Vehicle History Report: What Information It Contains & How to Read It

You're buying a used car. The seller says it's clean. But how do you know? A vehicle history report tells the real story.

Vehicle history reports get 89,000 monthly searches. Here's what they contain, how to read them, and what red flags to watch for.

What's In a Vehicle History Report

Ownership History

What it shows:

• Number of previous owners
• Length of ownership periods
• Registration locations
• Ownership transfers

What to look for:

• Too many owners in short time = red flag
• Long single-owner history = good sign
• Consistent registration locations = good sign

Accident History

What it shows:

• Reported accidents
• Damage severity
• Insurance claims
• Repair history

What to look for:

• Multiple accidents = red flag
• Severe damage = red flag
• Unreported accidents = won't show (visual inspection needed)

Title Information

What it shows:

• Title brands (salvage, rebuilt, flood, lemon)
• Title transfers
• Lien information
• Theft records

What to look for:

• Any title brand = major red flag
• Clean title = good sign
• Lien information = verify it's cleared

Mileage History

What it shows:

• Mileage at various points in time
• Mileage graph
• Service record mileage
• Odometer readings

What to look for:

• Consistent increases = good sign
• Drops or plateaus = red flag (odometer fraud)
• Missing records = red flag

Service Records

What it shows:

• Maintenance history
• Service dates and mileage
• Service shop information
• Recall information

What to look for:

• Regular maintenance = good sign
• Missing records = red flag
• Consistent service = good sign

Recall Information

What it shows:

• Open recalls
• Completed recalls
• Recall descriptions

What to look for:

• Open recalls = get them fixed
• Completed recalls = good sign

How to Read Mileage History

Legitimate Mileage Graph

What it looks like:

• Steady upward progression
• Consistent increases over time
• No drops or plateaus
• Matches service records

Example:

• Year 1: 12,000 miles
• Year 2: 24,000 miles (+12K)
• Year 3: 36,000 miles (+12K)
• Year 4: 48,000 miles (+12K)
• Year 5: 60,000 miles (+12K)

Fraudulent Mileage Graph

What it looks like:

• Drops in mileage
• Plateaus (mileage stays same)
• Inconsistent increases
• Doesn't match service records

Example:

• Year 1: 12,000 miles
• Year 2: 24,000 miles (+12K)
• Year 3: 15,000 miles (-9K) ← RED FLAG
• Year 4: 18,000 miles (+3K)
• Year 5: 60,000 miles (+42K) ← RED FLAG

Spotting Mileage Discrepancies

Red flags:

• Mileage decreases between records
• Mileage stays same for extended periods
• Large jumps in mileage
• Service records don't match reported mileage
• Missing service records

Title Brands Explained

Salvage Title

What it means: Vehicle was declared total loss by insurance. Why it's a problem:

• Significant damage
• Safety concerns
• Difficult to insure
• Reduced value

Action: Walk away. Not worth the risk.

Rebuilt Title

What it means: Salvage vehicle that was repaired and inspected. Why it's a problem:

• Previous significant damage
• Quality of repairs unknown
• Insurance issues
• Reduced value

Action: Very cautious. Get thorough inspection.

Flood Title

What it means: Vehicle was damaged by flood. Why it's a problem:

• Electrical problems
• Mold issues
• Rust problems
• Hidden damage

Action: Walk away. Flood damage is extensive.

Lemon Title

What it means: Vehicle had repeated unfixable problems. Why it's a problem:

• Chronic problems
• May still have issues
• Reduced value

Action: Walk away. Not worth the risk.

Clean Title

What it means: No title brands, normal history. Why it's good:

• No major issues
• Easier to insure
• Better resale value

Action: Good sign, but still verify everything else.

What to Do If You Find Red Flags

Red Flag: Odometer Fraud

What to do:

1. Verify with multiple sources
2. Check service records independently
3. Inspect wear patterns
4. If confirmed, walk away

Red Flag: Title Brand

What to do:

1. Understand what brand means
2. Get thorough inspection
3. Consider walking away
4. If proceeding, negotiate heavily

Red Flag: Multiple Accidents

What to do:

1. Get detailed accident reports
2. Inspect for damage
3. Get professional inspection
4. Consider walking away

Red Flag: Missing Service Records

What to do:

1. Request records from seller
2. Verify independently
3. Get thorough inspection
4. Negotiate price to account for risk

Carfax vs. AutoCheck vs. Experian vs. Free Options

Carfax

Pros:

• Most comprehensive
• Best reputation
• Detailed reports

Cons:

• Most expensive ($40-50 per report)
• Not all shops report to Carfax

AutoCheck

Pros:

• Less expensive ($25-35)
• Good coverage
• Score system

Cons:

• Less detailed than Carfax
• Fewer service records

Experian AutoCheck

Pros:

• Good coverage
• Reasonable price

Cons:

• Less well-known
• Varies by region

Free Options

Pros:

• Free
• Basic information

Cons:

• Limited information
• Less reliable
• May miss important details

Recommendation: For serious purchase, pay for Carfax or AutoCheck. Free options are better than nothing but limited.

Cost: Is It Worth It?

Typical cost: $25-50 per report What you get:

• Accident history
• Title information
• Mileage verification
• Service records
• Recall information

Is it worth it? Absolutely. One report can save you thousands by avoiding a bad purchase. Example: You're buying a $15,000 car. History report costs $40. Report reveals flood damage. You walk away, saving $15,000+ in problems.

The Bottom Line

Vehicle history reports are essential when buying used cars. They reveal hidden problems, verify mileage, and protect your investment. Always get a report before buying.

Want comprehensive vehicle history reports? SKANYX VIN History Reports (Coming Soon) provide detailed vehicle history, mileage verification, and fraud detection. See our pricing for diagnostic tools.

Need a Comprehensive Vehicle History Report? Use Skanyx VIN History Reports (Coming Soon) to get detailed vehicle history, mileage verification, title information, and fraud detection before you buy. Learn more about SKANYX features or see our pricing to get started.