Best Free VIN Decoders
Having already covered the best and most popular paid VIN decoders, it is now time to focus on the most popular VIN search sites on the internet. Yes, you are correct; today we will discuss free VIN decoders.
You may believe that the difference between paid and free VIN decoders is insignificant enough to justify the investment, but you would be incorrect. Although both types use the same sources (in most cases), the information displayed is not identical.
When you pay for a VIN search, you want to get as much information as possible about the vehicle’s actual mileage, a number of owners, potential recalls, title, maintenance records, insurance claims, and so on. Paid VIN decoders compete by providing accurate data about the vehicle’s condition, which free VIN decoders cannot. However, this does not rule out the existence of free VIN decoder websites. They can be extremely useful, but you must know when and how to use them.
When should you use a free VIN decoder?
The only trustworthy information that free VIN decoders can provide is information about the vehicle itself – model year, engine option, trim, version, colours, and so on. This means that free VIN decoders come in handy when you’re not sure what kind of car you’re looking at.
Assume you discovered a band find classic or are looking to buy a rare version and are unsure if it is the right car. Simply use the free VIN decoder from our list, and you’ll know whether you’re looking at a genuine 1993 Mustang SVT Cobra or a well-disguised but ordinary Fox-body 5.0 GT. As a result, free VIN decoders are used when the condition or mileage is not the primary concern, or when it is obvious. So, let’s see who comes out on top.
#1 Myfreevin.com
The interesting thing about myfreevin.com is that it gives you exactly what you need without trying to impress you with trivial information like whether or not the car in question has a sunroof. Because myfreevin.com is a CarVertical affiliate site, the information is very accurate and is only displayed if proven.
By testing myfreevin.com and some other similar sites, I discovered that only this free VIN decoder supported cars from all over the world. Most competitors only covered cars built and sold in the United States, as well as a few select European brands; however, it made no difference whether the vehicle in question was JDM-spec Mazda, US-built Chevrolet, or EU-spec Peugeot. As a result, it is the best one available and a valuable but free VIN decoder for you to use.
#2 vindecoderz.com
The vindecoderz.com service is ambitious, especially for a free VIN decoder. It provides not only basic VIN checks but also license plate searches (for vehicles registered in the United States only) and information on problems and recalls. Although this is a fantastic idea, the service is not up to par. There isn’t much information about recalls, the system only covers a few models, and the license plate search is flawed, failing to recognize older tags.
The good news is that if you scroll down, you will find a guide on how to manually read VIN numbers as well as a list of supported manufacturers. This is useful if you need to manually decode a specific or old-style VIN number.
#3 decodethis.com
Decodethis. com goes above and beyond the previous two entries by providing very accurate VIN results pertaining to the make-model-model year. When the search engine recognizes the vehicle, it searches several popular used car websites for similar vehicles that are for sale. This useful feature immediately displays vehicle prices, allowing you to determine whether you are getting a good deal or not.
This free VIN also makes use of databases to provide a detailed spec sheet with the original MSRP price (if available). The service attempts to list all options available on the vehicle, but I tested this free VIN decoder and discovered that the list of equipment is inconclusive, so don’t rely on it.
#4 vindecoder.net
This free VIN decoder has a cool feature that is only available on a few US-built models. When you search the VIN number, it displays the standard make-model-model year data as well as some factory specifications such as tyre size, dimensions, fuel consumption, and so on.
When you enter your VIN into vindecoder.net, it detects the type of vehicle and searches automotive databases for factory specifications, if they are available. This handy feature comes in handy when you want to check to see if the car you’re thinking about buying has factory-correct tire size, brakes, trim level, and so on.
Additionally, vindecoder.net offers paid VIN reports from the VinAudit service.
#5 vinformer.su
When you enter your 17-digit VIN number into vinformer.su, you will receive information about your vehicles such as the make, model, model year, and engine option. Nothing out of the ordinary, nothing that goes above and beyond what other similar services provide. The good news is that this free VIN decoder is fast and can display information for both older and non-US models.
If you want more information, vinformer.su is linked to other well-known and paid VIN decoders like Carfax, so you can get it for a fee.
