Vehicle history report.

In plain English

A vehicle history report is a summary of a used car's past pulled together from databases and tied to the car's VIN, the 17-character vehicle identification number. It can flag reported accidents, title brands like salvage or flood, prior owners, odometer readings, and service records. Reports are not perfect, because they only show events that got reported, but they help you catch obvious red flags before you buy. The federal government also runs a title-and-brand check through the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS), accessed through approved providers.

01Why it matters

Spending a few dollars (or using an NMVTIS-approved provider) before buying can save you from a car with a hidden salvage brand or a rolled-back odometer that costs thousands.

02The math, step by step

Before buying a used sedan, you run its VIN through a history report. It shows a prior accident and a single owner, but a clean title and consistent odometer readings. You also run an NMVTIS check through an approved provider, which confirms no hidden salvage or flood brand, so you feel comfortable moving forward.

03What this is NOT

04Receipts

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