Glossary

Vehicle history report

A record compiled from a vehicle identification number showing a used car's title brands, reported accidents, odometer readings and ownership history.

Also called: VIN check, vehicle history check, car history report

A vehicle history report pulls together records tied to a car's vehicle identification number (VIN): title brands such as salvage, rebuilt or flood; reported accidents and insurance total losses; odometer readings; number of owners and the states where it was registered; and sometimes service and recall records. Commercial providers such as Carfax and AutoCheck sell them, and many dealers provide one free.

Reports are built from motor vehicle agencies, insurers, police reports, repair shops and auctions, so they show only what was reported. A crash paid for out of pocket and fixed at an independent shop may never appear. The federal National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) collects title brand and total-loss data from states, insurers and salvage yards, and approved providers sell lower-cost NMVTIS reports. The National Insurance Crime Bureau's free VINCheck flags cars that participating insurers have reported stolen and not recovered, or as salvage.

Use a report as a screen, not a guarantee. Example: a three-year-old SUV at an unusually low price shows a new title issued in a second state soon after a hurricane, a pattern that can signal flood damage and "title washing" (hypothetical). Pair the report with an inspection by an independent mechanic. A past salvage title or major accident lowers a car's value and can limit coverage options. See Run a VIN check before you buy a used car.

Last reviewed October 4, 2026

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Related terms

Vehicle identification number (VIN) The unique 17-character code assigned to every modern car, used by insurers, motor vehicle agencies and history reports to identify the exact vehicle. Salvage title A branded vehicle title issued after a car is declared a total loss, warning future buyers of serious damage; it must be rebuilt to drive legally. Total loss A car so badly damaged that repairs would cost more than it is worth, or more than a state threshold, so the insurer pays its value instead. National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) A nonprofit funded by member insurers that investigates insurance fraud and vehicle theft, works with police and runs the free VINCheck lookup. Diminished value The resale value a car loses after a crash, even when fully repaired, because buyers pay less for a car with an accident history.

Related guides

Diminished value claims Why a repaired car can be worth less after a crash, when you can claim that loss from the at-fault driver's insurer, and how to document the claim. Insuring a used car How to insure a used car from a dealer or private seller, the history checks to run first, and which coverages still make sense on an older car. How to protect yourself from insurance scams A practical checklist for avoiding car insurance scams when you buy a policy, pay for it, get calls about it, have a crash, or buy a used car. Salvage and rebuilt titles explained What salvage, rebuilt and nonrepairable title brands mean, the inspections needed to drive a rebuilt car, and how a brand affects insurance and resale. Run a VIN check before you buy a used car How to check a used car's VIN with NICB VINCheck, an NMVTIS report and NHTSA recalls, what each shows, and the signs of a cloned or flood car.