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Research: A used car with a clean history – mission (im)possible?

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A carVertical report provides detailed vehicle history, helping you make informed decisions when buying or selling a used car. In just a few minutes, you can check if a car has been in an accident, had mileage rollbacks, or has other undisclosed issues.

Follow this simple step-by-step guide to get your report.

Step-by-step: How to get a carVertical report

To check a vehicle’s history, you’ll need its 

 (Vehicle Identification Number). This unique 17-character code acts like a car’s fingerprint, containing details about its manufacturing and providing access to its history.

You can find the VIN in these common locations:

: Registration, insurance, or ownership papers.

2. Create a carVertical account (or log in)

 at the top right corner. You can create an account using your email or sign up with Facebook, Google, or Apple ID.

Once logged in, go to the homepage and type the VIN of the vehicle you want to check into the 

Select from available options to check 1, 2, or 3 cars. Pick the package that best suits your needs and click 

On the checkout page, select your preferred payment method. Enter your payment details and click 

Your report will be generated in just a few moments. You can view it in your web browser, check it in the carVertical app, or 

. Once logged in, you can get a new report from any page containing the 

The system will not ask for payment and will let you use the remaining credits instead.

 from the date of purchase. If you have leftover credits, log into your account anytime within this period and redeem your reports.

Still have questions? If you need more help understanding how to get a carVertical report, feel free to 

If you've purchased more than one carVertical report, your 

. One credit allows you to generate one vehicle history report, and you can use them anytime to check another vehicle’s history.

Here’s where to find your remaining credits and how to use them.

. The number of remaining credits will be visible at the top of the menu.

 (Vehicle Identification Number) – a unique 17-character code assigned to every vehicle. It contains important details about the car’s specifications and past, including accidents, mileage, and theft records.

 at the top right corner. You can log in using your email, Facebook, Google, or Apple ID.

Once logged in, go to the carVertical homepage and enter the VIN into the 

, and your available credit will be automatically used to generate the report.

 from the date of purchase. You can check the exact expiration date in your carVertical account under 

Once a report is generated, it is saved in your carVertical account under 

. There, you can check not only your generated reports but also their remaining validity period.

 For more details on report availability, 

Still have questions? If you need more help understanding how to use your report credits, feel free to 

1. Make sure you’re actually using the VIN number

 – sometimes, users mistakenly enter the engine number, chassis number, or another identifier instead of the VIN. Here’s how the VIN should look like:

Meanwhile, other identifiers, such as the chassis or registration number, not only look different but also serve different purposes:

carVertical can only check 17-character VINs.

 If you're using the old VIN standard, a chassis number, or entering a license plate number instead of the VIN, we won’t be able to generate a report.

2. Check for typos when entering your VIN

Sometimes, a simple typing mistake can cause an 

 error. Check whether you’re making any of these common VIN entry mistakes that can lead to this error:

 VINs must be 17 characters long. If yours is shorter or longer, it’s invalid, and we can’t generate a report.

"5" and "S" or "4" and "A" are often confused.

VINs never include O (o), I (i), or Q (q) to prevent confusion with numbers 0, 1, and 9.

Make sure there are no spaces before or after the VIN when entering it.

3. Confirm the VIN with the vehicle seller or owner

 error after verifying everything yourself, it’s a good idea to double-check the number directly with the vehicle’s seller or current owner. They may provide you with an updated or corrected VIN – sometimes VIN plates can be hard to read, or mistakes happen when numbers are written down or communicated.

Send a clear photo of the VIN as it appears on the vehicle.

Cross-check the VIN on the vehicle with the one listed on registration or insurance documents.

If everything appears correct and you’re still experiencing issues entering your VIN, feel free to 

Sometimes, a report may not appear immediately after purchase. This can happen due to various reasons, but don’t worry – we’ll help you find it! Here’s how to locate your report and troubleshoot any issues.

 (or 64 seconds, to be exact!). The service runs 24/7 and reports are generated automatically, so you can use them at any time.

 at the top right corner. You can log in using your email or sign up with Facebook, Google, or Apple ID.

 section in your carVertical account, where you'll find all your previously purchased reports. There, you can check not only your generated reports but also their remaining validity period.

30 days from the time they were generated. 

For more details on report availability, 

If you haven’t received your report, make sure to:

Verify that your payment was successful by checking your bank statement. If the transaction didn’t go through, try making the payment again.

The report will also be sent to your email after purchase. Look in your Spam, Promotions, or Ads folders – it might have been filtered there.

3. Ensure you’re logged into the correct account

If you have multiple emails or accounts, make sure you’re logged into the account you used for the purchase.

If everything appears correct and you’re still experiencing issues finding your report, feel free to 

Signing up with the wrong email address happens more often than you'd think! Don't worry – this guide will help you understand your options and ensure you can still access your carVertical reports.

If you signed up with an email address that is not your preferred one, but it exists and you can access it, here’s what you can do:

 – Even if it's not your preferred email, you can still log in and access 

 – You can update your email in your carVertical account to avoid future confusion.

