Learn about common vehicle history report scams and how to avoid them when buying or selling a used car. Find out how to spot outdated or incomplete reports, altered reports, and scams associated with purchasing vehicle history reports from fake sites. Get tips on how to protect yourself and avoid becoming a victim of vehicle history report fraud.

Questions Answered in this Article

1. What is a vehicle history report? A vehicle history report is a document that provides an overview of a car’s past, including its maintenance history and any accidents it’s been involved in.
2. What are some common vehicle history report scams? Some common vehicle history report scams include outdated or incomplete reports, altered reports, and purchasing reports from scam sites.
3. How can you avoid outdated or incomplete vehicle history reports? To avoid outdated or incomplete reports, ensure that you are examining the most current version of a history report purchased or provided by a reputable source, especially if you’re purchasing a used car from an independent seller. Additionally, have the car inspected by a trusted and qualified mechanic.
4. How can you avoid altered vehicle history reports? To avoid altered reports, make sure you’re viewing an actual report rather than a substitute from an alternate source if you’re buying from a private-party seller. Also, be on the lookout for warning signs that a dealer is disreputable.
5. How can you avoid purchasing vehicle history reports from scam sites? To avoid purchasing reports from scam sites, purchase reports from legitimate sources only, such as those approved by the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System. Don’t click on links from unknown buyers or sellers or use unfamiliar websites to purchase vehicle history reports.

How to Avoid Vehicle History Report Scams When Purchasing a Used Car

An overview of your car’s past, including its maintenance history and any accidents it’s been involved in, can be obtained through a vehicle history report. While these reports can generally be accurate, errors may occur, and fraudulent activities are associated with them that specifically target individuals purchasing or selling used cars.

When you purchase a report from a reputable source such as Carfax or AutoCheck, or if you obtain a message from a trusted car dealership, the likelihood of encountering a vehicle history report scam is low. However, if you’re buying or selling a car privately, you could become a target for such fraudulent activities. Here are some common types of vehicle history report scams and tips on how to avoid becoming a victim.

Outdated or Incomplete Reports

Vehicle history reports from reputable providers such as Carfax or AutoCheck usually contain accurate and current information about a car’s accident history. However, there are times when critical information is either accidentally or intentionally left out.

According to Brian Moody, Autotrader’s executive editor, “A history report might miss something because of how they collect information. If someone wrecks a car without insurance or makes no insurance claim and there is no police report, the damage, whether repaired or not, will not appear on the report.”

In such cases or the event of unreported minor accidents, an owner may intentionally withhold information to avoid higher insurance premiums or increase the likelihood of selling a vehicle. Additionally, if you’re dealing with a private seller, be aware that they may provide an older version of a history report created before the car was damaged.

Purposefully omitting details from a report is considered a scam. It restricts your knowledge about a vehicle and may result in you purchasing a damaged car for more than its actual value.

To avoid this scam, examine the most current version of a history report purchased or provided by a reputable source, especially if you’re buying a used car from an independent seller. However, relying solely on the vehicle history report is insufficient to make a purchase decision. Be sure to have the vehicle inspected by a trusted and qualified mechanic. Pre-purchase inspections, which usually include test drives and cost anywhere from $100 to $200, can save you money in the long run.

Altered Vehicle History Reports

Aside from intentionally withholding information, it’s also possible for data to be altered or removed from a vehicle history report, according to Patrick Olsen, Carfax’s executive editor.

“We have observed private-party sellers and shady dealers who use a substitute for the Carfax report or attempt to modify a Carfax report by cutting and pasting information,” he explains. This is more prevalent when purchasing a car from an unknown franchise or small independent dealer.

To avoid this scam, watch an actual report rather than a substitute from an alternate source if you’re buying from a private-party seller. Vehicle history reports from reputable providers will contain comprehensive information about a vehicle, such as its history of serious accidents, maintenance records, mileage, recall information, and more, which an altered report may not provide.

Furthermore, look for warning signs that a dealer is disreputable if purchasing a vehicle from them. For example, most dealers offer free vehicle history reports via subscriptions with trusted providers. Dealers who refuse to provide you with a report or present an outdated one are usually untrustworthy.

Purchasing Vehicle History Reports from Scam Sites

When buying or selling a car, requesting a vehicle history report is expected to ensure transparency and accuracy. However, be wary of potential scams that involve ordering a message from a specific, unknown website. These sites are designed to steal your information by prompting you to enter personal details and a VIN and pay for a report you never receive.

Unfortunately, entering personal information on these scam sites can lead to identity theft, making purchasing reports from legitimate sources critical. The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System’s website, vehiclehistory.gov, is a trustworthy resource that lists approved providers of vehicle history reports. Remember that while this website does not offer all vehicle history reports and some providers may not include all information, such as accident history, buying reports from trusted sources is essential to avoid scams and protect your personal information.

Tips to Avoid Vehicle History Report Scams

When buying or selling a used car, it’s essential to take the following steps:

• Suppose a private seller doesn’t provide a vehicle history report; purchase one from a trusted source to get a comprehensive record of the car’s accident history. In that case, mileage, maintenance records, recall information, etc.
• Ensure you view the most up-to-date version of the report from a reputable provider, especially when buying from a private seller. Dealers usually offer free history reports from trustworthy sources, so beware of those who refuse to show you one.
• Don’t click on links from unknown buyers or sellers or use unfamiliar websites to purchase vehicle history reports, as this could put you at risk of scams or fraud.
• After reviewing the report, take the car to a reputable mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection to ensure it’s in good condition and worth the asking price.

Summary

• A vehicle history report can provide information about a car’s past, including its maintenance history and any accidents it’s been involved in.
• While vehicle history reports from reputable sources are generally accurate, errors may occur, and there are fraudulent activities associated with them that target individuals who are purchasing or selling used cars.
• Some common types of vehicle history report scams include outdated or incomplete reports, altered reports, and purchasing reports from scam sites.
• To avoid these scams, make sure you’re examining the most current version of a history report purchased or provided by a reputable source, have the car inspected by a trusted and qualified mechanic, and purchase reports from trusted sources.
• It’s also important to be on the lookout for warning signs that a dealer is disreputable and not to click on links from unknown buyers or sellers or use unfamiliar websites to purchase vehicle history reports.
• When buying or selling a used car, it’s important to take these steps to ensure that you have a comprehensive record of the car’s history and that you’re not at risk of scams or fraud.