1. FAXVIN
  2. VIN Check

VIN Check & Vehicle History

Instant VIN Check – Uncover Hidden Facts in Vehicle History

A VIN, or Vehicle Identification Number, is a 17-character code that uniquely identifies a vehicle.
For most vehicles, you can find the VIN on the front driver's-side interior dashboard or the driver's-side doorpost. Alternatively, it may appear on the vehicle's insurance and ownership documents. Example: JTDS4MCE7NJ095881

A VIN check can mean different things. Some drivers simply need to see if a car has theft or total loss flags – use NICB VINCheck for that. Others want quick, free specs – use our basic VIN lookup. When you need the complete history (official title brands, prior total-loss designations, odometer readings, and more), order a full FAXVIN report. Start free, upgrade only if you need deeper answers.

At a Glance

  • NICB VINCheck (free): Theft/unrecovered theft and insurer total-loss/salvage indicators (daily limit applies).
  • Basic VIN lookup (free): Instant specs such as year, make, model, body, engine, and assembly details.
  • Full FAXVIN history (paid): Official title brands, prior total-loss events, odometer snapshots, and more.

When to Use Which Option

  • Browsing or short-listing cars: Run the NICB check first (free screening), then use basic VIN lookup to confirm specs before scheduling a viewing.
  • About to negotiate or pay: Go straight to the full NMVTIS report; you'll want official title brands, odometer readings, and prior total-loss designations at hand.
  • Verifying a seller's claim: Compare the seller's story with both NICB (theft/total-loss) and the full report (title/odometer). If there's a mismatch, reconsider or request documentation.

What Each Option Covers

What You'll See NICB VINCheck® Basic VIN Lookup Full NMVTIS Report
Theft / Unrecovered Theft Indicators ✓ — ✓
Insurer Total-loss / Salvage Indicators ✓ — ✓
Official Title Brands (salvage, rebuilt, flood, etc.) — — ✓
Odometer Readings / Potential Rollbacks — — ✓
Core Vehicle Specs (year, make, model, body, engine) — ✓ ✓
Assembly / WMI / Trim Details — ✓ ✓
Recall Pointer — ✓ (link out) ✓ (contextual)
Daily Limits Limit applies No limit No limit
Cost Free Free Paid

Tip: If NICB flags anything concerning, follow up with the full FAXVIN report to see title brands, odometer data, and more context.

How Our Free Basic Lookup Works

Enter the VIN and see a concise specification sheet: model year, make, model, body style, engine, and assembly info. It's fast and helps you confirm you're looking at the right vehicle. It is not a substitute for a full history: it won't show title brands, prior total-loss events, or odometer readings.

Looking for VIN digit meanings, where to find the VIN on a vehicle, or WMI/VDS/VIS details? See our VIN Decoder guide.

What's Included In a Full FAXVIN Report

VIN Check
  • Title brands reported by states (e.g., Salvage, Rebuilt, Flood, Lemon, Junk).
  • Prior total-loss designations from insurers and other sources that feed NMVTIS.
  • Odometer readings and patterns that can help surface potential rollbacks.
  • Vehicle specifications and identifiers, including WMI and configuration details.
  • Additional context useful for purchase decisions (where available).

Use the full report for moments that matter – inspections, deposits, and bill of sale – when you need more than a quick yes/no signal.

Our VIN check coverage across 50 states + D.C., representing over 99% of U.S. vehicles (per DOJ/AAMVA).

Full FAXVIN reports draw on data sourced from NMVTIS-approved providers and reference NHTSA recall records, complemented by additional industry and partner datasets.

What a VIN Check Will Not Show

A VIN check won't reveal the current owner's personal information. Consumer privacy laws apply, and NMVTIS is designed to provide vehicle-centric data–title brands, prior total–loss, and odometer readings – not names and addresses. Use a full report to assess condition and risk; use bill of sale and title transfers to establish ownership.

Getting Started

  1. Run an NICB theft/salvage screen if you want a quick free signal.
  2. Use the basic VIN lookup here for instant specs and to validate the VIN you're reviewing.
  3. Order the full NMVTIS report if you're moving forward - it consolidates official title brand data and odometer snapshots for confident decisions.

Sources & Helpful References

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the Difference Between a VIN Check and a VIN Decoder?

A decoder explains the VIN structure and returns specs (year/make/model, body/engine).
A check answers risk/history questions – free theft/total–loss via NICB VINCheck and title/odometer context via a paid full FAXVIN report.

Is There a Truly Free Vehicle History Report?

There is no comprehensive free history that includes official title brands and odometer data. Combine the free NICB VINCheck (theft/total-loss screen) with a paid FAXVIN report for the complete picture.

Will a VIN Check Show the Owner's Name?

No. Consumer privacy laws apply. Reports focus on vehicle-centric data such as title brands, prior total-loss status, and odometer information – not current owner identity.

Is FAXVIN the Same as NICB VINCheck?

No. NICB VINCheck is a free tool that shows theft and insurer total-loss/salvage indicators (limit: 5 searches per 24 hours per IP). FAXVIN's full report aggregates vehicle data from multiple trusted sources to provide title status/brands, prior total-loss indicators, and odometer readings (where available).