A car history report is an important piece of document that all car buyers need before making a buying commitment. Traditionally, it is cumbersome to retrieve a car history report, mainly due to lack of communication tools. Today, with easy access to the Internet, you can get a full car history report with a few simple clicks.
First of all, why is a car history report so important?
You need the report to help you make a better buying decision. Your primary concern would the condition of the car. The more you know about the car, the easier it is for you to make a decision. For example, the car history report will reveal details such as car frame condition, odometer condition, all special events that happened to the car such as theft or accidents, and more. Based on the report, you will then be able to come to a conclusion as to whether the price is too high or not.
Of course, the obvious choice would be to buy a car that is accident free. A car that has been previously involved in an accident is likely to have been damaged in some way. After repairs, it is hard to assess the extent of the damage. Here is where you rely on the car history report for details. Based on the report, you will be able to make educated guesses on the extent of damage and the overall condition of the car. If there is a high chance of the car breaking down in future, it is best to avoid the purchase.
In general, there are two types of car history report that you can purchase. A report will cost you a small fee. But it's a small sum to pay compared to potential repair costs for buying a car in poor condition.
The first type of car report is a full-fledged report, but there is no rating system. In other words, you can't easily compare between one car and another without having to read every line of the report. This makes it difficult if you wish to compare various makes and models.
Another type of car history report, offered by AutoCheck, has a rating system. Every report that you buy from AutoCheck comes with a AutoCheck Score. This is a very useful number that you can use to compare car history reports. It's a single number that is easy to understand. It allows you to assess the risk of making a purchase. The score ranges from 1 to 100. A higher score means that there is less risk. So with a single glance, you will immediately be able to tell which car is a better purchase.
Autocheck gets its car data from thousands of car dealers across the country. Data is compiled from many reliable sources such as Department of Motor Vehicles, insurance companies, etc.
When considering buying a used vehicle you would be wise to get a car history report before parting with your hard earned cash. The report will show the car's past history and sometimes this can be dubious. A check will reveal a lot of information which you can then use to decide if the vehicle is all that the seller says it is. In the long run this can save you a great deal of money and stress.
One of the many things you are able to learn about the car is whether it has been listed as being stolen. Cars that have been stolen can be sold by those with little ethics. If you were to buy a used vehicle that was reported stolen then you would have to hand it back over and of course lose your money. With over 30 vehicles being stolen every day, having a car data check to make sure the one you are considering is not among them is essential.
Another way in which a vehicle history report can be to your advantage is to check to makes sure that the car does not have an outstanding loan attached to it. Sometimes a vehicle offered for sale still has finance attached to it and if you buy it then you would either have to pay the loan off or give the car back to the lender. 24 out of every 100 cars that are checked have been found to have been reported stolen.
Occasionally a vehicle can also be offered online for sale which has been written off in an accident. If the insurer deems the car to be too badly damaged then they will write the vehicle off and pay out on the insurance. If this is the case and the car has been repaired and sold on then it will be the property of the insurance company. Even worse a vehicle could have been written off due to the severity of damage which means that it is not safe to repair. However even these cars can be sold on, cars can also be welded together and of course having this information can save a great deal more than money when it comes to your safety. A car history report can even tell you how badly damaged the vehicle was if it was written-off.
Your car history report can also tell you such things as the colour of the car, the size of the engine, how many doors the vehicle has and how many times it has changed hands. You will also be able to find out when the car was actually manufactured and when the vehicle was registered for the first time. You can find all of this information with a specialist website from the vehicles identification number which is usually found behind the windscreen, on the bodywork and the chassis plate. Anyone selling a car should not mind if you look the vehicle over and take this number and of course the numbers should match on the car and with the documentation supplied with the car.
Both Gen Wright & Louis Rix are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Gen Wright has sinced written about articles on various topics from Terrier Dogs, Acne Treatment and Lose Weight. Get free or instantly.. Gen Wright's top article generates over 1220000 views. to your Favourites.
Louis Rix has sinced written about articles on various topics from Used Car, Finances and Used Car. Louis Rix is a Director of NetCars, one of the UK's leading motoring websites. First established in January 2000, it provides car finance, loans and insurance. NetCars also provides a. Louis Rix's top article generates over 246000 views. to your Favourites.