Can anyone Recommend a site for vin checks

[deelam]

anyone know any free or cheap but reliable sites to do a vin check. I can do it myself if anyone

 

[Ranger111]

There are some ways to do it for free, none of them really ethical -- at least that I know of. I could do if for you, but I won't. Spend the money. Edmonds or CarFax.

Well, there is a way that is I guess ethical -- find a used car dealer in your town. One of the more downtrodden ones that offer CarFax on the vehicles they sell. See if they will run it for you for $15-$20.

 

[deelam]

Thank you anyway. It's just I don't want to pay the money and not know what sites to trust. And I don't want to pay a lot of money. I feel the info should be offered free by the DMV.

There are some ways to do it for free, none of them really ethical -- at least that I know of. I could do if for you, but I won't. Spend the money. Edmonds or CarFax.

Well, there is a way that is I guess ethical -- find a used car dealer in your town. One of the more downtrodden ones that offer CarFax on the vehicles they sell. See if they will run it for you for $15-$20.

 

[tvguy]

What are you hoping to learn from the VIN check?

 

[deelam]

History like accidents. I know they aren't fool proof but I just want to know not getting scammed

 

[scrapquitler]

Thank you anyway. It's just I don't want to pay the money and not know what sites to trust. And I don't want to pay a lot of money. I feel the info should be offered free by the DMV.

Maybe your state is different than mine, but any interaction with the DMV here in CT is a ridiculously painful and frustrating process. I can't see how they would have the time or the man power to provide this service, even if they charged for it.

I think you're just going to have to fork over the $20 or whatever it costs from carfax.

 

[tvguy]

History like accidents. I know they aren't fool proof but I just want to know not getting scammed

Not aware of any free ones. I'm glad you are aware that a lot of bad things that happen to cars never get reported. CarFax, etc are nice, and most reputable dealers will give you a print out for free, but they are no substitute for an inspection by your mechanic.

 

[deelam]

True, there are some red flags that go off when you look at a report. But nothing is as good as a mechanic looking at the car

 

[deelam]

Maybe your state is different than mine, but any interaction with the DMV here in CT is a ridiculously painful and frustrating process. I can't see how they would have the time or the man power to provide this service, even if they charged for it.

I think you're just going to have to fork over the $20 or whatever it costs from carfax.

It's almost $50 for a carfax!!!!

DMV is horrible in nj too. I just think it would be so nice if you could look info up on the DMV website. Obviously carfax has access. Shouldn't the consumer be allowed the same Liberty? That's just my opinion

 

[deelam]

Just to let everyone know, I bit the bullet and purchased a report, I used auto check instead of carfax. It was half the price. I still feel this info should be available to anyone free of charge. But until that happens, I'll have to buy

 

[deelam]

Now it back to planning my next Florida trip

 

[GrnMtnMan]

I still feel this info should be available to anyone free of charge.

I think you're assuming DMVs gather more information than they actually do. Much of the information in CarFax report comes from *private* databases maintained by insurance companies, with the actual accident reports making their way from collision shops, never even passing through 1 of the 51+ different government DMV systems.

 

[tvguy]

Just to let everyone know, I bit the bullet and purchased a report, I used auto check instead of carfax. It was half the price. I still feel this info should be available to anyone free of charge. But until that happens, I'll have to buy

I am assuming you bought through a private party? Most dealers here have the CarFax stuck on the car's window.