Vehicle History
Understanding Vehicle History
How to read a vehicle history report, what title brands mean, and how mileage records fit into the bigger picture.
- 01
Start with the VIN
The 17-character Vehicle Identification Number appears on the dashboard near the windshield and on the driver door jamb. Make sure both match the paperwork.
- 02
What history reports typically show
Reports compile records reported by various sources. They can be helpful, but they only reflect events that were reported.
- Title history and ownership count.
- Reported accidents or damage.
- Odometer readings at recorded events.
- Some service and registration records.
- 03
Title brands explained
A branded title signals a significant event in the vehicle's past. Common brands include salvage, rebuilt, flood, and lemon law buyback. Definitions vary by state.
- 04
Mileage considerations
Average annual mileage is often cited around 12,000 to 15,000 miles, but how those miles were driven matters. Consistent service records can matter more than the odometer number alone.