Looking for VIN check reports including recalls? We have some tips for you and also some recommendations. Narrow your shopping list by targeting models known for reliability, a virtue that becomes more important as a car ages and falls out of warranty. Condition, mileage, age, equipment levels, and the region all affect vehicle value. Know the true value of your candidate car, regardless of what the seller is asking.
Check CO2 emissions, as it affects the duty you pay. Buyers of the most polluting cars pay the most road tax. But choose a car (such as the emission-free hybrid Toyota Prius) that produces less than 100g of CO2/km and you’ll pay nothing at all. An average family-type car, like a Volkswagen Golf, will set you back 30 a year. See a full list of Vehicle Excise Duty rates plus how to calculate yours.
A vehicle identification number, or VIN, identifies your car. It’s made up of individual numbers and letters with special significance, and provides information about your vehicle. Each VIN is unique to the vehicle. Look up your VIN through the manufacturer. Visit your car’s manufacturer website and see if it offers a VIN lookup. While not all manufacturers include this, some do. Some decoders provide basic information for free while others will require payment to give you a full report. Read more info at Free VIN check.
Once you find a good prospective car, don’t run out to see it. Call the seller first. This is a good way to establish a relationship with the seller and verify the information about the car. You can ask private-party sellers why they’re parting with a car, or whether it has any mechanical problems. And if you’re buying from a dealership, a phone call (or text) is the best way to ensure the car is still in stock. Sometimes the seller will mention something that wasn’t in the ad that might change your decision to buy the car. If you want to go deeper, our used car questionnaire is a good reminder of what to ask. You will notice that the last question on our list is the asking price of the car. Although many people are tempted to negotiate even before they have laid eyes on the car, it’s better to wait. Once you see the car, you can tie your offer to its condition.