Best way to research VIN

[Crammit442]

What's the best way to research the VIN for a potential purchase if you don't have a Carfax or other search account? I think I may have found "the one", but would like to get third party confirmation that everything's in order. Thanks in advance.
Charles

 

[flyfisher4822]

Just search the VIN in Google. Amazing what comes up!

 

[xdustin]

What has kinda worked for me in the past is to create an account on carfax to log your own work. Go here: https://www.mycarfax.com/?s_id=INT_CARFAX_002

Then add the VIN number of the car you need info on as if you already owned it. It gives you some of the basic info on the car, not a complete carfax history, but better than nothing if google doesn't net any results. I think you can add up to 5 cars or something. I just deleted ones I didn't end up buying or looking at.

 

[Ed_C]

You can also look up dealer service history (if any exists) through the Toyota Owners link on Toyota's website. It also works for Lexus vehicles.

 

[Crammit442]

You can also look up dealer service history (if any exists) through the Toyota Owners link on Toyota's website. It also works for Lexus vehicles.

I did that and got some info. Like you said though, it only lists dealer service. Thanks.
Charles

 

[spartacus]

vehiclehistory.com is another site but I've used carfax in the past and had to pay for detailed history.

 

[3rdGen4WD]

You can buy a Carfax Report on eBay for around $5 I believe I’ve done that and all my friends do it too. Cheap and instant.