A VinDocs History Report Will Tell You All the Important Facts You Need to Know Before Buying a Used Car

A VinDocs History Report Will Tell You All the Important Facts You Need to Know Before Buying a Used Car

Running a vehicle check is perhaps the most crucial step you need to take when buying a car. The good news is that it is also the easiest thing to do.

Keep reading to learn how to check a car's history, what a vehicle check report will tell you, and things that should raise alarm bells.

VinDocs vehicle checker
VinDocs will help you buy a car worry-free. Image: Supplied
Source: UGC

Then, you'll be able to complete your vehicle purchase free of worry because an informed car buyer is a happy one.

What is a vehicle check?

A written vehicle check sometimes called a VIN check or VIN report, is a record of everything you need to know about a car. It helps you to determine whether you're getting a good deal or if the seller is trying to pull a fast one on you.

Buying a 2nd-hand car can be a gamble; the written car checker is just as important as having a trusted mechanic who knows what to check when buying a used car.

How to do a vehicle check

The first thing you need to look up a VIN is the vehicle registration number, also called the VIN or vehicle identification number. This is your car's fingerprint; it tells you where your vehicle has been and what has happened to it.

It's quick and easy to run a vehicle report: simply visit VinDocs and use what many deem to be the best VIN checker to get the most comprehensive vehicle report in South Africa.

What will a VinDocs report show?

VinDocs Report
A VinDocs history report will give car buyers vital information before buying a car. Image: Supplied
Source: UGC

You can use a VinDocs vehicle history report to find out who your car's previous owner(s) was, where they lived, and how long they owned the vehicle.

You can check the VIN for stolen reports, review the service history to ensure regular maintenance, and do a VIN check for recalls of both safety and cosmetic problems. Most importantly, you can find out if the car has been in any accidents, written off, or totalled due to a mishap, water damage, or other problem.

However, a VinDocs vehicle history digs deeper and answers questions that a dealer's report won't, including:

  • Are there any signs of odometer fraud, like the odometer being rolled back?
  • Does the technical information in the advertisement match what is actually on the vehicle?
  • How do other consumers rate the car?
  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of the vehicle?
  • What are the other similar models of the car, and how much are they worth?
  • What specs and options does the vehicle have?
  • How safe is the car?
  • Does the car have all the necessary equipment?
  • What is the sales history?
  • What is the average resale value?
  • Is this sale a good deal?

What else should I check in a used car?

Even the best vehicle reports are no match for your own senses. Always check out the vehicle for evidence of off-book or unreported repairs. Look at the exterior to ensure the paint matches and take note of any scratches or dents.

Always do a test drive before you buy and listen to the car when you do. Does the transmission shift smoothly, or does it catch? Is the engine quiet, or is it knocking? Is the muffler okay, or is there a hole in the exhaust? Does the car generally run normally, or is it sluggish?

Smell the trunk and the interior for musty or mouldy odours that might indicate water damage. Run the heat and air conditioning to check for burning or mustiness. If you smell petrol, that could mean a fuel leak. If you're not sure precisely what to look for, have a trusted friend or mechanic accompany you.

Final thoughts

There's a lot to consider when purchasing a used car. You want a good deal, but you must also confirm you're buying a good, safe vehicle with a clear title. Instead of doing all the research yourself, or relying on the dealership's word, run a VinDocs vehicle history report. You'll know instantly whether to shake hands or walk away.

With the support of iol.co.za

Car salesman puts on a show at the dealership, a woman collects her whip in viral video

Briefly News previously reported that the Volkswagen car salesman whose dance moves went viral is in the news again.

A new video was uploaded by Phathutshedzo Sigudu Mutheiwana, a new vehicle sales executive at Bidvest McCarthy Volkswagen, and it shows the famous Collen salesman handing over a car to a client at Volkswagen Arcadia.

Collen's antics and bespoke handover of vehicles went viral a few weeks back, and South Africans who watched the video loved him. In the latest clip, he has a partner who joins in on the dancing, much to the woman's amusement

Source: Briefly News

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