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ProVINCheck

Free VIN Check, Plus an Optional Vehicle History Report

Decode a VIN for free with data from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). For accident, mileage and title records, you can buy a full history report from carVertical.

The same white BMW 5 Series sedan with no visible damage
Clean
White BMW 5 Series sedan with front-end collision damage
Damaged

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Where the data comes from

The free check uses public data from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Full vehicle history reports are sold by carVertical, an independent provider. We earn a commission when you buy a report through our links.

Key Features

What the free check shows, and what the paid report adds.

Free VIN Decoding

See the make, model, model year, engine and other specs that the manufacturer reported to NHTSA.

Free Safety Data

For the decoded make, model and year, see NHTSA safety recalls, owner complaints and NCAP crash-test ratings.

Optional Full History

Accident, mileage, title and theft records are in the vehicle history report from carVertical, which is sold separately.

Check a VIN in 3 Steps

The free result appears on the page as soon as NHTSA responds, usually within seconds.

1

Enter Your VIN

Enter the 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). It uses digits and capital letters, but never I, O or Q.

2

We Decode It with NHTSA

We send the VIN to the database of the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which returns the specs the manufacturer reported.

3

See the Free Results

View the specs, plus NHTSA recalls, complaints and safety ratings for that model. A full history report from carVertical is optional and sold separately.

These screens are illustrations with made-up example data (sample VIN WVWZZZAUZFW123456), not a real vehicle. The free check decodes the VIN; mileage, accident and title records like the rollback alert shown are only in the paid report from our partner carVertical.

What a Full carVertical History Report Can Include

These records are not part of the free check. They come from the paid vehicle history report sold by carVertical, an independent provider. What each report contains depends on the data available for the vehicle.

Example report section listing two damage records, with a car diagram marking the damaged sides and estimated repair costs

Damage

Reported accidents and flood or fire damage, where records exist, so you can judge the true condition of the vehicle.

Example report section with a mileage chart that flags a possible odometer rollback

Mileage rollbacks

A tampered odometer means you could be overpaying and facing costly repairs sooner than you think. Mileage readings recorded over time can reveal a rollback.

Example report section listing the vehicle identification and technical specifications

Specs & equipment

What's listed isn't always what you get. The report lists the vehicle's original specs and equipment so you can spot mismatches. The free decode shows the basic specs too.

Example report section showing a salvage title record among the title and odometer brands checked

Title check

Title records that can reveal salvage history, liens or other ownership problems that could cost you later.

Example report section showing a five-star NHTSA safety rating and one recall

Safety

Safety recalls and crash-test ratings. The free check also lists the NHTSA recalls and safety ratings for the decoded make, model and year.

Example report section with a map and a no-issues-found result for natural disaster areas

Natural disaster

Floods and other disasters can leave lasting damage. The report flags disaster-related records where they exist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about our VIN check service.

A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique 17-character code assigned to every vehicle. It contains information about the manufacturer, vehicle type, and other specifications.

Your VIN can be found on the driver's side dashboard visible through the windshield, inside the driver's door jamb, on your vehicle registration, or insurance documents.

The free check decodes the VIN with the database of the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and shows the make, model, model year, engine and other specs the manufacturer reported. For that make, model and year, it also lists NHTSA safety recalls, owner complaints and NCAP safety ratings where available.

Accident, title, mileage, theft, ownership and service records are not part of the free check. They are in the full vehicle history report sold by our partner carVertical, an independent provider. What a report contains depends on the records available for the vehicle. ProVINCheck earns a commission on reports bought through its links.

The NHTSA database mainly covers vehicles made for the U.S. market. Vehicles built for other markets, such as many European cars, are often decoded only partly or not at all. If the make, model or year can't be identified, you are taken to carVertical to continue the check.

The free data is what manufacturers and vehicle owners reported to NHTSA, so it can be incomplete. Recalls and complaints are listed for the make, model and year, not for one specific vehicle. The records in a carVertical report are limited to what was reported to its data sources.

Yes. Before you buy any used vehicle, run the free check and compare the VIN on the car with the one in its documents. If you need the accident, mileage or title history, consider the full report.

The free results appear on the page as soon as NHTSA responds, usually within seconds. The paid report is delivered by carVertical, not by ProVINCheck.

Learn more before you buy

Guides and tools for reading a VIN and checking a used car’s history.

Start with the free check

Check a VIN before you buy

No account needed
Free results, usually in seconds
Best coverage for North American-market cars

Free VIN check

  • Decoded specs: make, model, year, engine
  • NHTSA safety recalls
  • Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
  • NCAP safety ratings, where available

Full history report (paid)

  • Accident and damage records
  • Mileage records
  • Title and theft checks
  • Ownership history

Sold by carVertical, an independent provider. ProVINCheck earns a commission on reports bought through its links.