Vehicle Histories Available for Classic-Car Buyers
Classic.Cars.com connects with instaVIN to help buyers make sure they get what they paid for.
Buying a classic car can be dicey. The vehicle obviously has a long history, but there’s no way to check its past the way you can with a newer vehicle through services such as Carfax -- well, until now, that is.
ClassicCars.com has connected with instaVIN to become the first significant classified website for classic cars to provide vehicle history reports. Prior to this, history reports for vehicles dating back to before 1981 were harder to come by than an 8-track tape player.
Each instaVIN report supplies a car’s title history, insurance losses, open lien status, theft history, info on junk and salvage events and historical sales and listing data. The reports are priced from $6.99 each.
Title and brand data are accessed by InstaVIN through the federal government's National Motor Vehicle Title Information System, which searches state Department of Motor Vehicles records. ClassicCars.com notes that title information usually reaches back only five to 10 years, however, depending on the state.
InstaVIN says it scours more than 40 million insurance total-loss, junkyard and salvage records to provide classic-car shoppers with info on whether the vehicle has recently gone through a salvage auction, been seen in a junkyard or declared a total loss. When possible, vehicle details such as year, make and model are verified using the vehicle identification number so the buyer and seller can confirm that a classic car is accurately represented.
Having a vehicle history report in hand helps consumers detect title glitches before buying or selling a classic car, and prevents potential fraud or problems that can affect a classic car’s safety and value. Just ask anyone bidding at Barrett-Jackson.
[Source: InsideLine]
A history report cannot tell the buyer the CURRENT condition of any component and system or accurately tell the vehicle true history.
Regardless of what make or model of used vehicle you buy, or if you buy it from a dealer, individual or online, certified pre-owned,or if it’s a classic vehicle, the #1 reason bad cars are bought is the buyers’ inability to properly determine the current condition of the vehicle before purchase.
A pre-purchase inspection is the most important part of the buying process.
However, when getting a pre-purchase inspection, most buyers don’t know the difference between an "ASE Technician" and an "ASE Master Technician" and a “Body & Frame Specialist”. The differences will affect the quality and comprehensiveness of the pre-purchase inspection.
The differences between automotive technicians can be viewed at “UsedCarInspections.ORG”. This is a non-profit consumer site filled with helpful tips and information on how to select an automotive technician and what type of information you should receive from a pre-purchase inspection.
To properly inspect today's used vehicles, you need an ASE Certified Master Technician to examine ALL mechanical & electrical components and systems, and a Body & Frame Specialist to determine existing and previous accident damage.
Carfax or any history reports do not report all accidents and cannot tell you the extent of any accident damage, or the quality of any repairs, or the current condition of ANY mechanical or electrical component. There are 7 problems with a Carfax or any Vehicle History report visit www.usedcarinspections.org/carfax.htm.
Be sure you also read the “Top 10 Used Car Buying Myths, Mistakes, and Pitfalls” at www.UsedCarInspections.ORG/top10.htm.
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