I’ve recently been looking at purchasing a used vehicle and I want to make sure everything is legit before finalizing the deal. I’ve heard stories about stolen cars being resold with fake paperwork, and I’m a bit concerned. Does anyone have any advice on how to properly check if a vehicle is stolen? Are there any reliable services or methods to verify the history of a car?
Jimmerson
Joined
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4 Posts
That’s a smart concern to have stolen cars being passed off with clean-looking paperwork is more common than people think. The first step is always to run the VIN through a trusted history service. These reports can flag theft records if the vehicle was ever reported stolen and not recovered, and in many cases, they’ll also note if a previously stolen vehicle was recovered and re-titled.
It’s not foolproof though if the theft was never reported or if shady paperwork is involved, it could slip past. That’s why I usually double check with the DMV or even local law enforcement. Some police departments will run the VIN for you and confirm whether it’s clear.
For online options, I’ve personally had good luck using Detailed VehicleHistory. It’s more affordable than Carfax, and in my experience it shows theft records, title history, and other red flags like salvage or liens. I wouldn’t rely on any single method alone, but pairing a VIN report with a DMV or police check should give you solid peace of mind.
It’s not foolproof though if the theft was never reported or if shady paperwork is involved, it could slip past. That’s why I usually double check with the DMV or even local law enforcement. Some police departments will run the VIN for you and confirm whether it’s clear.
For online options, I’ve personally had good luck using Detailed VehicleHistory. It’s more affordable than Carfax, and in my experience it shows theft records, title history, and other red flags like salvage or liens. I wouldn’t rely on any single method alone, but pairing a VIN report with a DMV or police check should give you solid peace of mind.
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