How to Use a VIN Report to Negotiate Like a Pro

Getting the right price on the car you want can take a lot of effort. But with the right attitude, and the information you get from a ClearVIN vehicle history report, you can keep the cost down on a quality used car. Here are tips on how a VIN report can help you get the best price.

Go Prepared

There’s a reason the old saying, “knowledge is power”, is still quoted—because it’s still true. Maybe these days it’s even more critical than ever, since so many people have access to reams of digital information. When standing toe-to-toe with a car sales professional, you can know more about the car than the salesperson. Chances are they haven’t seen the results of a car VIN check. The sales person doesn’t know if the car was once a taxi, a rental, was a test vehicle or many other ways the car may have been used.

If the car was once taxi it may have seen hard use with minimal maintenance. On the other hand, if it was a rental, it may be been used relatively gently and received regular maintenance. Either way, knowing this will help you determine what you’re willing to pay and keep you clear in your negotiation.

Know What Others Have Paid for the Vehicle

With a used vehicle you know you aren’t the first owner. But you may not know if you are the second, third or tenth. With a ClearVIN report you can see if the car has been sold at auction. You can see how many times it was sold at auction and for what prices. You can also see the full title history. This tells you what states it’s been in and for how long. You can also see what the mileage was each time the title changed.

Know if Someone is Trying to Pull the Wool Over Your Eyes

Some sellers are truth challenged; some just don’t know what they are talking about, but that doesn’t stop them from talking. With a ClearVIN vehicle history report you get to see through any questionable claims. Maybe the seller will tell you the car has never been in a hurricane, but you can see that it was once titled several years ago with saltwater damage.

Knowledge is power. A free VIN number check gives you the ability to use that power to your advantage when negotiating the price for your next car. Alternatively, take a look at a license plate number lookup that provides you with a vehicle history overview in cases where there is not a VIN number available.