When you're buying a used car for the first time, you may not know how to use a VIN history report to your advantage. With so many cars on the market, these reports can give you some insight into the accident, damage and claim history of the car as well as ownership records and title status. This is helpful, because the current owner may not know the entire history of the car. This is most commonly a problem when you buy from someone who wasn't the first owner of the car. Here's a look at what you need to know about VIN history reports and how to get the most from them.

Where You Get a VIN History

If you're buying a used car from a dealer, most will provide the history report on request. You just have to ask your representative at the dealership. If you're buying from a private owner, though, you're going to have to request it on your own. There are many online reporting services that you can request it from, and the fees can vary among them. Choose the one that fits your budget and timeline. All you'll need is the VIN number from the seller.

What You Do With the VIN History

It's good to obtain a VIN history, but if you don't understand what it's telling you, it isn't going to help. Here are the things to look for.

• Accident Reports – Check the accident report section first. Most VIN histories tell you not only the type of accident and when it happened, but also how severe the damage was according to the insurance company report. If the car suffered only cosmetic damage, the report may indicate that it was driven from the scene. In cases of more severe damage, it may show that the car was towed. If this is the case, you'll want to be a bit more cautious about your selection. Have a mechanic evaluate the car completely, including putting it on a lift to check the suspension. Provide the VIN history to the mechanic to give him or her a starting point.

• Title Status – While you might think that a title is just a title, it actually tells you far more than you'd think about the car. If the VIN report lists the car's title as a salvage title, it means that the accident damage was so severe that the insurance company labeled it as a total loss. This only happens when the cost of repairs exceeds the value of the car. Sometimes, the owner keeps the car and has it repaired anyway, at which point he or she can get a salvage title. That title indicates that the car was declared road-worthy after being repaired.

Who Did the Accident Repairs?

Sometimes, the VIN history will even list the name of the shop that completed the repairs. If it does, you can look into the reputation of the shop to be sure that they are reputable. It's in your best interest to ask about who did the repairs even if the VIN history doesn't say. This can give you the peace of mind that the work was done right, or possibly indicate that you may need to consider a different vehicle.

Before you buy a used car from any seller, it's important to understand its history. A VIN history report can provide you with important details that directly affect the safety of the car. With the information presented here, you'll be able to not only get the VIN history but also put it to use to evaluate the car before you decide to buy. For more advice, contact a business such as U Pick U Save.