Purchasing a new or used vehicle is one of the more exciting events in one’s life. There’s nothing like a new set of wheels, especially if the need for a new car been a long time coming.

While the process of buying a car can be tiresome, buying a brand-new set of wheels is relatively easy stuff - walk into a car dealership, get through negotiations, sign the papers, and drive off. Buying a used car, on the other hand, is not a straightforward process for many people. When buying a used vehicle, some people overlook a simple but important part of the process:

Checking on the vehicle’s history.

Failing to check a used vehicle history can lead to a host of nasty problems down the line. That’s why important to check the vehicle’s history long before you decide to sign on the dotted line.

What Can a Vehicle History Check Reveal?

A vehicle history report (VHR) contains a lot of information about the car in question. The report, which is usually generated from your vehicle’s VIN, shows where the car has been, who’s driven it in the past, and how well it was maintained, among other things.

A VHR reveals a lot of information about the used vehicle in which you’re interested. Here are some of the things that a vehicle history check can reveal.

Accident History

A vehicle history check reveals the number and severity of any past accidents. It’s important to check the history of the used vehicle you’re considering because you don’t want unexpected surprises in the future.

A used vehicle that has been in multiple collisions may have underlying problems that even a professional might miss. If a history check reveals the vehicle has been in serious collisions, you better look for a better used car elsewhere.

On the other hand, if a history check shows a collision with minor damage, you can use this to your advantage and bargain for a better price.

Damage from Natural Disasters

Vehicles are never safe from natural disasters. It’s the reason why many insurance companies make a killing selling comprehensive auto insurance.

If you consider buying a used car, you want to know if it’s been damaged by natural disasters in the past. Disasters such as flooding cause huge issues in cars, especially to sensitive electronics, exhaust, and intake systems.

Even if you’re buying the used car in an area that is not prone to flooding and other natural disasters, it’s important to check for water damage. A vehicle history can reveal damage from natural disasters easily.

“Fire and flood damage are of particular concern for your vehicle’s trade-in value, since they can often result in safety problems, electrical issues, and other complications down the road that require significant repairs.” – The Appraisal Lane.

Title History

Before purchasing a used vehicle, you must check its history reports to determine the status of its title. You can easily determine the status of the vehicle’s title from a simple VIN check.

Obviously, you want to spring for a used vehicle with a clean title. That means only going for vehicles that have never been written off by insurance companies in the past.

If the car you’re considering has recall, rebuilt or salvage titles, run for the hills. Don’t purchase a car with these types of titles because they are a mess (no matter the repairs) and may be expensive or impossible to insure.

Ownership History

You want to know the number of people who have owned the vehicle in the past. Why? Because you’ll learn when the car was first purchased, and every subsequent transaction where it has been bought or sold.

That, plus cars with a single previous owner attract higher sale prices and trade-in values compared to vehicles that have had many past owners. You want to go for a used vehicle that has had few owners before, so check the vehicle’s ownership history beforehand.

Mileage Data

A vehicle history check will reveal the car’s mileage data since it was first purchased. A car’s mileage, also known as odometer reading, is recorded at different points throughout the lifetime of the vehicle.

Usually, a car’s mileage is recorded during inspection, servicing, and when the car changes ownership. It’s a major problem if the car’s odometer reading is lower than what is in the vehicle’s history report.

That’s because some scammers use an illegal tactic known as “rolling back,” where the nefarious parties reduce the odometer reading in a bid to attract higher prices.

Service History

If you’re a buying a used vehicle, wouldn’t you want to know how the car was maintained by the previous owner(s)? Of course, you want to have this information on your fingertips to avoid unpleasant surprises down the road.

Well, many mechanics keep a record of the maintenance and service they perform on any given vehicle. Some don’t, but most do.

If you’d like to learn how the used vehicle in question was maintained in the past, it pays to have a look at the vehicle’s servicing history.

A car with a regular servicing routine fetches a higher sale price and trade-in value than its less-maintained counterparts.

How Skipping a Vehicle History Check Could Affect You

 

There are many great used vehicles on the market, but there are just as many bad buys that can cause major problems later. Here’s how avoiding a vehicle history check can affect you and ruin your experience.

Firstly, buying the proverbial “lemon” can lead to a host of mechanical issues and costly repairs down the line. Imagine running into mechanical problems on your way to work, or before you attend an important meeting. Perform a vehicle history check to avoid problems.

Secondly, a previously damaged or poorly maintained car may have safety implications. Even if you make huge savings at first, think about the value of your life, passengers, and other road users when the vehicle loses control thanks to underlying problems.

Thirdly, not checking the vehicle’s history could negatively affect your auto insurance. Numerous insurance claims, recalls, a salvage title and accident/flood damage will surely affect the insurance premiums you end up paying.

Finally, a vehicle with a bad history will fetch a lower resale price should you decide to sell it in the future. I’m confident that you don’t want to be stuck with a piece of junk you can dispose of easily.

Now What?

Before signing the contract and paying for that used vehicle thoroughly check the vehicle’s history to avoid problems that could drain you financially and mentally. On top of that, bring the vehicle by a trusted mechanic to look under the hood to ensure everything is in proper working order.

If you take these steps, you’ll be on your way to avoid any potential problems in the future.