Title · Accidents · Odometer
Vehicle History Report by Plate or VIN
A VIN decode tells you what the car is. A history report tells you what happened to it. Here is what the report covers, when to use a plate instead of a VIN, and what to check before you pay.
What a report covers
| Record | What it can show |
|---|---|
| Title brands | Salvage, rebuilt, flood, lemon, junk and other brands that follow the car. |
| Accidents and damage | Reported collisions, insurance claims and damage events, where a source reported them. |
| Odometer | Mileage readings over time and potential rollback or inconsistency flags. |
| Theft and recovery | Reported theft, recovery and total-loss events. |
| Title transfers | Past title events and the states that issued them. |
| Recalls | Open safety recalls from NHTSA, by year, make and model. |
Plate or VIN: which should you use?
Use the VIN when you have it. It is the 17-character identifier that belongs to one vehicle, and it does not depend on the state's plate format. Use the plate when the VIN is not visible or the seller will not provide it; a licensed provider can resolve the plate to a VIN through state records. If you have both, enter the VIN.
What to check before you pay
- Is the provider on the NMVTIS approved list? The U.S. Department of Justice publishes the official list; check it before you buy.
- Is the price clear? A one-time report and a subscription are different products. Confirm the total and whether it renews.
- Is there a sample report? Look at what is included before checkout, not after.
- Is there a refund policy? Read it; data coverage varies by vehicle and state.
- Does it promise owner data? A legitimate vehicle history report covers the vehicle, not the owner's name or address.
What a report will not tell you
- The owner's name, address or phone number.
- Every maintenance item — only records that a shop, insurer or state reported.
- Future reliability or the seller's honesty.
- Damage that was never reported to an insurer or a data source.
How to run one
- Get the VIN from the dashboard, door jamb or title; if you only have a plate, note the state.
- Decode the VIN for factory specs and open recalls.
- Run the history report for title, accident and odometer records.
- Compare the report to the seller's story and the paperwork before you pay.
Decode the VIN → Get the history report (paid partner) →
The history report is sold by our partner, and we may earn a commission. The VIN decoder and NHTSA recalls are part of this site.
Need state-specific title and inspection rules? Open the state guides.
Questions people ask
What does a vehicle history report show?
Title brands, accident and damage records, odometer readings, theft or salvage events, open recalls and past title transfers. It covers the vehicle, not the owner.
Can I run a report with only a plate?
Some providers can start from a plate and state and resolve the VIN; others require the VIN. If you have the VIN, use it — it is the exact identifier.
How much does a report cost?
Prices vary by provider and by whether you buy a single report or a subscription. Check the price, what is included and the refund policy before you pay.
Is a vehicle history report the same as a VIN decode?
No. A VIN decode returns factory specs and open recalls from NHTSA. A history report adds title brands, accidents, odometer and past sales from commercial data sources.
What is NMVTIS?
NMVTIS is the U.S. Department of Justice's National Motor Vehicle Title Information System. Check that a provider is on the official approved list before you buy.
Can a report show the owner's name?
No. Owner names and addresses are not part of a public vehicle history report; they are restricted to permitted uses. A report covers the vehicle.