Checking whether a car is stolen is crucial to ensure you’re not engaging in an illegal transaction, supporting theft, or purchasing a vehicle with a questionable history. There are several effective methods to verify a car’s legitimacy and ascertain its ownership status.
One primary step is to obtain the car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This unique identifier can be found on the vehicle’s title, registration card, or often on a metal plate located on the dashboard, visible through the windshield. With the VIN in hand, you can run a vehicle history report through reputable sources such as the National Vehicle Crime Information System (NICB), the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), or commercial providers like Carfax and AutoCheck.