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Tadas Švenčionis

Clients and business partners often ask us: how are carVertical vehicle history reports created? Where does the data come from?

These questions are understandable – car history reports can turn up some truly unexpected information. Not too long ago, car buyers had to rely on the honesty of sellers and their mechanic’s expertise to get a decent used car.

Well, as much as we’d like to have magical powers, the truth is simpler and more interesting. In this article, we’ll look at how carVertical reports are made.

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The VIN: the key to unlocking your vehicle’s history

Almost every car manufactured after 1981 has a unique 17-character VIN, which acts as the vehicle’s fingerprint. The VIN is used by various institutions – like the police, insurance companies, and service centres – to record major events in a car’s life. Accidents, thefts, mileage checks, ownership changes, and much more are logged with this number.

Because we live in a digital age, most of this data is stored in open and private databases. The VIN is our key to getting that data.

How carVertical reports are created: a behind-the-scenes look

While the report is simple and easy to understand, the technical process behind it is complex, dynamic, and always evolving. Here’s a look at how we turn raw data into clear, actionable insights for you.

When you enter the VIN on the carVertical app or website, we automatically search through over 900 data sources across 40+ countries. This includes:

2. Cleaning the data and sorting it into usable pieces

The data we receive from various sources is typically raw and requires several steps of processing. Let’s use an example to illustrate this procedure:

Imagine we receive a Swedish document for a black Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 with 5,000 Scandinavian miles (50,000 km) on the odometer, dated June 12, 2021. Before we can use this information, we need to:

Fix any errors/inconsistencies. Data is often manually entered into systems, leading to typos or other mistakes.

Sort the information into relevant categories, such as:

We can now group this data with info from other found records, and use it to generate the report.

3. Assigning the sorted-out pieces of data to relevant report sections

To have a closer look at how data becomes a part of the carVertical report, let’s take the same black Mercedes.

We know from the above document that it had 50,000 km on the odometer at the time this information was recorded.

The reason “we” (meaning, the carVertical system) knows this is because we’ve analysed the document and isolated these 3 pieces of information – “Odometer value: 5,000,” “Odometer unit: Scandinavian miles,” and “Record date: 12 June, 2021.”

Now let’s imagine we’ve found 2 more data records on this Mercedes, offering the following information:

Technical inspection date: 7 September, 2023

This information tells quite a story – we just have to put it together.

To do that, we group information types into our report sections. For example, we have 3 odometer readings and the dates when they were taken. These will appear in the Odometer section of the report. Meanwhile, the technical inspection information will be in the Legal status and Timeline sections, etc.

4. Using statistical models to generate insights and perform fixes

So we now have the data and it has been processed for use in a carVertical report. But there’s still more work to be done “under the hood” – mainly using statistical models and other technological solutions to fix issues and enrich the report.

There are too many uses for these technologies to name, but as an example, we use statistical models to provide additional insights to users (e.g., we can compare the mileage of our example Mercedes with other cars of the same model, age, etc.).

This process works both ways: we use statistical models to enrich the current report, and we use data from the current report to enrich our statistical models.

At this point, all the information we’ve gathered, cleaned, sorted, and enriched is used to generate a carVertical report. Let’s return to our Mercedes for a final example. Here’s what its Odometer section might look like:

While this black Mercedes may seem appealing, the above graph should make any potential buyer think twice!

From the report, users would also learn about the car’s journey – arriving in Sweden, being sold to another owner in Sweden, and finally ending up in Finland. Using statistical models, we can also provide the price range for this model of car, as well as an average mileage graph (although the latter would not change much, considering the mileage rollback!), and more.

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Damages, mileage readings, and everything else: Which data comes from what sources?

Without discussing specific databases or sources of specific information in our reports, we can look at some general rules for where certain types of data may come from.

Before we do that, however, it’s important to understand a couple of things:

The same type of information can come from different types of sources. E.g., mileage records (even the same record) can come from a maintenance visit, a police record, or elsewhere.

There’s a lot of variety from country to country. The same types of institutions may have different record-keeping roles in systems depending on the country.

So, where might you find those damage records, odometer readings, and other details?

carVertical is ISO/IEC 27001:2017 certified

As a company dealing with a lot of data, we take security very seriously. To prove our commitment, 

carVertical has earned ISO/IEC 27001:2017 certification

 – the global standard for information security.

To receive ISO/IEC 27001:2017 certification, a company has to implement tools and procedures to protect all verbal, written, and electronic information received, sent, created, managed, and used from all possible threats: external, internal, intentional, or accidental.

This certification means we’ve put in place strict measures to protect all verbal, written, and electronic information from any threats—be they external, internal, accidental, or intentional.

What does this mean for you? Your personal data, report data, and financial details are all protected by top-tier security systems. Want more details? Check out 

our Information Security Policy and Information Security Management System (ISMS)

The carVertical report is simple and easy to read, but there’s a lot that goes into that simplicity. Our Data Department is a good reflection of this: carVertical currently has almost 200 employees, and as much as 15% of them work on data.

That’s a significant number of people who are good at maths!

