Car check
Before you pay for a used car, check its history
A listing shows what the seller wants you to see. A VIN report shows what databases recorded about the car: mileage, damage, theft and past listings.
Use the code CARNADO for 20% off the report.
Check the VIN on carVertical ↗The report is provided and sold by carVertical. We earn a commission on purchases through our link.
Why check
What a report can reveal
Rolled-back mileage
The report compares odometer readings from different records. Mileage that drops over time is a clear warning.
Accidents and damage
Records of damage and repairs the seller may not mention.
Theft
A check against stolen-vehicle databases, so you don't buy a car the police later take away.
History abroad
For imported cars it shows where the car was driven and what happened to it before it was listed here.
Old listings and photos
Earlier listings show what the car sold for, its mileage then and how it looked.
How the car was used
Whether it served as a taxi, a rental car or in a company fleet.
How much data there is depends on the country, make and age of the car.
How it works
Three steps before the viewing
- 01
Get the VIN
The 17-character code is usually in the listing, the registration document or under the windscreen. A seller who won't share it is telling you something.
- 02
Enter it on carVertical
You pay for the report and get it online, without involving the seller.
- 03
Go to the viewing prepared
Ask about anything in the report that doesn't match the listing. And still have the car inspected by a mechanic.
What a report won't replace
A report works with records that exist. An accident or repair nobody recorded won't show up. It doesn't replace a mechanic's inspection or a test drive; it adds to them.
Car viewing checklist →Questions
- How much does a report cost?
- carVertical sets the price. You'll see it on their site before you pay. The code CARNADO gives you 20% off.
- Why carVertical?
- Carnado searches listings across many sites, but a listing won't tell you what happened to the car before. carVertical is our vehicle-history partner. We earn a commission on reports bought through our link.
- Does it work for imported cars?
- Yes, carVertical collects data from many European countries. How many records it finds depends on the country and the car's age.
- Where do I find the VIN?
- In the listing, the registration document, on the sticker in the driver's door or at the bottom of the windscreen.
Found a car? Check it
All you need is the VIN from the listing or the seller.
Use the code CARNADO for 20% off the report.