, 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 

, 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.

This section shows previous title branding (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

Unlike some other reports filled with raw data, carVertical reports use 

simple visuals, color-coded alerts, and organized sections

. Information is grouped logically, helping you find what you need without unnecessary complexity.

Whether you're on a computer, tablet, or smartphone, your 

 to any screen size, so you can check vehicle details anytime, anywhere.

carVertical reports are fully digital, allowing you to access vehicle history information quickly wherever you are:

 for your records or share it when needed.

 – View your report on a phone, tablet, or computer at any time.

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

While our reports provide valuable insights into a vehicle’s history, they are 

 designed to help buyers and owners make smarter decisions. They do not serve as legal documents.

Even though carVertical reports are not legal evidence, they can still be a useful tool in several ways:

 – A report can highlight red flags like mileage fraud, past accidents, or theft records, helping you avoid risky purchases.

 – If the report uncovers issues such as previous accidents or odometer tampering, you can use this information to negotiate a lower price with the seller.

 – Sellers may sometimes provide incomplete or misleading information about a car’s history. A carVertical report can help you cross-check their statements and ensure transparency.

Supporting your case with additional proof

 – If you're considering legal action, consult a lawyer about whether the report could serve as a 

To avoid unexpected issues, we strongly recommend checking a vehicle’s history 

. A carVertical report can help you make an informed decision and reduce the risk of buying a car with hidden problems.

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

 to provide accurate and up-to-date reports.

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:

 vehicle history data ourselves. Instead, we 

 all available records into a structured report to help you make informed decisions.

Our report generation process follows these key steps:

: A unique 17-character code that unlocks the vehicle’s history.

: We search multiple databases, fix errors, translate if needed, and sort the data.

: Information is grouped into clear, relevant categories.

: We use statistical models to interpret and enrich data with insights, like mileage trends.

: You get a verified, easy-to-read vehicle history report, available online or 

To learn more about how the reports are created, 

Still have questions? If you need more help understanding carVertical data sources, feel free to 

At carVertical, we offer a variety of payment methods to make purchasing a vehicle history report as convenient as possible.

 – We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and other major cards.

 – Available in select regions, allowing direct bank transfers.

 – A secure and widely used online payment method.

 – We accept payments in Bitcoin (BTC) and other cryptocurrencies.

 Some payment options may vary depending on your region. When making a purchase, available methods will be displayed at checkout.

If you’re a business client, you can also pay via bank transfer (using proforma invoice). For more details on how to do it, 

If you experience any issues while making a payment, feel free to 

Pricing

We offer multiple pricing options for full vehicle history reports, so come and find out which one fits your needs the best.

A single check can save you thousands in surprise repairs

Hear from people like you

Choose smartly

Verify accurate mileage

Get a clear view

Detect stolen vehicles

Avoid overpaying for a vehicle

Verify accurate mileage

Get a clear view

Detect stolen vehicles

Avoid overpaying for a vehicle

Our data comes from 900+ sources

Frequently asked questions

A single check can save you thousands in surprise repairs

Hear from people like you

Choose smartly

Verify accurate mileage

Get a clear view

Detect stolen vehicles

Avoid overpaying for a vehicle

Verify accurate mileage

Get a clear view

Detect stolen vehicles

Avoid overpaying for a vehicle

Our data comes from 900+ sources

Frequently asked questions

What is a VIN?

What information may appear in the carVertical report?

What makes a carVertical report different from other similar services?

Can I use a carVertical report as legal evidence in court?

Where does the data come from?

What payment methods do you accept?