US buyer guide
Used car buying checklist: what to check with the VIN
Ten checks to run before you pay for a used car in the US, in order, all starting from the 17-character VIN. Most are free, take a few minutes, and catch the problems that are hardest to fix after you sign.
Sample reports:2023 Ford F-1502022 Chevy Silverado2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee2021 BMW X32003 Honda Accord
The 10 checks
Get the full 17-character VIN before you visit
Ask the seller for it, or read it from the listing photos. A seller who will not share the VIN is a reason to walk away. US VINs never use the letters I, O or Q.
Match the VIN in three places
The dashboard plate seen through the windshield, the certification label on the driver’s door jamb, and the title must all show the same VIN. A mismatch or a damaged label needs an explanation.
Decode it
The decode should agree with the listing: model year, make, model, body, engine and assembly plant. A “2019” that decodes as 2017 is a problem.
Check every recall for the model year
List the NHTSA campaigns for that year, make and model, with the risk, the remedy and any park-it warning.
Confirm open recalls on that VIN
Enter the VIN at NHTSA and at the manufacturer. NHTSA’s VIN search shows safety recalls left unrepaired on that vehicle from the past 15 calendar years, using data supplied by the manufacturer.
Read owner complaints by component
Hundreds of complaints about one component (transmission, engine, electrical) tell you what to inspect and what to ask about.
Check title brands in NMVTIS
The federal National Motor Vehicle Title Information System records salvage, junk, flood and rebuilt brands, total losses and the last reported odometer. Reports come from approved providers listed at vehiclehistory.bja.ojp.gov.
Run NICB VINCheck
Free: shows whether participating insurers have reported the VIN as stolen and unrecovered, or as salvage. Limited to five searches per IP address per 24 hours.
Verify the options and the mileage
Compare the equipment with the window sticker or build sheet, and the odometer with service records and the NMVTIS reading. Model-year 2011 and newer vehicles need a federal odometer disclosure at transfer for 20 years.
Read the Buyers Guide and get an inspection
Dealers must post the FTC Buyers Guide showing “as is” or warranty terms. Then have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
What each check costs and covers
| Check | Cost | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
| VIN decode | Free | Year, make, model, body, engine, plant, safety equipment as built |
| NHTSA recalls & complaints | Free | Every campaign and owner complaint for the model year |
| NHTSA VIN search | Free | Unrepaired safety recalls on that VIN, past 15 years |
| NICB VINCheck | Free | Insurer-reported theft (unrecovered) and salvage |
| NMVTIS report | Low fee | Title brands, total-loss and salvage history, last odometer |
| Window sticker / build sheet | Often free | Original trim, options, MSRP |
| Pre-purchase inspection | Paid | Actual condition: leaks, frame, repairs, wear |
Red flags
- VIN mismatch between dashboard, door label and title, or a VIN plate that looks tampered with. See how to check if a car is stolen.
- Title not in the seller’s name, or a seller who cannot produce the title at all. Ask about liens; a lender may hold the title.
- A title brand (salvage, flood, rebuilt, junk, manufacturer buyback) the seller did not mention. See salvage and rebuilt titles, flood-damaged cars and lemon law buybacks.
- Odometer reading lower than an earlier record in NMVTIS, a history report or the service book. See odometer rollback checks.
- An open recall with a “park outside” or “do not drive” advisory. Read what those mean before you drive it home.
- Equipment that doesn’t match the window sticker for the trim being advertised.
- A seller who refuses an independent inspection.
An open recall on its own is not a red flag: the repair is free for any owner. It is a negotiating point and a to-do item. See does a recall affect resale value?
On the day you buy
At a dealer, read the Buyers Guide on the window. The FTC requires dealers who sell more than five used vehicles in a 12-month period to post it; it says whether the car comes “as is” or with a warranty, and its terms become part of the contract. It also tells you to check for safety recalls by VIN, which you will already have done.
In a private sale, see the seller’s ID and make sure the name matches the title. Complete the odometer disclosure on the title or your state’s form; for model-year 2011 and newer vehicles, federal rules require it for the first 20 years. Keep the bill of sale.
After you buy, register with the manufacturer so recall letters reach you, and book any open recall at a franchised dealer. Our guide to open recalls covers the visit.
FAQ
What can I find out about a used car from the VIN for free?
For free: the factory decode (year, model, engine, plant), every NHTSA recall and owner complaint for the model year, open recalls on that VIN at NHTSA, NICB theft and salvage records, and for many brands the original window sticker. Title-brand history from NMVTIS costs a few dollars through approved providers; full history reports cost more.
Is a free VIN check enough to buy a used car?
No. VIN checks only show what has been reported. Unreported accidents, poor repairs and mechanical wear only show up in a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic you choose.
Can a dealer sell me a used car with an open recall?
Federal law does not prohibit it; the ban applies to new vehicles and rental fleets. Ask the dealer to complete open recalls before delivery, or have a franchised dealer of the brand do the free repair after you buy.
What is the FTC Buyers Guide?
A window form the FTC’s Used Car Rule requires dealers to post on used vehicles they offer for sale. It says whether the car is sold “as is” or with a warranty and what the warranty covers, and it tells buyers to check for open safety recalls by VIN. It is part of the sale contract and overrides anything contrary in the contract.
What does a salvage or rebuilt title mean?
An insurer or the state has declared the vehicle a total loss at some point. A rebuilt or reconstructed title means it was repaired and passed a state inspection to return to the road. Brand names and rules vary by state; NMVTIS reports show brands from every reporting state.
Sources
- NHTSA: Check for recalls (VIN search, owner notification, roles in the recall process)
- NMVTIS (U.S. Department of Justice): research vehicle history and approved data providers
- NICB VINCheck: free theft and salvage check
- 49 CFR 580.17: Odometer disclosure exemptions (20 years for model year 2011 and newer)
- FTC: Dealer’s Guide to the Used Car Rule (Buyers Guide)
- FTC: Statement of the Commission on auto recall advertising cases (Dec 15, 2016)
Published 2026-10-21. Car Codebook is independent and not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Spotted an error? Email hello@carcodebook.com.
Related
- How to check a car’s accident history by VINWhat free checks and paid history reports show about past crashes, what they miss, and the signs to look for in person.
- Does a recall affect resale value?Open vs. completed recalls when you sell or trade in, what dealers may sell, and how to protect your price.
- How to check recalls by VINFour steps: find the VIN, list NHTSA campaigns for the model year, confirm open recalls on your car, schedule the free remedy.