Accident Check by VIN
Each year, over 6 million car accidents happen in the U.S., and many damaged vehicles aren’t properly repaired. Run the accident lookup by VIN to spot hidden defects, accident records, and damaged parts.
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- 2M+ Reports
What is a VIN and Why Does It Matter for Accident History?
VIN or Vehicle Identification Number is a 17-digit code that consists of numbers and letters and is assigned to the vehicle. Although the vehicle has the same year, make, model, and trim, the assigned VIN is different. On a VIN, the sequence code is not random; rather, each of the VIN codes represents the car’s components, such as the make, country of origin, engine type, and more.
VIN is crucial because it can uncover past accidents, reported damage, insurance write-offs, and whether the vehicle was declared a total loss or was issued a salvage title. This information affects safety, performance, insurability, and resale value. A VIN check helps buyers avoid hidden problems and make informed purchasing decisions.
To check the accident history, you can use an accident check by VIN service and obtain the accident report by VIN!
Why Check Accident History by VIN?
6M+
On average, there are over 6 million motor vehicle accidents in the U.S. every year.
40,901
In 2023, there were approximately 40,901 motor vehicle traffic fatalities in the U.S.
10-30%
Vehicles in accidents may have had their resale value reduced by approximately 10% to 30%. |
A vehicle’s accident history can dramatically impact its safety, reliability, and value. Hidden damage may lead to costly repairs or safety risks down the road, and before you know it, you could end up spending thousands of dollars on repairs.
With an accident check by VIN, car buyers and sellers can spot vehicles with major accidents and damage and avoid them.
What Information You’ll Get from Accident Lookup by VIN?
An accident report verifies whether or not a vehicle has been previously involved in an accident, and if it has, you can find all records clearly and comprehensively listed. Here’s what you should expect to see on a vehicle history report:
- Number of accidents
- Number of minor/major damages
- Date of accident occurrence
- Location of accidents
- Severity of damage sustained
- Fire damage
- Hail damage
- Auction junk or scrapped status
- Salvage auction records
- Dents and scratches
- Structural damages
- Airbag Deployment
- Minor damage incidents
- Major damage incidents
- Service and repair records
But that’s not all! With a vehicle history lookup, you can also verify every other record of the vehicle, including the:
Theft Records
Make sure the vehicle hasn’t been reported stolen, or you could lose both the car and your money.
Title Brand Records
Find out if the car has been branded as salvage, rebuilt, flood-damaged, or a lemon in the past.
Ownership Records
Knowing how many people have owned the vehicle helps assess the current condition and spot red flags.
Auction & Salvage History
Vehicles sold at auctions may have serious issues that sellers are trying to hide. View actual images to verify the actual condition.
Sales History
Frequent changes in ownership could indicate ongoing mechanical or legal problems.
Lien and Loan Records
A hidden lien means the lender still owns the car, and it could be repossessed.
Mileage Records
Inconsistent mileage readings can point to odometer tampering or poor maintenance.
Vehicle Specifications
Confirm the exact make, model, trim, and features. Don’t rely on seller descriptions only.
Open Recalls
Pending recalls come with serious safety risks. Ensure the vehicle’s safety before purchase.
Check Accident History by VIN
5 accidents reported
1 damage incident confirmed
Right front impact with a tree (2015)
Front impact with an animal. Vehicle was towed (2016)
1 lien/loan still active
Minor to major damage reported
Would you trust this truck? Someone did. Don’t make that mistake!
What Are The Risks of Buying a Damaged Vehicle?
Traffic Fatality Trends
US road traffic fatalities from 2012 to 2024
Data Sources & Notes
*2024 data is projected based on current trends
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
ALT TAG – US road traffic fatalities from 2012 to 2024
With traffic fatality rates increasing over the past few years, you want to prioritize your safety during used car purchases. Buying a damaged vehicle might seem like a bargain, but it can come with serious risks that outweigh the savings. Some of these risks are:
Hidden Mechanical Problems
Damage often affects more than just the visible parts. There may be potential structural and mechanical issues that can surface later, leading to expensive repairs.
Safety Concerns
A car that's been in an accident might not perform as designed in future collisions, putting your safety at risk. You don't want to end up as a figure on the chart above.
Lower Resale Value
Even if repaired, damaged vehicles typically lose value faster and are harder to resell. This means you may end up with a vehicle no one wants to buy in the future.
Insurance Issues
Some insurers may refuse full coverage or charge higher premiums for previously damaged or salvage-titled vehicles.
Financing Challenges
Many lenders are hesitant to finance salvage or rebuilt title vehicles (damaged vehicles), limiting your options. Some lenders who agree to finance your vehicle may do this at really high interest rates.
Poor Repair Quality
If the vehicle has ever been in an accident, it will need extensive repairs in order to rebuild the vehicle so that it can be safely driven. On the other hand, if the accident was terrible, it could be harder to fix and might result in a poor repair quality.
Don't Take These Risks
Protect yourself and your investment with a comprehensive VIN accident check before you buy.
How to Check if a Car was in an Accident?
No need to be confused if you do not know where to look up the accident history by VIN. Use our accident check by VIN tool and follow these simple steps:
Find the VIN
The VIN is located on the driver’s side door jamb, dashboard of the vehicle, registration documents, and other parts of the vehicle.
Fill Out the Form
Next, fill out the form above. Enter your VIN, email address, and phone number (optional).
Get Your Report
As soon as the form is completed and submitted, your VIN will be decoded, and the accident report can be easily downloaded.
If you don’t have the VIN, you can check the accident records by using the license plate number.
Complete History Checks Beyond Accidents
We provide thorough vehicle history checks covering accidents, theft records, odometer readings, titles, liens, and more. Get the full history of used vehicles with any of these tools:
Affordable & Accurate Accident Reports — In Seconds
More detailed than Carfax
Comprehensive reports with more data sources and detailed information.
Covers U.S. and Canada
Access vehicle history data from both United States and Canada.
VIN & license plate search
Search by either VIN number or license plate for maximum flexibility.
Mobile-friendly applications
Access reports on any device with our responsive design.
Instant download PDF
Get your report immediately as a downloadable PDF file.
Supports classic vehicles
Works with classic cars, motorcycles, and specialty vehicles.
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Hear From Our Customers!
Join thousands of satisfied customers who have used our license plate lookup service to make informed decisions about their vehicle purchases.
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Ready to Learn The Truth About a Vehicle?
Just enter the VIN to see if anything is hiding in its past, including accidents, damages, title issues, recalls, and more.
FAQs About Accident Check by VIN
How can I check a VIN for accidents for free?
You can check the accident history by VIN for free by using the Detailed Vehicle History and get the vehicle history report. However, on the free accident check by VIN, you cannot get the detailed information, like the date and location of the accident.
Can a VIN number tell you if a car has been in an accident?
Yes, you can check for accident records, determine the number of times a vehicle has been in accidents, and the severity of damages, all with the VIN and a VIN check tool.
How to check if a vehicle has been in an accident?
To find out if the vehicle has ever been involved in an accident, you can get the vehicle history report by VIN. The vehicle report shows if the vehicle has ever been involved in an accident, had a title problem, or suffered from significant damage in the past. You can also look in the vehicle closely to see if there’s a sign of accident involvement or repairs, such as uneven paint or gaps between panels. It is also a good idea to ask a trusted mechanic to check the car before buying it.
How can I see if my car has ever been in an accident?
Get the vehicle’s history! You should visit the Detailed Vehicle History website to get a full vehicle history report. The vehicle history report will provide you with important information on the vehicle's title, any insurance loss claims, accident history, and whether it has ever been reported as salvaged.
