Buying a used car can be a risky business if you don’t do your due diligence. One of the most important steps is to have the vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) checked for any untoward history such as previous accidents, water damage, or odometer rollback fraud. Fortunately, there are ways to get a free VIN check that can alert you to potential problems before you close the deal.

The VIN is a 17-character code that uniquely identifies a vehicle. By decoding the VIN and comparing it to databases such as NMVIC and vehicle history report providers, you can discover details about the car's background, such as:

Accident and damage reports

Lemon/Manufacturer Buyback Status