Best PAID Vehicle History Reports
There are numerous free VIN decoder services available online. Free reports, as appealing as they may sound, are not your best option. Free services frequently leave out important vehicle information that could be critical to your decision to buy or not buy. As a result, before making any deals, use a VIN decoder to obtain a history report and stick to paid services if you expect good quality.
Carfax vs. VINCheckPro
Have you finally decided to purchase a used vehicle? Why spend thousands of dollars on a new car when there are great used cars available that will save you a lot of money? I can assure you that buying a used car is a wise financial decision. There are numerous VIN decoder services available to help you avoid any unpleasant surprises during and after your purchase.
VIN Audit, VIN DNA, VINCheckPro, and Carfax are among the most popular services in the automotive industry. I compared the last two to give you an idea of the best car history reports available at various prices. Here’s a quick comparison of VINCheckPro vs. Carfax history reports.
Overview of Carfax
Carfax is by far the most popular provider of vehicle history reports in the automotive industry. This service offers the most detailed reports in the most user-friendly format. All information about the vehicle in question is organized and labeled appropriately, so you won’t miss any important details. Carfax also has access to one of North America’s largest car history databases. All used cars manufactured after 1981 are eligible for the service. This includes all vehicles manufactured in the United States and Canada, as well as cars manufactured in Europe and imported from the United States.
Carfax is one of the primary options for trusted vehicle retailers because it relies on over 20 000 data sources. However, such high report accuracy comes at a price. After all, Carfax is by far one of the most expensive report services on the market. A single-vehicle history report will set you back $39.99. Three vehicle reports are also available for $79.99 or five reports for $99.99. Despite the high prices, Carfax offers excellent value, including detailed and comprehensive reports with maximum data accuracy.
Overview of VINCheckPro
VINCheckPro is at the opposite end of the spectrum when compared to Carfax. This is a much more cost-effective option, particularly for those looking to compare multiple used vehicles. It’s worth noting that VINCheckPro uses the same database as Carfax, which means it has access to all relevant data about vehicle details and accidents from a variety of sources. VINCheckPro also provides each user with one free report. Their website claims that your first vehicle history report will be free, but their payment details are not very clear.
Your information will be shared with trusted partners in order to claim your free report, as stated in the privacy policy. That means you should expect sales calls and spam emails from third parties who may or may not be related to the automobile industry. After all, even free services are not without cost. In terms of VINCheckPro pricing, one report (after the free one) costs $6.95, while five reports cost $12.95. Their FAQ section also mentions a subscription model with recurring fees, despite the fact that this option is not available at checkout. Aside from the obvious lack of pricing transparency, VINCheckPro offers detailed reports for 90% of US vehicles manufactured after 1980.
VINCheckPro vs. Carfax: A Side-by-Side Comparison
Now that you’re familiar with both services, here’s a direct comparison of the two:
Report highlights include:
Because VINCheckPro and Carfax use the same database, their report data is very similar. Both services offer information on vehicle titles, odometer readings, lemons and buybacks, previous car ownership, inspections and repairs, and road accidents. VINCheckPro goes a step further by offering the option to run a background check on the car owner and their personal information. So far, both services have checked millions of vehicles with high accuracy. As a result, when it comes to reporting detailing, they appear to be on the same team.
VinCheckerPro vs CARFAX Pricing:
The primary distinction between VINCheckPro and Carfax is in pricing. Carfax is a much more expensive option. Their five reports cost $99.99, whereas VINCheckPro charges only $12.95 for five reports. Naturally, if you need to compare multiple vehicles and don’t have a lot of money, you’ll go with VINCheckPro. However, there is a reason why Carfax is so much more expensive: it is easier to use.
Carfax definitely takes the win in this category because their reports have a much better structure. All critical information is clearly laid out and labeled so you don’t miss anything. In comparison to VINCheckPro, their reports are easier to read and appear much more professional. Carfax is also more user-friendly due to its pricing transparency and overall better reputation. VINCheckPro’s website contains a few flaws that may cause you to doubt its reliability.
Conclusion
Everything boils down to one final question: Which is better, VINCheckPro or Carfax? Of course, the answer is contingent. If you’re on a tight budget and don’t want to spend $100 on five vehicle reports, VINCheckPro is the better option.
