How do I check a used car's history before I buy it?

Concerns & risks

You've found a promising used car, the price is tempting and you want to be sure it doesn't have a hidden history like a salvage title, flood damage or an open recall.

Causes & evidence

Problem cars often move between states, where title brands can get lost. The Justice Department's National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) collects title, brand and odometer data from states, insurers and salvage yards, and approved providers sell low-cost reports through vehiclehistory.gov. NHTSA's free VIN lookup shows unrepaired safety recalls. For dealer purchases, the FTC's Used Car Rule requires a Buyers Guide on the window explaining warranty terms. None of these replace a mechanic's inspection, because reports only show what was reported.

NMVTIS reports focus on title brands and odometer readings reported by states and insurers. Commercial history reports may include different data, such as service records.

Relying on a clean report alone, without a pre-purchase inspection, is how flood and accident damage slip through.

What to do

1. Get the VIN from the car itself and confirm it matches the title.
2. Run an NMVTIS report from a provider listed on vehiclehistory.gov.
3. Check open recalls with NHTSA's free VIN lookup.
4. Book a pre-purchase inspection with an independent mechanic.
5. Verify the seller's ID matches the name on the title before paying.

Common mistakes:

• Skipping the inspection because the car drives fine
• Accepting a VIN from a photo or message instead of the car
• Paying before seeing the title in the seller's name

ReportSpeedMan tip: Look for water lines, silt under carpets and corrosion in odd places; flood cars often show it in the trunk spare tyre well.

What I would actually do

run an NMVTIS report and NHTSA recall check from the VIN on the car, then spend the money on an independent inspection before any deposit.

The trade-off people miss: a private sale has no dealer Buyers Guide and usually no warranty, so the inspection is your only safety net.

Signs it worked

The title, recall check and inspection all come back clean before money changes hands.

Quick FAQ

Is NMVTIS the same as other reports?
It's the federal title database; commercial reports may add other data.

Do recalls transfer with the car?
Yes, recall repairs are tied to the VIN.

What is a salvage title?
A brand showing an insurer declared the car a loss.

Wrap-up: Run the title report, check recalls and pay for an inspection. A small cost upfront protects a big purchase.

Wiki: Vehicle Recalls.

How do I check a used car's history before I buy it: read the originals

• DOJ: NMVTIS vehiclehistory.gov
• NHTSA: Recalls lookup