Check a car before you buy
Found a used car at a lot or online? Type the VIN or the year, make and model. We show recalls, crash stars and whether the price looks fair. Free, no account.
A quick check, before you hand over money
- ✓Open recalls for that model year (NHTSA)
- ✓Crash test stars (NHTSA)
- ✓Fair price for the miles: Looks low, fair or high
- ✓Out-the-door total and a payment estimate
- ✓6 questions to ask the seller
Questions about checking a car
Is this a free VIN check?
Yes. It’s free and needs no account. We read the VIN with the U.S. government’s free decoder (NHTSA vPIC), then show recalls and crash stars from NHTSA and our own price estimate.
Does it show accidents or a salvage title?
No. This is not a vehicle history report. Ask the seller, and for accidents, title brands and odometer records use a report from an NMVTIS-approved provider.
Were the recalls on this car already fixed?
We show recalls for the model year. To see if this exact car still has an open recall, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Recall repairs are free at the brand’s dealer.
How do you know if the price is fair?
For the 35 popular cars in our guide we estimate a fair range for the year, adjusted for miles (people drive about 12,000 miles a year). It’s an estimate: trim, condition and where you live change prices. Always get the out-the-door price in writing.
Where do I find the VIN?
On the sticker inside the driver’s door, through the windshield on the driver’s side, on the title or registration, and on insurance cards. It has 17 letters and numbers.
Prices, payments and out-the-door totals are Carvessa estimates, not offers. Out the door uses Georgia: price + 7% TAVT + about $899 in typical fees. Payment: good credit, $1,750 down, 72 months (about 10% APR used, 8% new). VIN, recalls and crash stars come live from NHTSA. Recall details are written by NHTSA in English.