Buying a new car often offers greater peace of mind when it comes to reliability, but opting for a second-hand car can save you a significant amount of money. Plus, you won’t have to worry as much about depreciation with a used car. However, the condition of the used car is key to ensuring it’s a good purchase, so it’s wise to run a free VIN check in Canada to make sure you’re getting a solid deal.
So, how and where can you get a free VIN check in Canada?
Key Points:
- A VIN is a unique 17‑digit code assigned to a vehicle, which can be decoded to reveal information that helps identify the vehicle’s history, including accidents, theft, recalls, and liens.
- Checking a vehicle’s VIN is essential because it helps detect stolen vehicles, liens, accident history, structural damage, and whether the car has been rebuilt or written off, all of which are critical when buying a used car.
- There are free tools available in Canada to check a VIN, such as Transport Canada’s recall database, VIN Verify, NICB, VehicleHistory, and iSeeCars.
- Some of these history reports are free, while others come with a fee.
What Is A VIN?
A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a set of unique identifier codes that are given to a vehicle when it’s manufactured. It may be stamped, labelled, or engraved on several parts of a car. You can use the vehicle identification number to review the car’s history.
What Information Can A VIN Reveal?
A VIN can provide the following key information about a vehicle:
| Basic Vehicle Details | Vehicle History | Ownership & Usage |
| – Make, model, and trim level – Year of manufacture – Engine type and transmission – Country of origin – Body style – Fuel type | – Accident history – Service records – Recall notices from the manufacturer – Odometer readings – Registration history – Title status – Theft records – Lien status | – Number of previous owners – Lease or rental history – Fleet or commercial use |
What Does A VIN Look Like?
Today, all vehicles are identified by a 17-digit VIN. You can use this decoding formula to check any VIN of your car:
- First 3 Digits/Letters: These numbers are the world manufacturer code or identifier. They show you which country and automaker produced the vehicle. The coding will be the same formula for motorcycles, mopeds, and trailers.
- Positions 4–9: The following six characters are the vehicle descriptor sector (VDS) and they describe a vehicle’s platform, body style, engine type, and model. In North America, the 9th position confirms that a VIN is real. Every manufacturer has its own system for identifying the VDS, as thousands exist.
- Positions 10–17: Characters 10 through 17 are the vehicle’s identification sector, which is essentially its serial number. The 10th character or digit identifies the vehicle’s model year, along with some other basic information. In North America, the 11th position tells you which manufacturing plant built the vehicle.
| What Does It Mean If My VIN Code Isn’t 17 Digits Long? Today, all vehicles are identified by a 17-digit VIN. If yours is less than 17 digits, it may indicate that the vehicle was manufactured before 1981. Cars manufactured prior to 1981 had no standard VIN. Some vehicles had VINs that were 5 digits long, and others were 13 digits long. If you plan to buy a vehicle manufactured before 1981, keep in mind that today’s decoding formula may not be applicable and that details on it may be limited. |
Why Is It Important To Check A VIN?
There are several crucial reasons to get a free VIN check in Canada, including the following:
To Identify Stolen Vehicles
Since the VIN is a unique identifier, checking it can also help you avoid buying a stolen car. Before you buy a car, look for signs of tampering, like attempts to alter or hide the VIN and mismatched rivets or screws instead of rivets. Ensure the VIN matches the original registration and is consistent across all parts of the vehicle where it has been placed.
Learn more: Most Stolen Cars In Canada
To Verify The Title Status
Verifying a vehicle’s title status using its VIN helps ensure you’re not buying a car with a salvage, rebuilt, or stolen title. It protects you from hidden liabilities, such as outstanding liens or fraudulent ownership claims. This step is crucial for making a safe, informed purchase, especially in private sales.
To Detect Mileage Fraud
Checking a VIN helps detect mileage fraud by revealing historical odometer readings from service records, inspections, and previous ownership reports. If the current mileage is much lower than past records, it could be a sign of tampering or rollback. This protects you from overpaying for a vehicle with more wear and tear than advertised.
To Find Car Parts
If your vehicle needs repairs or modifications and you know a reliable parts dealer, your VIN will be the best way for them to locate the correct parts. They can then use your VIN information to confirm whether a part matches the make and model of your vehicle.
To Insure The Car
The VIN tells the history of a vehicle, so it’s necessary to have it when applying for car insurance too. If the vehicle has any unpaid liens, safety recalls, or a history of accidents, the car may not be insurable.
To Verify The Condition Of The Car
Checking your VIN is also important because it provides the history of the used car. You’ll be able to tell if the vehicle has been in any major accidents or if it’s been rebuilt. The VIN may even show you the vehicle’s odometer readings and if it’s been written off by another insurer, then rebuilt for sale.
To Check For Liens
You can also use the VIN to check for any liens on the car. If you purchase a vehicle with an existing lien, you’ll become responsible for the debt. As such, before purchasing a used car, ensure that any outstanding liens have been removed.
Where Can You Check A VIN For Free In Canada?
Although a paid VIN check will likely give you the most detailed results, there are plenty of different online platforms where you can get a free VIN check in Canada, such as:
Transport Canada
Transport Canada is a federal institution that’s responsible for the transportation policies and programs in our country. They promote safe, efficient, and environmentally-friendly transportation, and have a free online search tool that allows users to find out whether vehicles, child car seats, or tires have been recalled due to manufacturer defects.
