Experts have urged consumers to, before shopping for used cars, learn how to use vehicle history reports to learn everything they need to learn in order to make a better decision concerning the vehicle they are about to purchase.

Before the Internet, consumers were only able to learn more about the vehicle’s condition by checking the owner’s file of service records, which could be a difficult task since not all details concerning particularities and repairs made into the final records. Now, the vehicle identification number or VIN of any car can be used in the search of detailed history concerning any vehicle you’re interested in purchasing, all thanks to the Internet.

Consumers are capable of checking information provided by companies such as Carfax and AutoCheck, and learning ore about the vehicle by browsing through its history reports. Consumers can also find more companies that provide similar services at the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System website. The agency is run by the federal Department of Justice and it offers detailed information concerning all the data that junk yards, auto recyclers, insurance carriers and salvage yards are required under law to provide.

Consumers with a list of detailed repair history are fully aware of issues such as open recalls or major accidents and are better able to make well-informed decisions when it comes to shopping for a used car. A series of databases are usually used to have details drawn and provided to consumers that use these companies in order to learn more about the car they are interested in buying. Most reports show if the vehicle in question has a “branded” title, which means the car was given a salvage title due to an accident that caused it to be a total loss. Insurance companies may also brand a car as a total loss when the vehicle sustained flood damage or was involved in different catastrophic events. Reports also indicate whether the vehicle has been registered in other states and the number of previous owners. Details concerning recalls, open recalls, repairs and lemon information can also be found in most reports.

Companies may also offer additional details concerning model details and how they rate in comparison to other similar vehicles. Services like Carfax also offer details on the vehicle’s service department records. Keeping an eye out for mileage information could also ensure you’re not purchasing a vehicle that has made a quick trip to a “spinner” in order to have the vehicle’s odometers turned back, which is profitable for some unethical salespeople.

Most reports contain detailed information concerning mileage verification, which is recorded by mechanics every time a smog check is performed. Experts say that digital odometers are easier to roll back than mechanical ones, making newer models easier to have falsified odometer readings than older ones.

Some say that Carfax and AutoCheck are always good about verifying vehicles with salvage titles, which is a piece of information most consumers should make sure to verify before buying a used car.

Vehicle history reports let consumers know when the vehicles they are looking for have hidden problems and when these problems can also pose a serious risk to them. Running the information through a company that has detailed information concerning these vehicles before making up your mind could be a time and a lifesaver.

If you would like to learn more about how to use a vehicle history report, click here for the full article.