Ohio Vehicle History Report

Buying a car is a sizable investment, and it is important that you take every possible step to ensure the quality of your purchase. In addition to checking the car for physical damage before purchase, it is also a good idea to order a vehicle history report.

If you’re buying a car in the state of Ohio, you will need an Ohio vehicle history report. You can obtain this from your local Department of Motor Vehicles. Vehicle history reports are particulary useful if you are looking to buy a used car. They contain a detailed list of all the previous owners of the vehicle, as well as the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), a 17 digit code which contains information on the make and model of the car.

Using this data, you can determine exactly how many owners the car has been through, and use it to verify whether the car you are purchasing is really of the quality the seller claims. In simple terms, an Ohio vehicle history report is an effective way to know exactly what you are getting so that the seller does not have undue advantage over you.

Your vehicle history report also documents any major accidents or misdemeanors that the vehicle has been involved in. Many sellers often refurbish cars damaged by floods to look superficially appealing and conceal major internal flaws. The vehicle history report will allow you to determine whether you are being sold a ‘lemon’, as these defective cars are commonly called. If you are spending a large amount of money on a used car, you want to make sure it does not have a bad track-record.

In addition to crimes, misdemeanors, and accidents, the vehicle history report also contains information about the use of the vehicle as public transport. Often, taxis and rental vehicles can be refurbished and sold as used cars, and given the extensive usage that such vehicles undergo, their appeal for purchase may lessen.  You want to buy a used car that still has a good number of miles left in it, to make the most of your investment.