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VIN Decoder: VIN number check in Norway

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 

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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 centers – 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.

 app or website, we automatically search through 

over 1,000 data sources across 45+ countries.

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 analyzed 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 Mileage section of the report. Meanwhile, the technical inspection information will be in the Legal status check 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 Mileage 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 

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

Without discussing specific databases / 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, protecting 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 math!

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 analyzes 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

Used car prices aren’t fixed – they change over time with market conditions and other factors. Understanding where a specific vehicle fits into that moving picture isn’t always easy. That’s why we upgraded the 

 – to deliver more accurate pricing insights based on real market behavior.

Here’s what’s new – and why it matters for buyers and sellers alike.

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What’s new in the Market Price section?

Before you ask, the core idea of the section hasn’t changed. The 

shows the car's current estimated value in a specific market,

 compared with similar vehicles of the same model and model year.

The difference is that it now provides a much more detailed overview of how that price has changed over time – and how it may change in the future.

We reworked the graph itself from the ground up. The market value line (shown in darker blue) represents the average price trend over time, as it used to. However, it now includes interactive hover points that display the estimated average vehicle price for each year.

In addition, a new dotted band around the line shows the predicted high and low price ranges.

The section is enriched with new historical data covering up to five years. This part of the 

 graph shows how much similar cars cost in the past, as well as the highest and lowest price ranges for each year.

While the left part of the graph shows historical prices, the right side uses predictive analytics to illustrate how much a specific vehicle model could cost in the future. The principle remains the same – you can hover over a specific price point to check the average market price, along with the predicted highest and lowest price ranges for the next 7 years.

 Forecasts are based on current market trends and historical data. Actual resale value may change due to market shifts, condition, location, or other factors.

If available, the section will also include Selling price(s). These appear as green markers on the graph, representing recorded asking or selling prices from past listings of the vehicle.

If the sales are very old and no longer visible, we will display them in a pop-up on the left side of the graph.

 section – market price insights. Below the graph, depending on data availability, you may see three additional observations:

 helps you better understand vehicle depreciation by estimating the percentage of value the car is expected to lose over the next few years.

 highlights the year or vehicle age when the car’s value is forecasted to decline most significantly, helping identify potentially better buying opportunities.

 suggests when selling the vehicle may make the most sense, before a significant depreciation phase begins.

Why this upgrade matters to used car buyers and sellers

Used car prices can vary widely, even for similar vehicles. The same model can be priced thousands apart, with no clear explanation why.

The upgraded Market Price feature can help buyers:

Understand whether a car’s asking price is realistic

See how the car’s price has changed – and may change in the future

Compare similar cars with more confidence

Use market-based pricing to support negotiations

For sellers, setting the right price can be just as challenging. Price a car too high, and it may sit on the market; price it too low, and you risk losing value.

The Market Price section can help sellers:

Understand price trends and see whether prices are going up, staying stable, or going down

Choose a better time to sell before prices drop

Sell faster by pricing the car in line with the market

Whether you’re buying or selling, check the 

 section in your next carVertical report to see where your car – or the one you’re considering – stands.

How to set the right price when selling your car?

How is a car’s market price determined?

Does Market Price replace professional vehicle valuation?

Market Price feature upgrade: What’s new and how it helps

Gabrielė Slabšienė

Helping people make smarter decisions when buying and selling used cars has always been at the heart of carVertical. In 2025, we strengthened that mission even further.

, focusing more on clarity than complexity, and turning data into deeper insights, we made it easier than ever to understand, compare, and confidently evaluate any used vehicle.

Let’s look back at the milestones, big and small, that shaped carVertical’s 2025.

Understanding a car’s story, not just looking at the facts: key product improvements

This year, we continued working on making vehicle information easier to understand and interpret. Our goal was (and still is!) to provide a clearer context, helping users make sense of the 

 and see the story behind the car they check.

Most car buyers aren’t experts, and numbers alone don’t always help them understand a car’s real condition. That’s why in 2025 we introduced 

 to our reports, helping you interpret information in each section.

Found a record that the car you’re checking used to be a taxi, but not sure why it matters? The car was imported, and you don’t know how to discuss it with the seller? carVertical 

 explain what these findings could mean and why they’re worth asking about.

, which saw the light in the second half of 2025. To generate it, we analyze all available records in the report, evaluate their impact on the car’s condition, perform calculations, and convert the results into a single number that summarizes the vehicle’s history. This provides an at-a-glance view of its overall condition and makes it easier to compare with similar cars.

 is currently available in four markets – the United Kingdom, Finland, Czechia, and Poland – but we’re optimistic that more of you will be able to access it in the future!

 section in our reports received a major upgrade this year. We improved the graph itself to make the mileage curve easier to read and understand. But we also added two new features: 

 is a new feature that estimates the vehicle’s likely current mileage (at the time the report is generated) and displays it as a point on the existing mileage graph. It appears in reports when the last mileage record is no older than three years and no newer than six months.

By showing this estimated mileage on the graph, 

 helps you quickly assess whether the odometer reading you see is realistic, making it easier to spot potential inconsistencies or tampering – without having to guess or manually calculate it yourself.

, on the other hand, adds a whole new layer of insight to our existing 

This feature analyzes a car’s usage patterns over its lifetime by calculating the average kilometers per month between its mileage records and comparing these intervals. It highlights periods when the car was driven more or less intensively – based solely on its own history rather than external benchmarks – so you can understand how it’s been used, not just how far it's traveled.

