Vehicle History Reports: What They Don’t Tell You

Article summary

• A vehicle history report links a car's VIN to key details like title history, reported accidents, odometer readings, service records and salvage status, helping you make a more informed buying decision.
• These reports only capture “reported” information, so they may miss unreported accidents, DIY repairs, hidden flood or structural damage, recently delayed entries and the vehicle's current condition.
• Don't rely on a VIN check alone—back it up with a visual inspection, a maintenance record review, a National Motor Vehicle Title Information System report and a test drive to catch information the report may miss.

When purchasing a new-to-you vehicle, one of the most common steps you might take is requesting a vehicle history report. This vehicle background check can be obtained through companies like CARFAX, EpicVIN and AutoCheck and contains important information like accident history, service history, ownership history, title status and mileage records. Every single one of these items will help you make an informed purchasing decision, but what if the report is missing something?

What if someone didn’t report an accident? What if someone took it upon themselves to modify or repair the vehicle without going to a shop? The truth is, these reports may be a great asset throughout your car shopping experience, but there are limitations, no matter which service you get it from.

What information does a vehicle history report include?

A vehicle history report for used cars links key vehicle information to the vehicle’s VIN (vehicle identification number). Services like Carfax, a trusted AAA partner, will run a VIN check that displays reported used car history.

This includes:

• Title history – Chronological ownership record, transactions and status changes for the vehicle.
• Reported accidents – A record of accidents reported by police, insurance companies or collision repair shops.
• Odometer readings – Chronological record of mileage. This could also indicate NAM (not actual mileage) if the odometer was disabled or tampered with.
• Maintenance and service records – Professionally logged oil changes, tire rotations, brake replacements and major repairs.
• Total loss and salvage records – Flags if a vehicle has been declared a total loss by the insurance company because repairs exceed the vehicle’s value.

What a vehicle history report may miss

Whether you're reviewing a free vehicle history report or a paid report, it's important to understand what information may be missing. The key word to remember when reviewing it is “reported.” Like with all systems, it depends on consistent, accurate information to be useful. Here are some common things that a history report may miss.

• Unreported accidents – If a collision isn’t reported to insurance companies, it may not end up on the report. Same goes for minor out-of-pocket repairs.
• Incomplete maintenance history – If the previous owner performed DIY repairs or modifications, those repairs typically won't appear unless they were documented and shared with a reporting database. Additionally, smaller mom-and-pop shops may not have a mechanism for reporting data like larger chains do.
• Hidden damage – Flood, hail and structural damage may not be obvious, nor is it always reported. Just because a report doesn’t show damage doesn’t mean it’s damage-free.
• Recently added data – In some cases, reporting delays could prevent new entries from showing up on the report in a timely manner. This could skew accuracy or create a false narrative. For example, the history could look clean, but a reporting delay could keep a recent accident from appearing prior to purchase.
• Current vehicle condition – These reports detail a vehicle’s history. If a vehicle hasn’t recently been to a shop or in a situation that would trigger a report record, the current status of the vehicle is not reflected in the report.

Supplement a VIN check with a pre-purchase inspection, record review and test drive

While a VIN check is a valuable tool to assess a vehicle’s past, it should not be the sole basis for your vehicle purchasing decision. A pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic like those found at AAA-owned Car Care Centers and AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities is a great way to corroborate the information in the report. Consider the following:

• Visual inspection – A thorough exterior and interior inspection where you are looking for any visible damage that could indicate deeper issues. Mismatched paint, chipped glass, uneven tires, malfunctioning lights, faulty electronics, torn or worn upholstery and dashboard warning lights could indicate deeper issues than reflected on your history report.
• Maintenance record review – By examining service records you can identify potential recurring problems, frequency of care and highlight gaps that could lead to future large expenses.
• National Motor Vehicle Title Information System Report – This report draws from a federal database focused primarily on title history, branding information and fraud prevention. This report can be used to corroborate the vehicle history report’s claims regarding title history or salvage status.
• Test drive – This is where everything comes together. If it looks right, feels right and acts right, there’s a strong case for a purchase. However, if reports say one thing and you notice acceleration or braking issues, unusual noises in the engine or drivetrain, faulty features or a poor overall driving experience, there may be undocumented mechanical issues.

Just because something looks good on paper doesn’t mean you should take it at face value. A vehicle history report may cover a lot of important information, but there could still be plenty of gaps. Be sure to get hands-on with the vehicle before you buy!