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Anytime you are planning to purchase a vehicle, it is a good idea to check out its history. These days, it is easy to do so over the Internet. This allows you to ensure that the vehicle does not have any liens, has not been reported stolen, and does not have a salvage title. You can get these vehicle history reports for free from the federal government. If a vehicle that you are interested in has serious issues that are listed on its vehicle history report, you may want to consider walking away. Read on to learn more about vehicle history reports.
Why Vehicle History Reports are Important
Vehicle history reports are important because they can show a variety of serious issues that you would not otherwise be aware of. On the flip side, a vehicle history report can show that a vehicle you are interested in has a spotless history, making it a good candidate for your next car. The issues to look out for on a vehicle history report include any outstanding liens or theft reports and whether the vehicle has a salvage title.
If it does have a salvage title, this means that the vehicle was in such a serious condition that the insurance company wrote it off as “totaled.” If this happens, someone else may buy the vehicle and repair it till it is road-worthy. When the vehicle is road-worthy, it will be issued a salvage title.
How to Get a Vehicle History Report
You would have had to go to a government office in person to get a vehicle history report in the past. This is no longer the case. The federal government has a website that allows you to check a vehicle’s history for free.
What to do if a Vehicle You are Interested in Has Issues
If you are interested in a vehicle that has serious issues on its vehicle history report, you should think twice about buying it. This is especially true if the vehicle is suspiciously cheap. While this may make it more desirable, you should keep in mind that there is probably a reason that the seller is letting it go for less than the market value.