortunately, not all vehicle owners pay attention to recall alerts. Besides, the notifications may be misdirected as cars change owners. Luckily online VIN decoders will capture recalls and show if they were resolved or not. 

Conclusion 

Getting a vehicle history report using VIN is increasingly becoming a necessity to making informed decisions. Thanks to reputable online VIN decoders, you have the best way of establishing the history of a vehicle. 

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