With used cars, it is so easy to get blinded by the glitter of the car outside, or maybe by the performance of the engine or mileage.
Besides all that excitement, very important things can be given a miss: the history, especially some secrets that might have been kept hidden from you, such as past accidents, ownership disputes, or even title fraud.
In fact, purchasing a secondhand car can just be a leap of faith if one does not know something about its past. The license plate check is one of the most effortless and effective means through which you can be certain you are making a sound investment.
The following article will show just how license plate checks are able to reveal critical information from a vehicle’s history, why it is an indispensable tool for every car buyer, and how a buyer can get the most from it.
We’ll also discuss how the Free License Plate Check | VinGurus can help you access crucial data that gives you confidence in your car-buying decision.
What is a License Plate Check?
Performing a license plate check, only by entering the license number into an online database, is one of the fastest and easiest methods of attaining valuable information about any vehicle.
This may be the most straightforward way to research a vehicle’s history because it could provide insight not just into ownership records, accident history, and maintenance records, but so much more.
A license plate check will also show you all serious accidents the car was involved in, whether it has been stolen, has any pending recalls, or if it’s ever been reported for fraud.
Using a service like VinGurus, you’ll instantly get a report showing all this crucial information to help you avoid buying a problematic or unsafe vehicle.
Why You Should Use a License Plate Check Before Buying a Used Car
1. Uncover Hidden Accidents and Damage
While the car may look pretty and swell outside, the actual condition may be different. Whereas the seller may be quite honest in regards to minor dings or scratches, they may not always divulge a past accident if that accident was serious.
The license plate check will provide accident reports on whether the vehicle has ever been involved in a major crash, flood, or fire.
These could be accidents that did not leave visible damage but may have caused damage to unseen critical components, such as the engine, frame, or electrical components, which could be costly to repair in the future.
2. Verify Ownership and Avoid Title Fraud
The worst is that title fraud is quite prevalent in the used car market. Unsavory vendors may want to get rid of a stolen or salvaged vehicle, concealing important information such as the car’s history.
A license plate check will confirm how many owners have owned this car before and verify if the seller has the right to sell it. It can also show whether the car has ever been reported as stolen, saving you from buying a car that could be seized by the police.
3. Check for Recalls and Safety Issues
Manufacturer recalls are put in place when a vehicle has either a safety defect or parts need to be replaced. While most car owners deal with recalls, not everyone does.
A license plate check will show you any active recalls on the car so you can verify if all safety repairs have taken place. For instance, a vehicle with an outstanding recall on airbags or braking systems would pose an actual safety risk.
4. Access Maintenance and Service Records
The longevity and performance of every vehicle depend on the scheduled maintenance that one is able to give it.
Though the seller might claim that he has serviced the car as required, the license plate check will prove this by showing whether the car has been serviced on routine basis or not.
You’ll know from the report what the last time was when the car had its servicing, the nature of the repair, and whether key components of the vehicle such as transmission or the engine had ever been replaced.
5. Confirm Mileage and Prevent Odometer Fraud
Odometer fraud would be another issue that buyers should be aware of with possible untrustful sales. Some sellers may rig it to show that the odometer has less mileage as compared to the actual odometer reading.
You should just check the history of this vehicle with its license number to confirm whether the milage shown on the vehicle is correct according to this history.
This can let you avoid purchasing a vehicle with mileage that is quite higher than what was said, thus affecting its reliability as well as resale value.
How to Conduct a License Plate Check
1. Find a Trusted Platform
With numerous services offering license plate checks, the most important thing is finding a decent platform that will provide you with accurate, updated information. Among websites, VinGurus has made it very easy to check vehicle history using a license plate number.
2. Enter the License Plate Number
In an instant, after you chose your chosen platform, all you should do is insert the number of the car’s license plate in the search field; it will compile numerous records data into one comprehensive report: data from government records, from insurance databases, and even repair shops.
3. Review the Report Carefully
When the search is complete, you will get a report with potential information such as the car’s accident history, previous owners, outstanding recalls, title status, and more.
Review the report carefully, and watch for any red flags. If you see too many ownership changes or inconsistencies with the mileage, that can already be a suggestion of something.
Conclusion
The license plate check is a terribly helpful device for anyone who has ever hankered after buying a second-hand vehicle.
Whether one buys with the experience or not, it is always advised and appropriate to take caution every time one intends to try to purchase any motorcar such that it may prove clean as per its record.
It all starts from concealed accidents into ownership verification and a call for recalls-all this on the plate in the exercise of providing the necessary ingredient to making up a well-made, informed decision.
By using services such as Free License Plate Check | VinGurus, you can be certain that you aren’t going to be in the dark regarding any part of a vehicle’s troubled past.
You will avoid mistakes that might cost a lot, and further risks associated with safety will also be minimal. Today, license plate check becomes one of the vital tasks at the modern stage for the entire process of buying a car, bearing in mind the value and safety impact that is growing concerning vehicle history.