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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

Accident Check by VIN

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.

Check Accident History by VIN

🛑Real Case: 2011 International Prostar

Would you trust this truck? Someone did. Don’t make that mistake!
View 2011 International Prostar Report
Check Accident History by VIN

Check Accident History by VIN

What Are The Risks of Buying a Damaged Vehicle?

Traffic Fatality Trends

US road traffic fatalities from 2012 to 2024
2012
36,415
2013
35,369
2014
35,394
2015
37,757
2016
40,327
2017
40,231
2018
39,404
2019
39,107
2020
42,339
2021
46,980
2022
46,027
2023
44,762
2024*
44,680
ℹ️ Data Sources & Notes
*2024 data is projected based on current trends
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
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:

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:
1

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.
2

Fill Out the Form

Next, fill out the form above. Enter your VIN, email address, and phone number (optional).
3

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.
Check Accident Records

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:
Lien Check
Title Check
Stolen VIN Check
MSRP by VIN Check
Service History by VIN
Warranty by VIN
Window Sticker Lookup
Free VIN Decoder
Classic Car VIN Lookup

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.
Very Helpful
I reached out for help getting records on older cars, something I had struggled with for a long time. The team was extremely knowledgeable and walked me through every step. They found exactly what I needed, and their communication made the whole process stress-free. If you’re looking for trustworthy help with older car history, this is the place to go.

Preosha Chambers

US•Sep 3, 2025
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Very easy, great price. Fast and efficient help from the live chat with Richard.

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CA•Aug 5, 2025
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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.

Get a VIN Check for Accidents

FAQs About Accident Check by VIN

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.
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.
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.
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.

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 VINView a Sample Report
  • 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
1

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.
2

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.
3

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.
4

Insurance Issues

Some insurers may refuse full coverage or charge higher premiums for previously damaged or salvage-titled vehicles.
5

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.
6

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.

Check VIN for Accidents NowView Sample Report
I’m the owner of Concierge Motors and was provided with an excellent service from this company. Will refer to all

Will Porter

US•Jul 1, 2025
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I had a great experience. They were quick to respond to my questions and provided the information I needed with a strong sense of urgency. The data was clear, accurate, and delivered efficiently, making the entire process smooth and hassle-free. Highly recommend them if you’re looking for a fast and trustworthy vehicle history report!

Donnie

US•Jun 20, 2025
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