Vehicle History Reports

If you have never received a vehicle history report, you are giving up your right to be a more informed consumer—something that 4dmv.com will not let you do. Vehicle history reports are essential to the vehicle purchasing process, ensuring that you are safe from scams and poor choices when it comes to getting your new car. You definitely can’t afford to purchase a vehicle that isn’t going to offer the transportation you expect or have been advertised, and you never want to make the mistake of purchasing a lemon that is sure to provide nothing but problems.

Luckily, you have 4dmv.com on your side to ensure that you get right through to only the most credible sites online today, which can offer the credible vehicle history report you need to decide whether you are ready to purchase that vehicle you have had your eye on or if you need to find an alternative.

So Who Needs a Vehicle History Report?

Are you looking for the perfect replacement vehicle, or shopping the market for a new family car? No matter what type of vehicle you are interested in, why you are shopping for a new vehicle, or what price range you are shopping in, whether you are purchasing a new or used vehicle on or offline, a vehicle history report can serve as an essential tool for filtering out the vehicles that you shouldn’t purchase. These vehicles could include those that have been branded as salvage or rebuild vehicles, as well as lemons and other non-favorable vehicles.

A vehicle history report should be used by anyone that is about to purchase a used vehicle that they just aren’t sure of. Sure, the ad may say it’s a runner, but do you really know what is in the vehicle’s past? If not, you could end up finding out that you need to be a runner to get to work each day because the vehicle won’t even start anymore. Although there is a lemon law in place, there are legislations that allow sellers to get away with faulty sales by limits and terms that can be missed if you aren’t expecting something to go wrong.

Why Should Car Sellers Use a Vehicle History Report?

Typically, when you think of a vehicle history report, you may only find relevance to those purchasing a vehicle, when they can in fact aid those who are selling vehicles also. Using a vehicle history report to determine credibility is not only the buyers’ responsibility, and can be quite efficient with the help of the seller as well. With many vehicle history reports offered per the vehicle for the owner to obtain, getting one before selling a vehicle can ensure that you are getting the full value of the vehicle and are able to prove your vehicle’s integrity.

What is Included in a California Vehicle Report?

Whether you get a vehicle history report in person at the DMV or a vehicle history report online from one of the various resources, you will get a full detail of the vehicle’s history, letting you in on any secrets the seller didn’t.

1. Title Check. You will get a full title check that tells you the history of owners, a full description of the vehicle, and any brands that have been applied to the title.  You can find out whether the vehicle has been classified as a salvage vehicle, if it has been rebuilt from salvage, or whether there has been any major storm or  fire damage, which can indicate further issues within the mechanics and body.

2. Problem Check. The problem check will reveal any frame damage or issues, major rust or mold that could pose a threat to the health of the driver or indicate further damage, Lemon claims, salvage history, or any damage to the vehicle that has been reported. You will also receive a history of any major repairs that have been attempted, those that failed, and those that succeeded.

3. Odometer Check. The life of the engine depends on the miles it has driven in most cases, which if there are high miles on the engine a driver will steer away. If there has been any odometer tampering, suspect reported miles, weird fluctuations from title to title, or it has broken or exceeded state mandated limits, you will receive notification and a description of any issues.

4. Use and Event Check. This portion of the used car history will detail any uses  for the vehicle in the past that could indicate rough usage or improper use, such as police vehicles, those that were used in derbies, fleet cars, taxi cabs, and others.

How to Get a Vehicle History Report in California

The California DMV now offers an online title check through the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System found at www.vehiclehistory.gov or www.nmvtis.gov, in order to get a full title history and used car history needed for determining whether the vehicle is a good buy or not. In order to get the history report, you will follow the following steps.

1. Enter the site and click on the link “Research Vehicle History”.

2. Complete the web form and submit.

3. You will be provided with an instant vehicle history on the vehicle you are thinking of purchasing, which will include title history, odometer check, use history, and any salvage classification of the vehicle.

There are other NMVTIS data providers that are suggested for use of obtaining a California vehicle history report.

Auto Data Direct Inc.

CARCO Group, Inc.

MOBILETRAC

DMVdesk

Owners of the vehicle can obtain a vehicle history report from the DMV in order to provide to those purchasing or thinking of purchasing the vehicle that may or may not have requested the report. It is a good selling practice to offer such information, however, as it gives the buyer a good idea of the vehicle’s condition and what history is associated with it. As a seller, you can also access a vehicle history report for any vehicle you are interested in buying at Carfax.com, provided you have the VIN for the vehicle. If you are purchasing a used vehicle from a dealership, you have the right to request the vehicle history report before deciding on the purchase, which most licensed state dealers are going to honor your request.

While you shouldn’t fully depend on a vehicle history report to determine the value of the vehicle, it can be a pretty good indicator of things to come and how well you can expect the vehicle to perform. You may find that the seller has put a great deal of money into the vehicle, allowing it to increase in value and performance, but you should always access the used car history of a vehicle before making your ultimate decision.