Data Acquisition focuses on gathering raw data

Data Engineering is responsible for building and maintaining our data infrastructure and pipelines

Machine Learning Engineering develops and deploys machine learning models

Data Analytics analyses data to extract insights and inform business decisions

Each of these teams plays a crucial role in making the carVertical report – we literally would not exist without them!

Why aren’t carVertical reports free?

Is it possible to find all the data myself?

carVertical data sources: How history reports are created

Renata Liubertaitė

Damage history is one of the key considerations when buying a car. Sadly, some accidents do not appear in accessible databases, making them more difficult to learn about.

One of the ways we are addressing this problem is through AI, which helps us identify damages from the Photo section of our vehicle history report. Even if there’s no damage record, we may now be able to spot past accidents and warn our users.

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Our AI can now analyse the Photos section of the vehicle history report and identify whether a vehicle has been damaged in the past.

Sometimes, we do not have access to a damage record, but we do have photos of a vehicle with visible damages. In the past, this would not be displayed in the damage section of our report.

By analysing vehicle photos, our AI damage feature can spot visible damages. If this happens, the record will now appear in the damage section of the report. This reduces the chances that our users will miss it – regardless of the available damage records.

A picture is worth a thousand words, goes the old saying. This is even truer with AI doing the looking, but do not count yourself out, either.

Photos can tell you what questions you need to ask the seller before sealing the deal. So always check the Photo section in the carVertical history report for more insights.

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Why should you always check the vehicle for damage?

Knowing the vehicle’s damage history before buying it allows you to uncover potential weak spots and avoid bad deals. Always check the damage history to:

Ensure your safety. Accidents, especially high-impact ones, can cause structural damage to a vehicle's frame or chassis. This damage may not always be visible but can weaken the vehicle's structure, compromising your safety on the road.

Minimise financial risk. Buying a car with undisclosed damages may lead to expensive repairs, a lower resale value, and more difficulty to sell in general.

Enjoy peace of mind. Knowing that your car or motorcycle is in good condition can help you feel safer and happier. It can eliminate worries about unexpected breakdowns and make you feel more confident about your decision.

Why some damage records may be absent from reports

Vehicle history reports rely on information from various reputable sources, including law enforcement databases, state registries, insurance databases, auto repair shops, connected vehicle fleets, and many more.

However, reports may sometimes lack damage records, even if the vehicle has been in an accident. Here are a few potential reasons why:

No one reported the damage. In some cases, individuals may choose not to report an accident to the relevant authorities or insurance companies. Hence, there’s no record in the database that can be included in a vehicle history report.

Human error. If the accident was not properly documented, it may not appear in the vehicle history report.

Delay in reporting. It's possible that an accident was reported, but there is a delay before the data enters a database.

What type of car damage is the most common?

Is it safe to buy a car that has been in an accident?

What causes structural damage to a car?

How do you check for frame damage on a car?

Our new AI damage feature can identify collisions from vehicle photos

Evaldas Zabitis

Used car buyers can find great deals in the United States, but since most vehicles imported from there are damaged, it is essential to know how severe the damage is. That is where car titles come in handy – salvage, flood, fire, and other records make the title “branded,” and carVertical history reports can reveal brands for you.

Here, we look deeper into car titles and see how our new Title Check feature can ease your purchase.

Don't risk your safety - check it with carVertical first

Looks can be deceiving!

A certificate of title (car title) is like a vehicle’s ID in the United States. It is a document that proves ownership of the car and displays its vehicle identification number (VIN), car make and model, owner’s name, odometer reading, and other essential information. Only a state’s DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) can issue a car title.

When a vehicle experiences damages or other significant events, its title may receive a “brand” that lasts for the car’s lifetime. Brand types vary depending on the event, and some of the most common brands are:

Each brand warns about specific dangers. For instance, Salvage vehicles were damaged to the point where the repair costs exceeded a jurisdiction-defined percentage of the vehicle's retail value. Hail-damaged vehicles usually have dents and cracks. Prior taxi and police cars may have a high mileage, torn seats, a worn steering wheel, and more mechanical issues.

Titles without brands earn the label "clean" because the car has had no brand-worthy events or has undergone the necessary process to clear the title.

Needless to say, information about car title brands is crucial when buying a vehicle from the US.

carVertical Title check feature: what is it and how does it work?

Alongside other important information, carVertical reports can inform you:

The type of brand or brands it has (yes, a vehicle can have more than one).

This information can help you uncover various issues before buying a car from the USA.

A car title check may even reveal information that can be hard to learn otherwise. For example, an odometer rollback is one of the most common scams in the used car market, but if the history of mileage records is not available, you can easily become a victim.

Fortunately, when odometer discrepancies or issues are detected in the US, the car receives one of the odometer-related titles, such as Not Actual, Altered, Tampering, Replaced, etc., warning you that the numbers on the odometer may not reflect the reality.

Moreover, even though all cars in the U.S. must have titles, sellers often say they’re lost or destroyed. Therefore, checking online may be the only way to know if the title is branded.

The new Title check feature in carVertical history report lets you learn a lot of information when buying a used vehicle from the United States. Information about potential problems and weak spots can help you to inspect the car properly and make a better decision.

