VIN Check

CamperDC · 08-20-2018, 11:57 AM

Does anyone have a recommendation for a VIN check service? Buying a used MH and wondering if I should run a check on the VIN?

rgvtexan · 08-20-2018, 01:48 PM

Car-Fax https://www.carfax.com/?partner=YVH_...8E3A&gclsrc=ds

Ask the dealer/seller to furnish one. If he reneges, walk away.

4x4van · 08-21-2018, 05:02 PM

Carfax is worth just about as much as the paper that it's printed on.

rgvtexan · 08-22-2018, 11:17 AM

Somewhat true, but if it shows a continuous stream of maintenance and service, that is good.
It should show a title trail and salvage titles. Might show accidents.

And if the seller furnishes it, it cost nothing to look!

GaryKowal1 · 01-01-2019, 10:16 PM

Carfax is not perfect, but can be helpful. Two years ago I was buying a vehicle with 70K miles on it. Carfax showed it had 120K 6 months before I was looking at it. NO DEAL.

Teamfoxy · 01-02-2019, 07:02 AM

In Florida you can check the VIN at https://services.flhsmv.gov/mvcheckweb/
Its not a complete history, but does tell you when the vehicle was titled, the milage at the time, the title status, and current lein information. Other states may have something similar. I checked out our current RV this way and it corroborated that it was a one owner vehicle. I did not bother with a carfax.

We keep a log of our travels in the RV and it includes maintenance and repairs with dates and milage. We do not bother to save receipts, unless there is a warranty involved, since I do most of the work. We keep this for ourselves and not to show a future owner when we sell it. Hopefully that won't be for a long time.

BobC · 01-02-2019, 10:54 AM

I don't remember the specifics, but there are some sites that will provide minimal information for free or a very small fee. Google "free VIN check". You can try that first to see if it ties with what the seller is telling you. If there are any questions, you can look further.

WinnieView · 01-02-2019, 11:16 AM

Here are a few we use each time and we just did the same 2 weeks ago;

Google the VIN

https://vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/

https://www.decodethis.com/

https://www.nicb.org/how-we-help/vincheck

Absolutely Real Free VIN Check, Vehicle History Reports

https://www.vehiclehistory.com/licen...ence-plate.php

Another thing you may want to check into is that in some states the owner can have a 'car title loan' against the vehicle which is usually only recorded electronically with the State.
The owner sells, the buyer attempts to register, and is now responsible for all liens and fees before a new title can be issued. (Yes Virginia, this is a scam. What will they think of next.)

We didn't post the link that our State offers where a query can be run for $1.50 for a 'car title loan' check* against a vehicle as it is specific to AZ.
The best option in any case is to only take title and possession at a State DMV office, or an authorized 3-party of the DMV as we also have here in AZ.
*New title loans can be taken out within hours prior to a sale.

BobC · 01-02-2019, 12:53 PM

The key pieces of info I'd want to know are:

1. Owner history
2. Title Status - Especially to confirm it's not a salvage title.

WinnieView raises some lien scam issues that I wouldn't have considered. You should check with your local DMV and see what they advise since things will vary stat-to-state. Also, if you're purchasing from a dealer and they handle tax, license and title transfer, you may have more protection, especially if the MH belongs to the dealer and isn't a consignment sale.