Buying used cars can save you lots of money compared to buying a new car right from the dealer. But there are some risks involved with buying a used car. It’s tough to tell what the car has been through just by looking at it. Has it been in an accident? Has it had water damage? Is it a lemon? You can easily get some peace of mind by spending a little money to invest in a vehicle history report from a company like CARFAX or AutoCheck. Wondering what you can learn from a vehicle history report? Here is the information you can expect to receive when you purchase a CarFax or AutoCheck report.

How Many Owners Has the Car Had?

The vehicle history records may show when the title was renewed or issued which indicates how many owners the car has had. This is important because if a car was passed around several times that could be a clue that there may be some issues with it. Also, If the car has only had one or two more owners there is a chance that it was cared for better than a car that was owned for a short period by several people.

How Many Miles Did the Owners Drive It?

Along with the number of owners you’ll find out the estimated mileage that each owner put on the car. It’s important to look closely at these numbers because they could indicated odometer fraud if they don’t add up properly.

Where Did the Car Spend Its Time?

If you live in a more mild state, you may not want a car that spent several years enduring harsh winters in Minnesota. There could be additional rust from the sand and salt used to melt ice during the winter months.

Did the Car Experience Damage or Were the Airbags Deployed?

This is one of the biggest reasons to get a vehicle history report. You will find out if the car was in an accident or whether it sustained major or minor damage. If a car has had major damage, even though it’s repaired, there may be underlying issues that remain.

Did the Car Receive Regular Maintenance?

Sometimes the vehicle history report will also include detailed information about oil changes, routine maintenance and servicing. If a car was regularly serviced according to manufacturer suggestions, then you know it was well cared for.

Does the Car Have a Warranty?

If the car is still under a manufacturer warranty the vehicle history report should indicate that.