Is a title important in a car?

What is a branded car title?

How to check a car title?

Importing cars from the US made easy: Introducing the Title Check feature in the carVertical report

Not all vehicles are equally safe and reliable, so doing a safety check is crucial when buying a car. But how many of us do?

We’re thrilled to introduce the Safety feature to our reports. Alongside other essential data, users can now easily access a vehicle’s safety information, including safety ratings and recalls, in one place.

This addition aims to help used car buyers understand how safe the vehicle is and make better purchase decisions.

Introducing the carVertical report Safety feature

 will include a Safety section if vehicle safety information is available. This new feature will enable you to:

Quickly check the vehicle’s safety ratings and

Depending on your location, your vehicle history report will include safety ratings from one of the three main car safety assessment programmes: NHTSA, Euro NCAP, or ANCAP.

An overall vehicle safety score (from 1 to 5 stars)

Results for specific tested areas (in percentage (Euro NCAP and ANCAP) or stars (NHTSA))

Safety ratings allow you to learn about the vehicle’s ability to protect passengers in various scenarios and better assess the effectiveness of its safety features, such as airbags, seat belts, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

Hence, this can help you identify cars with higher safety standards, potentially reducing the risk of injury or even fatalities in accidents.

Additionally, the Safety section of the report will provide information about car safety recalls, if any. Next to each recall, you will see its status (Active, Solved, or Unknown) and other available information, such as when it was announced, recall number, risk, and similar.

Some recalls can also include a more comprehensive description of the issue to help you better understand the problem.

This particular warning is crucial for safety, as used car owners are not always aware of recalls affecting their vehicles.

This happens mostly because manufacturers send recall notices only once – to the current owner. Due to factors like secondhand ownership or limited awareness of the automotive news, you may not even know that a car you own or are about to own is dangerous to drive.

A well-maintained and undamaged car is the most reliable! Check any VIN code to make sure you're not buying a wreck:

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If a vehicle’s safety performance score is low or the recall indicates a high safety risk and repairs are not promptly available, it's generally recommended to consider other options.

What are car safety ratings and how are they calculated?

A car safety rating is an evaluation of how well a vehicle protects its occupants in emergency situations (e.g., crashes). It’s determined based on a series of internationally recognised crash tests and safety assessments conducted by independent organisations or governmental agencies, such as the:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the United States.

European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP).

Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), and other regional or national agencies globally.

Since all these organisations operate in different regions, there may be differences in the specific tests conducted and the criteria used.

 program. The agency conducts frontal, side, and rollover resistance tests, which account for the majority of crashes in the country.

The Overall Vehicle Score considers the chances of getting hurt in these accidents.

 also use a five-star system, calculated based on the assessment of four areas:

Adult Occupant Protection (for the driver and passenger), determined from frontal impact, lateral impact, and whiplash tests.

Child Occupant Protection, determined by testing how well child safety features work.

Vulnerable Road Users, determined by testing how well vehicles protect vulnerable road users – pedestrians and cyclists – with whom they might collide.

Safety Assist, determined by evaluating driver-assistance and crash-avoidance technologies.

The five-star rating was introduced to add more flexibility to the previous rating scheme, but you can generally find both the overall rating and individual results for the mentioned areas.

 are largely aligned with the organisation’s European counterpart, Euro NCAP. Therefore, the overall score is also determined based on crash tests and safety assessments of on-board safety features.

In some cases, ANCAP may adapt certain aspects to better suit the Australian and New Zealand markets.

What are car recalls and why do they matter?

A car recall is a process initiated to address and fix safety-related defects found in vehicles already sold to consumers. These can be anything from faulty radio wiring to problems with engine components.

The process of initiating car recalls varies slightly across regions. While car recalls are typically issued by manufacturers, relevant authorities (e.g., the NHTSA or European Commission) can also initiate a recall after receiving multiple reports on the same safety-related issue.

Overall, a car recall is critical for ensuring the safety and reliability of vehicles on the road. Acting on an issued recall promptly can help prevent accidents and injuries resulting from the identified defects.

How do you check car safety?

How do I find my car's NCAP rating?

What determines the safety of a car?

New carVertical report Safety feature – avoid dangerous vehicles

Catastrophic acts of nature may not be something you consider when buying a used car. But they should be.

We are happy to introduce the Natural Disasters feature to our report. It will check whether a vehicle may have been located in an area affected by calamities like floods, volcanic eruptions, or tropical cyclones. Hopefully, this will help users avoid vehicles impacted by water damage, fire damage, or other misfortunes.

carVertical Natural Disasters feature: what is it and how does it work?

From the available data, the new carVertical Natural Disasters section will suggest whether the vehicle’s location has been recorded in the area hit by a natural disaster, such as a flood, volcanic eruption, or tropical cyclone, around the time it occurred.

Business

carVertical data sources: How history reports are created

Our new AI damage feature can identify collisions from vehicle photos

Importing cars from the US made easy: Introducing the Title Check feature in the carVertical report

New carVertical report Safety feature – avoid dangerous vehicles

Avoid damaged cars with our new Natural Disasters report feature

How much does an accident devalue a car?