We haven’t forgotten one of our key sections – 

. We reviewed not only our accident data providers but also how you use the different fields within this section. As a result, we’ve made several changes to improve both the user experience and the information available.

 card. These events are created when we have any signs that the 

, e.g., when estimating part replacement costs, performing assessments in a body shop, etc.

. When multiple records potentially refer to the same event (considering matching event date, location, and other factors), we group them into a single card for full transparency. The main card is typically the one that contains the most detailed information.

You can always click it to view all available records and the information they contain.

Need all the key details about a car’s history summarized? You can now download a 

It fits all the most important information about a car on one page: car specs, damage records, mileage, theft status, and more, depending on available records – perfect for dealers, buyers, or anyone needing a quick overview.

The best ideas are often the simplest, and that’s exactly what our 

 is. It guides you through the steps to take after checking a car’s history, providing tips at each stage so you don’t miss anything important.

We’ve included this practical guide at the end of every report, so make sure to check all the boxes to confidently buy your next car.

In the UK and Italian markets, we introduced the 

 feature, which lets you see how many owners a vehicle has had over its lifetime.

To get the most out of this feature, it’s important not only to know the number of owners but also to consider the duration of each ownership – either by checking the report, if available, or by asking the seller. This can help you identify potential red flags, negotiate more effectively, and make a better decision.

Our plan for 2026 is to add this feature to a few additional markets.

 section. It shows whether the car is currently insured and displays coverage validity dates (or the last recorded policy).

A lack of insurance can signal potential issues beyond legal risks, such as registration problems or unresolved damage, so it's important to check this before 

 card is always visible, even if there’s no data (e.g., Romania and Spain). In others, it will appear only when we find relevant records.

To make it easier for French users to understand a vehicle’s emissions level, reports generated in France now include 

These stickers indicate the vehicle’s pollution category based on its engine type and emissions level. In the report, we display which sticker the vehicle should have according to official criteria.

Following a user survey conducted in the spring, we learned that most of our users are very efficient – they want to see the most important facts as soon as they open a report and quickly determine whether it’s worth scrolling further.

To address this, we’ve reworked the summary section – both in design and in content – by adding more cards and enriching each one with the key information needed to understand a report at a glance.

You may opt out any time. For more details, review our

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Ongoing upgrades to improve your experience

Here are some of the key UX upgrades and new features we’ve rolled out across the user zone and the overall platform to make it easier to navigate and use:

 Users now only need to enter their email, and we’ll detect the best way for them to log in – either with a password or a one-time code. This helps avoid confusion for those who signed up without setting a password.

 Users can now generate reports using license plates (in supported countries) directly in the user zone. Multiple plates are supported, just like with 

, and the improved flow makes the experience smoother.

 As long as you’re logged in, you’ll always know what’s new with the product. The “What’s new?” feature provides a short, structured record of updates, improvements, new features, and other changes, tailored to specific markets so users only see what’s relevant to them.

 We made it more secure, streamlined, and efficient, ensuring a smoother and safer experience for everyone.

 One of our biggest updates yet, bringing improvements to usability, performance, and the overall experience. From refreshed launch animations to improved ways for users to connect with us, we’ve reimagined the app from top to bottom.

And many more improvements that may not always be visible, but you’d certainly notice if they weren’t there!

As we look to 2026, our focus remains on providing even deeper insights into the used car market.

We plan to release new features, expand existing ones to more markets, improve current functionalities, and continue uncovering trends that matter to buyers, sellers, and industry professionals alike.

With each report, survey, and data analysis, we aim to make navigating the used car market smarter, safer, and more transparent for everyone.

carVertical 2025 upgrade recap: Feature improvements and what’s next

Two cars may share the same mileage, but their journeys can be worlds apart. How they were driven – not just the distance traveled – makes all the difference.

That’s why we’re introducing the new Driving Habits feature in 

. It provides a deeper look at a vehicle’s mileage history, highlighting periods of light, normal, and intensive use.

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

Looks can be deceiving!

Driving Habits is a feature that shows a car’s usage patterns over its lifetime, based on mileage records and their dates. It expands our existing 

 section with a fresh layer of insight, helping you get a clearer picture of how the car was actually driven, not just how far it traveled.

We calculate the average kilometers per month between the car’s mileage records and compare these intervals to each other. This shows when the car was driven more intensively or less (based solely on its own history, rather than any external benchmarks).

The observed patterns are then categorized into four segments:

Hovering over a specific segment of the mileage timeline shows the average monthly distance the car traveled during that period.

The feature also provides a summary of driving habits, showing what percentage of the car’s history each of them represents.

If you prefer to see only mileage readings, you can hide the Driving Habits by switching the toggle button off.

How to interpret the different Driving Habits segments

Each segment tells part of the car’s story – here’s how to read them.

The “No driving” segment identifies periods when the car was not used for an extended time. Vehicles with long idle periods may require extra checks, such as the battery, brakes, or tires.

The “Limited driving” segment shows times when the car was driven less than typical. While lighter use may seem beneficial, it can sometimes lead to aging or wear of parts that aren’t used regularly.

The “Normal driving” segment represents typical usage patterns. It often means steady use and balanced wear.

The “Intense driving” segment points to periods when the car was driven more than average. Higher usage can put additional strain on parts, which may result in more frequent maintenance and earlier replacement.

The Driving Habits feature offers clear advantages for both buyers and sellers, turning raw mileage into valuable insights:

Explore Driving Habits before your next car deal to get the full picture and decide with confidence.

Company News

carVertical data sources: How history reports are created

Market Price feature upgrade: What’s new and how it helps

carVertical 2025 upgrade recap: Feature improvements and what’s next

New in Reports: Learn the story behind a car’s mileage with our Driving Habits feature

It’s your choice