If the email is incorrect (invalid or inaccessible)

If you entered an incorrect email (e.g., made a typo or entered a non-existent address), you won't be able to activate your carVertical account or receive reports via email.

 with the correct email for future purchases – this ensures you get your reports both in your inbox and in your carVertical account.

Additionally, it will allow you to reset your account password if you forget it.

If you've created an account with the wrong email and want to update it:

3. Update your email address to the correct one and click 

To avoid email issues, you can also sign up using:

This way, you won’t need to remember an email or password – just log in with your preferred platform.

Forgetting your password can be frustrating, but don't worry – we’ll help you get back into your account quickly. Follow the steps below to reset your password and regain access.

 button at the top-right corner of the carVertical website.

3. Enter the email address linked to your carVertical account and click 

4. Check your inbox for an email from carVertical with a password reset link.

5. Click the link and follow the instructions to create a new password. Once done, click 

 and enter your new password to access your account.

Didn’t receive the password reset email?

 Check your spam folder. If it’s not there, make sure you entered the correct email address.

 Try again with the email you used to create your carVertical account.

 Request a new reset email by repeating the steps above.

Once you've reset your password, you can log in and continue using carVertical without issues. If you ever forget it again, just repeat these steps!

Note that by deleting your account you may miss out on any new carVertical products, services, and exclusive deals. If you still want out, we’ll be sad to see you go!

If you no longer want to receive carVertical newsletters, unsubscribing is quick and easy. Here’s how to do it.

 link at the bottom of any carVertical newsletter email.

Once you unsubscribe, you’ll no longer receive promotional emails, but you may still get important service-related messages (such as purchase confirmations).

If you prefer, you can request to unsubscribe by contacting our support team. There are different ways to do it:

 option (you can access this icon from any page).

 section and let us know that you want to unsubscribe. We’ll process your request as soon as possible.

If your carVertical report has expired, you might be wondering if there’s a way to retrieve it. This guide will explain how report expiration works and how to ensure you always have your vehicle history report when you need it.

 from the moment it is generated. After this period, it expires and is no longer accessible in your account.

To prevent losing access to your report, we recommend 

 worldwide. Since vehicle history can change over time (e.g., new accidents, updated mileage records, ownership changes, etc.), we ensure that reports remain 

If we allowed access to older reports, buyers and sellers 

, which could be misleading. To maintain accuracy, expired reports are removed from the system.

All purchased and available reports are stored in your 

There, you can check not only your generated reports but also their remaining validity period.

If your report has expired and you still need vehicle history information, you can 

Still have questions? If you need more help understanding how reports work, feel free to 

If you need to save or print your carVertical report, you can easily download it as a PDF. This guide will walk you through the process step by step.

 section. There, you’ll find all your previously purchased reports.

Open the report you want to save by clicking 

 button located below the VIN code at the top of the report. You can also find this button at the bottom of the report.

The PDF will be saved to your device and ready for offline access or printing.

Once you've downloaded the report, you can print it by following these steps:

 (e.g., page size, color or black & white).

Still have questions? If you experience any issues downloading or printing your report, feel free to 

Account & troubleshooting

carVertical helps you uncover a vehicle’s history by 

 from trusted sources worldwide, and compiling it into an easily-readable vehicle history report.

, including government registries, damage data databases, law enforcement agencies, and more. Here’s how it works:

 (Vehicle Identification Number) is a unique 17-character code assigned to every vehicle. It serves as the car’s fingerprint, containing essential information about its history.

When you enter a VIN on our website, our system uses it to search for records in various databases across 40+ countries. We typically check:

2. carVertical cleans and sorts collected data

The data we receive from these sources is typically raw and requires several steps of processing. We fix errors and inconsistencies, translate the data (if necessary), and sort information into relevant categories.

3. We assign the data into relevant report sections

Once we gather all available records, we group information types into our report sections.

For example, if we have 3 odometer readings and the dates when they were taken, they will appear in the 

 section of the report. Meanwhile, the technical inspection information will be in the 

4. We use statistical models and insights to enrich the report

The data has been processed for the carVertical report, but further work is needed using statistical models and other technologies to refine and enhance it. These models help provide insights, such as comparing a car’s mileage with similar vehicles.

5. You receive a comprehensive vehicle history report

, and use it to make a well-informed decision before purchasing a used vehicle.

Still have questions? If you need more help understanding how carVertical works, feel free to 

, or Vehicle Identification Number, is a unique 17-character code assigned to every. It acts as a fingerprint, containing essential details about the car, such as its manufacturer, model year, production location, and unique serial number.

The VIN is also crucial for verifying the vehicle’s authenticity, recording various events during its lifetime, and ensuring it hasn’t been stolen or tampered with.

 – Check the driver’s side near the windshield.

 – Look along the side pillar of the driver’s door frame, often near the door hinge.

 – Check the frame near the front of the vehicle, often on the driver’s side, near the wheel well.

Some manufacturers place the VIN near the engine block.

 – Typically stamped or engraved on the steering head of the motorcycle, which is the part of the frame that connects to the front fork.

