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10 Things You Must Check Before Buying a Used Car
From hidden accidents to odometer fraud: the most important red flags to look for when shopping for a used vehicle.
May 12, 2025
PlateVIN Team
Are you worried about buying a used car?
Know the car’s history before you make an offer.
Check the VIN for available accident, title, ownership, mileage, total-loss, and recall records.
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Always Check the History of a Car Before Buying It
Comprehensive insights with a PlateVIN Vehicle History Report
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Sample Report Preview
Odometer Reading
48,350 mi
Title Brand
Clean Title
Accident Records
1 minor incident
Previous Owners
2 owners
Theft Records
No records
Salvage / Junk
No records
Safety Recalls
1 open recall
Last Reported State
California, CA
* Sample data shown for illustration purposes only.
How was the car previously used? Was it a prior taxi or a rental car?
A full vehicle history report can reveal past use, ownership count, and recorded mileage discrepancies, all before you hand over any money.
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“I ran VIN checks on three different cars before buying. Found mileage discrepancies on two of them. The one with a clean report is now sitting in my driveway.”
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Phoenix, AZ
“Very detailed report. Showed me two previous owners and a minor accident I would have never known about. Used it to negotiate $800 off the asking price.”
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Chicago, IL
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SAFETYRead More →
Open Recalls: Why They Matter More Than You Think
Millions of vehicles on the road today have unresolved safety recalls. Find out how to check if your next car is affected before you buy.
April 28, 2025
PlateVIN Team
MAINTENANCERead More →
How Mileage Fraud Affects Used Car Prices (And How to Spot It)
Odometer rollback is more common than buyers realize. Here is how vehicle history records can expose discrepancies in reported mileage.
March 15, 2025
PlateVIN Team
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Know what a vehicle history report can and cannot tell you before you buy.
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Learn everything there is to know about your used car
Check the records. Ask better questions. Buy only when the facts add up.
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