Check a Used Car: Complete Pre-Purchase Guide
40% of used cars have hidden damage. Follow our 15-point checklist to avoid scams and buy with confidence.
40%
Have hidden damage
$3,200
Avg. cost of hidden defects
15
Points to check
15 essential points to check
Before signing, go through each point on this checklist. A single missed issue can cost thousands of dollars.
Documents
1. Vehicle title
Verify the title is in the seller's name and matches their ID. Check for salvage, rebuilt, or flood title brands. A clean title is your first green flag.
2. Vehicle history report
Pull a Carfax or AutoCheck report before visiting. Look for accident records, title changes, service history, and how many owners the car has had.
3. Service booklet
A maintained service booklet with garage stamps is a sign of good maintenance. No booklet = be cautious.
Exterior
4. Body condition
Inspect each panel under raking light. Look for scratches, dents, rust, and especially repainted areas (accident indicator).
5. Panel alignment
Uneven gaps between body panels indicate an accident with part replacement or straightening.
6. Tire condition
Check wear (indicator at 1.6mm), manufacture date (DOT code), and especially asymmetric wear indicating alignment issues.
7. Lights and glass
Test all lights, indicators, and windshield. A cracked windshield can cause an inspection failure.
Interior
8. Dashboard
With the engine running, check no warning lights stay on. Engine, ABS, airbag, or power steering lights signal costly issues.
9. Seats and interior
Interior wear should match the stated mileage. A heavily worn interior with low mileage is suspicious.
10. Air conditioning
Test hot and cold. An AC recharge costs $150-250, a failed compressor $500-1,200.
Mechanical
11. Cold engine noise
Start the engine cold. Knocking or whistling can indicate timing belt, turbo, or pump problems.
12. Test drive
Test in city, highway, and motorway conditions. Check steering, braking, gearbox, and suspension noises.
Digital checks
13. VIN verification
Decode the VIN number to confirm the vehicle's characteristics and verify it's not stolen or encumbered.
14. NMVTIS history check
Run the VIN through the NMVTIS database for title brands, total loss records, and salvage history. Free alternatives: NHTSA VIN lookup and NICB VINCheck.
15. Automano VIN report
Check the VIN with Automano for complete vehicle history, real price estimate, and an Automano Score out of 100.
NMVTIS: the federal vehicle history database
NMVTIS (National Motor Vehicle Title Information System) is a federal database that consolidates vehicle history data from state DMVs, insurance carriers, and salvage yards across all 50 states.
What NMVTIS provides
Title brand history (salvage, rebuilt, flood) • Total loss records from insurance companies • Junk and salvage yard reports • Odometer readings at title transfers • State where the vehicle was last titled
NMVTIS limitations
No maintenance or service records • No accident details or repair history • Data may lag 1-2 months behind DMV updates • No lemon law buyback tracking in all states • Does not cover vehicles never titled in the US
Automano complements NMVTIS with international VIN verification, real-time market price estimation, complete incident history, and a detailed PDF report with Automano Score out of 100.
Most common scams
Knowing the classic scams helps you spot and avoid them.
Odometer fraud
The NHTSA estimates 450,000 cars are sold annually with rolled-back odometers. Verify mileage via VIN history and compare with pedal, steering wheel, and seat wear.
Hidden accident
Partial repaint, misaligned panels, filler traces. The Automano VIN report reveals declared incidents and damage in the vehicle's history.
Stolen or encumbered vehicle
A vehicle with a lien cannot be legally sold without the lender's release. Run the VIN through NMVTIS or the Automano VIN report to check for liens and encumbrances.
Curbstoning
Unlicensed dealers pose as private sellers to flip cars without disclosing known issues. Red flags: multiple cars listed by the same phone number, meeting in parking lots, no maintenance records.
Our vehicle verification tools
Use our free and paid tools for a complete pre-purchase check.
Free VIN decoder
Identify the manufacturer, country, and year from the VIN number.
Free Car Value
Compare book value with our market-based estimate from real listings.
Free estimation
Know a vehicle's market value in 30 seconds.
Car Diagnostics
Request an OBD2 diagnostic before buying. Warning lights often hide costly repairs.
Used Car Verification FAQ
How do I check a car's history for free?
Use the free NHTSA VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls for recall data. NICB VINCheck (nicb.org) flags theft and salvage records for free. For full title history, Automano's VIN decoder is free and unlimited.
How to detect a tampered odometer?
Compare the mileage with pedal, steering wheel, and seat wear. Check history via VIN (inspections, maintenance). Suspiciously low mileage for the vehicle's age is a red flag.
How to spot a repaint?
Look under raking light: color differences between panels, dust in paint, imperfect joint masking. The VIN report may reveal declared incidents, but visual inspection remains essential for cosmetic damage.
Should I always get a mechanic check?
Yes, always get a pre-purchase inspection (PPI) for mechanical issues like engine, transmission, and suspension. A PPI costs $100-200 and can save thousands. The Automano VIN report covers history and pricing, but nothing replaces a hands-on mechanical check for cars over 5 years or 60,000 miles.
How do I check an imported vehicle?
The VIN is essential for imports. Automano checks history across multiple countries. Be cautious with vehicles imported from Canada (potential flood/hail damage) or rebuilt Japanese imports. Verify the car meets US EPA and DOT standards.
What are the best free car check sites?
NHTSA VIN lookup (free recalls and complaints), NICB VINCheck (free theft and salvage check), Automano VIN decoder (free unlimited identification). For complete history with price estimate, the Automano VIN report costs $8.90.
Ready to check your next car?
Check any vehicle by its VIN number. Complete history, Automano Score out of 100, price estimate, and alerts on hidden issues.