How to View a Vehicle's History

To view a vehicles history the vehicle identification number (VIN) is required. It consists of 17 numbers and letters matched to only one vehicle. Vehicle history reports are applied to the VIN, so information such as massive accident damage, odometer tampering, high mileage counts, and how many owners the vehicle has been through is recorded.

• 1

  Locate the vehicle's identification number. It can be found on the vehicle's title, which was received shortly after buying it. It is also found on the vehicle either in the lower section below the front wind shield or on the underside of the hood. The VIN can be attained from a car dealer if the vehicle in question is being purchased.

• 2

  Enter the VIN into a Vehicle History Report site such as CARFAX or Experian. Open the website of the chosen history report site and enter the VIN into the designated field. This will bring up the basic summary information of the vehicle's history.

• 3

  Purchase an auto check package. This is not required because there is the free basic summary, but a bought package gives everything currently on the vehicle's record. Carfax and Experian both have the auto check packages available. They are good deals for car salesmen and dealerships. The package grants unlimited access for a certain time frame such as 60 days.