Cover of the VIN Checklist, a guide to reading, matching, and checking a used car's VIN before you buy

The VIN Checklist: Check a Used Car Before You Pay

$7.00 $9.00
Skip to product information
Cover of the VIN Checklist, a guide to reading, matching, and checking a used car's VIN before you buy
  • Cover of the VIN Checklist, a guide to reading, matching, and checking a used car's VIN before you buy
  • Cover of the VIN Checklist, a guide to reading, matching, and checking a used car's VIN before you buy
The VIN Checklist: Check a Used Car Before You Pay

The VIN Checklist: Check a Used Car Before You Pay

$7.00 $9.00

A VIN is only 17 characters, but it can tell you a lot about a used car, if you know how to use it. This short guide explains what a VIN is, where to find it on the car, and how to make sure it matches the title, the paperwork, and the history report.

You'll learn how to use free tools like the NHTSA recall lookup and NICB VINCheck, what NMVTIS reports are, how to read a history report (title brands, owners, service gaps, mileage, accidents), and what reports can miss. Includes fill-in sheets: a VIN check sheet for each car, a history-report review sheet, and a tracker for comparing up to four cars.

Written by Andrew Chandler, a Virginia vehicle appraiser and buyer. Plain language, with sources listed and Virginia rules kept separate from U.S. rules. My opinion and general information, not legal or financial advice. A clean report doesn't guarantee a good car.

About 23 pages. Instant download: PDF plus editable DOCX (Word), built to print.

You may also like