 – Some motorcycles may have the VIN located on the frame rail, which is a structural part of the chassis running along the sides of the bike.

 – In rare cases, the VIN may be stamped or engraved on the bottom of the engine.

vehicle registration, insurance, and ownership documents

. Always ensure the VIN on the vehicle matches the one on the paperwork.

You can also decode a VIN manually if you know what each character represents. However, this can be time-consuming, as manufacturers use different encoding systems for vehicle details.

WMI – World Manufacturer Identifier (Characters 1-3): 

Typically identifies the vehicle’s manufacturer and country of origin.

VDS – Vehicle Descriptor Section (Characters 4-8): 

Reveals the vehicle’s brand, body style, engine size, and model type, and similar details.

 A security code calculated using a mathematical formula to validate the VIN’s authenticity.

VIS – Vehicle Identifier Section (Characters 10-17):

 Characters 10 and 11 indicate the model year and assembly plant, while characters 12 to 17 represent the vehicle's unique serial number.

consistent, clear, and match official records

. Here are key warning signs that a VIN might be fake or altered:

Physical tampering signs (cratches, uneven paint, altered VIN plate)

VIN location mismatch (unusual or non-standard location)

Check digit mismatch (doesn’t match the calculated value)

Non-matching documents (VIN on the vehicle doesn’t match the one on its documents), etc.

Still have questions? If you need any help with your VIN, feel free to 

carVertical reports are generated almost instantly! You’ll typically receive your report 

 – or 64 seconds, to be precise. Our system works 24/7, so you can generate your report anytime, day or night.

Once the report is ready, it will be available in your 

If you don’t see your report right away, follow these steps to find it:

 them if needed. For more details on report availability, 

If your report doesn’t appear, here are a few things to check:

 – Make sure your payment was successful by verifying your bank statement. If the transaction didn’t go through, try making the payment again.

Reports are also sent via email. Look in your Spam, Promotions, or Ads folders in case it was filtered.

 If you have multiple emails or accounts, make sure you’re logged into the account you used for the purchase.

If everything appears correct and you still don’t see your report, feel free to 

, including state registries, law enforcement agencies, service records, and other databases. Each report may contain different sections depending on the data available for a specific vehicle.

Below is an overview of the key sections that may appear in your report. You can also check a 

 to see what's typically included and how it looks.

What information is included in a carVertical report?

This section lists reported accidents, their severity, and repair costs to help you assess the vehicle’s condition. Additionally, the 

 card highlights cases where there are signs of possible accidents, such as repair cost estimations or body shop evaluations.

This section displays recorded odometer readings to detect potential rollbacks and ensure the vehicle's mileage is accurate.

This section verifies if the car has been reported stolen in various databases worldwide.

This section shows previous ownership history, including how many owners the car has had.

 (e.g., salvage, rebuilt, junk) that may signal past severe damage (for the vehicles used or registered in the US).

This section lists the vehicle’s original factory specifications, such as engine type, fuel consumption, and dimensions.

This section provides an estimated market price based on current trends to help you determine if a vehicle is fairly priced.

This section lists official safety ratings and recalls related to the vehicle.

This section displays historical images of the vehicle when available, helping you spot previous damage or modifications.

This section shows details about any financial or legal issues associated with the vehicle. This can include financial restrictions, e.g., leases, and legal information, such as the last technical inspection (and its result) and scrap overview.

This section indicates if the car was used as a taxi, rental, or fleet vehicle, which can impact wear and tear.

This section details the vehicle’s emissions rating, which can be important for environmental regulations and fuel efficiency.

This section provides a chronological overview of the vehicle’s history, including ownership changes, inspections, and major events.

Why some data may be missing from the report?

Not all sections may appear in every carVertical report. Here’s why:

Some events are never officially reported

 – If an accident, repair, or mileage update wasn’t logged in a database, it won’t be included in the report.

 – Some countries restrict access to certain vehicle data.

 – A recently manufactured vehicle or one without a recorded history may have limited data available.

Administrative errors or reporting inconsistencies

 from data providers can affect the depth of the report.

 – If no damage, theft, or odometer fraud has been reported, the report will confirm that no issues were found.

Still have questions? If you need more help understanding the information in carVertical reports, feel free to 

When checking a vehicle’s history, choosing the right source makes all the difference. carVertical delivers reports that help buyers see the full picture and make informed choices with confidence.

Here are the key advantages that make carVertical different:

 including state registries, law enforcement, auto repair shops, and various third-party providers.

 making it ideal for checking local and imported vehicles.

2. Exclusive insights you won’t find elsewhere

 forms the foundation of our reports, additional processing helps uncover deeper insights. We apply statistical models and other technologies to enhance the information before presenting it in a clear and user-friendly way.

This means that instead of just listing numbers and records, 

 to help you better understand a vehicle’s history.

3. User-friendly and visually appealing reports

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Research: A used car with a clean history – mission (im)possible?

Success story: how HDI Assicurazioni fights fraudulent insurance claims with history reports

Most clocked cars 2024: which models are more likely to have their odometer altered?

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