Introduction
Buying a used car can be overwhelming for the average vehicle user. The problem with buying a used or second-hand car is that you won’t know the condition of the vehicle before payment unless you go for an inspection with a licensed mechanic. Sometimes, the mechanic may not see every detail of the vehicle at the point of inspection. The only way to know the true condition of a used vehicle, as well as its maintenance history is through a VIN check.
Every vehicle has its own number, appropriately called a Vehicle Identification Number: VIN. Decoding that number can tell you a lot including the car’s registrations by state, type of title and whether anyone’s made an insurance claim on the vehicle following an accident.
Ahead, you will learn what the VIN number is and how to check your VIN number for free.
What is a VIN Number?
A vehicle identification number (VIN) is a 17-digit, consisting of numbers and characters, that an automobile manufacturer assigns to an individual vehicle. Vehicle identification numbers can reveal many things about automobiles, including their airbag type, country of origin, engine size, model year, vehicle type, trim level, and plant name.
The VIN is the key to safety. Just enter a VIN in the free search tool to see whether a vehicle is subject to a recall. Typically, the vehicle identification number is stamped into a plate that’s mounted on the dashboard near the windshield or the driver-side door jamb. It’s also stamped on the engine’s firewall.
VinPit: Check Your VIN Number For Free
VinPit is a reliable platform to check VIN numbers, especially for pre-owned vehicles. It works by scanning the vehicle for illegal activity and provides standard car model data by using the Autotrader system. VinPit works with trusted partners such as car suppliers, retailers, and importers, as well as warranty providers, insurance, and leasing. Because of this, it has a large archive of documents on automotive history.
When you enter a VIN number, it accesses the basic facts, real mileage, stolen/theft records, and recalls of the vehicle. The report from VinPit generally involves data about the vehicle: its engine, type of fuel and fuel consumption, etc. It also tells you about the size of the car and gross car weight.
The benefit of Using VinPit To Check Your VIN Number
Vehicle history
The comprehensive report you will get from VinPit includes the history of damages, odometer readings, prices, vehicle usage, and information about technical inspections. With this information, you can easily spot a damaged vehicle with ease.
Stolen or damaged vehicles database
VinPit will also help you unveil stolen or damaged vehicles’ databases with a single click. For instance, if a seller or dealer wants to sell a damaged or stolen vehicle, with a VIN check on VinPit, you will know the details of the vehicle.
Manufacturer Recalls
VIN check with VinPit will show you the particular problem that the vehicle might have faced. If the recall has been reported, VinPit will show the issue and what potential fixes should be run in an authorized service.
Vehicle equipment
The system provides a full list of the original equipment of the vehicle. This feature is useful in situations when some original car parts were replaced by cheaper parts. For example, if a car has previously had an accident, you can compare whether the headlights were replaced by original ones or taken from another vehicle. This feature also includes other parts of the vehicle, such as chassis, A/C, navigation or audio system, mirrors, windows, airbags, radio, etc.
How To Check a VIN Number for Free On VinPit
Here is a step-by-step process of how to use VinPit for VIN lookup:
- Locate your VIN number by looking through the windshield from outside the car. You may also find the VIN number on the driver’s side door pillar.
- Visit the VinPit official website
- Enter the VIN number in the space provided and click on the search bar. After some seconds, you will get a comprehensive report of the vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I check a VIN number?
The best way to see it is to look through the windshield from outside the car. You may also find the VIN number on the driver’s side door pillar. Open the door and look around the area where the door latches to the car.
How can I check my car service history for free?
Checking the service history of your car for free is simple and straightforward. All you have to do is visit a VIN decoder official web page, and by providing a valid VIN number of your vehicle you can get the information within a few seconds for free.
Should you buy a car without a service history?
Buying a used car without a full-service history can save you money. However, it also means you won’t know whether the car has been properly maintained, and your car will be less desirable, so could be worthless, when you sell it in the future.
Is the VIN check report usually accurate?
Absolutely, the report is usually accurate, except you are using an unreliable VIN decoder. But if you use a reliable VIN check service like VinPit, you have nothing to worry about. The report from VinPit is 100% accurate.
Can I share my VIN Number?
It’s okay to share your VIN with someone else, especially if you’re selling it. Doing this won’t harm you; plus, buyers may find you untrustworthy if you refuse to share your VIN.
Conclusion
You can now see the essence of checking your VIN number before making a buying decision. You can use VinPit to retrieve important details about your vehicle. VinPit is also registered with the appropriate authorities. The registration status means that you’re protected against any form of legal sanctions when using VinPit.
VIN check with VinPit will show you the particular problem that a used vehicle might have faced. If the recall has been reported, VinPit will show the issue and what potential fixes should be run in an authorized service.