VIN Verify
VIN Verify is a database provided by the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) that identifies vehicles with branded title statuses like non-repairable, salvaged, fire or flood. Their website doesn’t offer vehicle history reports, but their free VIN check tool can protect you from buying title-washed cars or cars with serious issues that appear fine on paper.
National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB)
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) is based in the U.S. and offers a free VIN check tool. You can use it to find out if a vehicle has been reported as salvaged by NICB member insurance companies or stolen but not yet recovered. On their website, you can conduct five searches within 24 hours using a single IP address.
VehicleHistory
VehicleHistory is an accurate directory filled with government reports, owner reviews, and other data from trusted vehicle associations. Their basic free VIN check reports include vehicle histories and specifications, as well as recalls and complaints from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, along with full historical auction records, incidents, and sales listings.
iSeeCars
iSeeCars is another free VIN check tool that can give you peace of mind when buying used cars. After you enter a VIN on their website, you’ll get a detailed report containing far more information than many other databases.
VINCheck.info
If you’re buying a car in the US, you can check the vehicle’s history using VINCheck.info. They use data from millions of registered vehicles across the US to provide free VIN checks that take less than a minute.
With their web database, you can browse 10-page vehicle history reports or have them sent to your email. Their reports include details like market value, insurance information, safety ratings, and more.
Other Platforms You Can Check Your VIN (Paid)
If you’re looking for other platforms that may provide more information about your vehicle’s history, consider paid platforms.
CARFAX Canada
If you’re really looking for reliability, CARFAX Canada is one of the most accurate and up-to-date VIN check providers in the country. It draws information from over 100,000 data sources. It even offers a convenient mobile app, as well as a VIN decoder that tells you more key details about a vehicle and explains what the 17 digits of your VIN mean.
With CARFAX Canada, you can get your vehicle history report for $58.95. If you add a lien check, the price increases to $77.95. If you’d like to check the history of more than one car, you can pay $146.94 for three vehicle history reports and one lien check.
What’s Included In the Report?
With CARFAX, you’ll get information about the car’s:
- Accident and theft history
- Structural damage
- Flood and hail damage
- Odometer readings and rollbacks
- Service records and estimates for repair costs
- Open safety recalls
- U.S./Canada imports and history
VinAudit Canada
VinAudit Canada has partnered with numerous nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and industry sources to provide VIN checks for users from coast to coast for a low cost. You can get one vehicle history report for $18.99, five for $44.99, and ten for $47.99.
Their detailed vehicle reports include the following:
- Vehicle brand verifications
- US history records
- Odometer checks
- Recalls and buybacks
- Theft confirmations
- Registration histories
How To Find A VIN Yourself Without Requesting A Report
Depending on your vehicle’s make, model year, and manufacturing point, you may be able to find your VIN tag in several locations, including:
- Dashboard: The most common place to see a VIN is a stamp or label on the dashboard. Visible through the windshield on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
- Driver’s Side Door Jamb: The other most common spot for the VIN is a label on the driver’s side door jamb, down where the door latches to the frame.
- Registration or Title Papers: If you can’t find your VIN on the vehicle itself. It will normally appear somewhere on your registration or title documents.
- Insurance Documents: You may also see your VIN listed on your car insurance policy. Just under your personal information and the insurer’s name.
- Engine Block: On some vehicles, the VIN is stamped on the engine block, near your windshield washer container. It may appear on your transmission too.
- Manufacturer’s Website: Some manufacturers also have online platforms where you can look up the VIN by entering your vehicle’s make, model, and year
Is There A Difference Between A VIN Check And A Vehicle History Report?
A VIN check and vehicle history report are similar because they can both tell you about a vehicle’s past. However, they differ in the specific information they provide:
VIN Check
This simple search tool gives you information about a vehicle’s make, model, year, and basic features. It can also tell you if a car has been reported stolen, salvaged, or damaged by certain events. Potential buyers often use these details to verify the seller’s claims about a vehicle’s history.
Vehicle History Report
This document offers a more comprehensive overview of a vehicle’s history. It may include elements such as previous owners, accident history, maintenance records, and title information. It can also help potential buyers make more informed decisions about a vehicle’s overall condition and value.
Common Limitations Of VIN Checks
VIN checks are a valuable tool, but they do come with limitations. Here are a few potential issues to keep in mind when using them:
- Incomplete Accident History: Not all accidents or repairs may be reported, particularly minor collisions that do not result in insurance claims. In these cases, the report may miss important information about previous damage to the car.
- Delayed or Missing Title Updates: Salvage or rebuilt status might not be updated right away in databases. That means a vehicle could appear clean even after significant damage.
- Limited Data For Older Vehicles: Vehicles manufactured before 1981 may not have a standardized 17-digit VIN, making it harder to get an accurate or complete history.
- Lag in Reporting: Recent events such as accidents, ownership changes, or service records may not appear immediately due to processing delays in reporting systems.
Bottom Line
Given how expensive cars are, it’s no wonder that so many Canadians choose to purchase used vehicles at a steep discount. But a used car can come with its own set of issues. This is why checking its VIN is always a great step to take. With several free options available. There’s little reason to get your hands on a VIN check to make sure you’re making a wise purchasing decision.
