If you are looking to know all there is to know about your car, a VIN decoder is one of your best bets. However, because there are numerous VIN decoders, it may be confusing to choose the ideal VIN decoder. This is why this guide helps.
To understand your vehicle properly, you need a VIN check. The VIN check refers to the process of decoding the VIN that comes with your vehicle. The VIN is an abbreviation that stands for a vehicle identification number. This number is a code and it contains all the information about the vehicle.
This 17-character code holds salient information about the vehicle, such as the details about its production, the details of legal documentation of the vehicle, the history of past usage on the vehicle, and many more. Essentially, with this code, you get to understand your vehicle better and know how to purchase, use, and maintain it.
However, you cannot access these pieces of information without decoding the VIN, and this is why the VIN check comes in. VIN Check involves the use of a VIN checker to decode and extract these pieces of information from the VIN.
In this article, we review five of the best, free, and most popular online tools that allow you to decode and obtain information about your vehicle. This way, you get updated details about your vehicle without spending a dime.
VIN Check Free
VIN Check Free is one of the most widely used VIN checkers or decoders available online right now. The website is the preferred option because it has benefits over many other alternatives. One of these advantages is that using the website is free of charge. VIN checker at VIN Check Free is free to use. Just log in, enter your VIN, and wait for your report to show up.
It is important to note that the wait for the report is only a short time, and it is another feature that adds to the appeal of the VIN checker. Its outstanding, lightning-quick response time is a key factor in why the website is well-sought after by experts in the automotive industry.
Pros
- It is free to use and open-source.
- It generates reliable and precise results.
- It also offered a free license plate lookup. Check here to know your car by the license plate.
- It is easy to use.
- The user interface of the website is appealing.
Cons
- On the website, there is no contact information.
Ford VIN Decoder
As the name suggests, this VIN decoder only works for vehicles made by Ford Motor Company. As long as your automobile has a Ford engine, you may use the Ford VIN decoder to decode your VIN and access important information about it wherever you are.
It’s important to understand that the company that developed this VIN decoder is not Ford Motors. It is an internet tool made available by a third party to give Ford car owners, irrespective of model, access to precise and dependable information on their vehicles.
The Ford VIN decoder only works with Ford cars, but it has all the essential features you’d expect from a top-notch VIN decoder.
For instance, the free and easy-to-use Ford VIN decoder provides accurate details and information on your Ford vehicles.
Pros
- It is free to use and open-source.
- It provides reliable and accurate information about Ford vehicles.
- It is easy to use.
Cons
- Ford vehicles are the only ones that work with the VIN decoder.
VINPIT
In addition to free reports, license plate lookup, VIN checking, and VIN decoding, VINPit provides a wide array of other lookup services.
With the help of VINpit’s free vehicle history report, you can find out information about the car’s features, the year it was built, the state where it was purchased, and its rental history. There is also a comprehensive report available that includes the mileage, total miles driven, and the used car’s current market value. You can learn more about a manufacturer recall, the car’s equipment, and its prior sales history using VINpit.
Pros
- Positive odometer readings that are correct and reliable
- Enables you to view images of the car in various locations
- A thorough auto review that offers excellent value for the money.
Cons
- It is not completely free.
CARFAX
You may look up a vehicle’s history using its VIN on the CARFAX website. Both private sellers and used car buyers can use this VIN checker. The report from this website can be used by buyers to steer clear of con artists and by sellers to negotiate the greatest price for their automobiles.
CARFAX is one of a select few reliable VIN checking websites, with claims to have access to 100,000 sources and numerous years of experience offering VIN checking services. CARFAX obtains its information from a variety of sources, including DMVs, insurance providers, police forces, and auction houses.
You can get information from CARFAX on accidents, rentals, services, kind of use, ownership history, and other things.
Pros
- Uses over 100,000 databases
- Over its lengthy history in the auto industry, it has been proven to be reliable.
- Offers valuable information to help the used automobile sales sector.
- It has a mobile app that you can use
Cons
- A single report may seem too costly
- No support service through phone calls
VinNumberLookup
This is currently one of the best and most reliable websites to check a vehicle’s VIN. You can use the website to obtain trusted and correct information on your car without spending a thing. VinNumberLookup relies on trustworthy sources and databases, including those of governmental organizations and commercial insurance providers that employ open-source databases.
The website’s ability to check the VIN of vehicles other than that of a particular vehicle brand is another significant function. As if that weren’t enough, the website also reads information from the license plates of vehicles.
Pros
- Its use is free.
- To find out information about autos, it makes use of trustworthy databases and data sources.
- It enables you to look up information on license plate details as well.
Cons
- It does not support complex searches.
Why Should I Do a VIN Check on a Used Car?
The following are some of the reasons why you should do a VIN check on a used vehicle;
To Determine if the Car has been Recalled
A recall is issued when a manufacturer or a traffic safety administration organization determines that a vehicle or a set of tires represents an undue safety risk or falls short of the necessary minimum standards. You may find out about the recall by using a VIN.
To Determine If the Car is Accident
As you are already aware, a VIN provides information on both minor and major accidents as well as other information that can be used to determine whether the car has been in an accident. You may find out about significant accidents an automobile has been in and whether it has been repaired using the VIN.
Conclusion
There has been a need for a reputable VIN lookup service for a very long time. This is because drivers, auto dealers, and buyers and sellers of automobiles constantly need accurate information on the vehicles they are purchasing or selling. These details are not publicly accessible. VINs are important because of this, and VIN decoders let you get the data from VIN checkers.
Read This: Why Do We Need a VIN Lookup Before Buying Cars?
Michael C Vang is a passionate blogger. He has been blogging since 2013 on a variety of topics. He is committed to creating informative and engaging content that helps readers learn more about everything.
