How-To Guides
Buy a used car the right way
Clear, step-by-step guides to checking a VIN, reading a history report, spotting fraud, and negotiating a fair price.
VIN basics
How to Check a VIN Number: A Step-by-Step Guide
Checking a VIN takes about a minute and can save you thousands. Learn where to find the VIN, how to validate it, and how to pull a full vehicle history.
Read guideHow to Decode a WMI (World Manufacturer Identifier)
The first three characters of a VIN are the WMI. Learn how to decode the region and manufacturer from a VIN and what the WMI can and cannot tell you.
Read guideHow to Find a VIN from a License Plate
You can resolve a license plate to a VIN with a plate lookup. Learn how it works, what privacy law limits, and how to run the full history from there.
Read guideHow to Find a Motorcycle VIN
Motorcycle VINs hide in a few specific spots. Learn where to find the VIN on a bike, how to decode it, and how to check a used motorcycle history.
Read guideReports & records
How to Read a Vehicle History Report
A vehicle history report has five sections that matter. Learn how to read the title, odometer, theft, lien, and recall data and spot the red flags.
Read guideHow to Read a Carfax Report (and What to Watch For)
Learn how to read a vehicle history report section by section, what the common icons and events mean, and the limits every history report shares.
Read guideHow to Check a Car Title Status
A clean-looking title can hide a brand applied in another state. Learn how to check a car title status by VIN and catch title washing before you buy.
Read guideFraud & red flags
How to Avoid Curbstoners When Buying a Used Car
Curbstoners are unlicensed dealers posing as private sellers, often flipping salvage or flood cars. Learn the warning signs and how to check before you buy.
Read guideHow to Check if a Car Is Stolen
Buying a stolen car can mean losing both the car and your money. Learn how to check a VIN for theft records, verify the VIN plates, and confirm the seller.
Read guideBuying safely
How to Value a Used Car Before You Buy
Learn how to value a used car step by step — from book values to condition and history adjustments — so you never overpay for a branded or high-risk vehicle.
Read guideHow to Negotiate a Used Car Price
The best negotiating leverage is documented facts. Learn how to use a valuation, a history report, and an inspection to negotiate a fair used-car price.
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