How to check a US car by VIN before you buy

The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a 17-character code unique to every car. For a car from the US it is the main key to its history: accidents, previous auctions, mileage, repairs. Checking the VIN before you bid takes a few minutes and can save you from an expensive mistake.

What the VIN encodes

  • Characters 1-3 — the manufacturer and country of assembly (a US-built car often starts with 1, 4 or 5; a Japanese-built one with J).
  • Characters 4-8 — model, body type, engine.
  • Character 10 — the model year (for example R = 2024, S = 2025, T = 2026).
  • Characters 11-17 — the plant and serial number.

The VIN alone already lets you check that the year and trim match the lot description.

Where to find the history

Carfax and AutoCheck

The best-known paid reports in the US. They show the number of owners, insurance claims, mileage on various dates, service records and usage (personal, taxi, rental). A report is not always complete, but mileage discrepancies or a hidden serious accident usually show up.

Auction archives

If the car has been sold on Copart or IAAI before, the VIN often turns up older photos — sometimes with different damage. It is the best way to spot a car being "flipped" after a poor repair.

NMVTIS

A US government database that records Salvage, Junk and other branded titles. It helps confirm whether the car has had a total loss before.

What to watch for

  1. Mileage — the same or logically increasing across sources. A Not Actual or Exempt status is a warning sign.
  2. Several auctions in a row — a car sold repeatedly may have had a failed repair.
  3. Flooding — especially in regions hit by hurricanes.
  4. Usage — an ex-taxi or rental car usually has more wear.
  5. Photos that match — colour, trim and wheels should match the history.

Why the VIN is sometimes hidden

On some lots Copart shows only part of the VIN, with the last characters replaced by asterisks. The full code is available to registered buyers. If such a lot interests you, send us the lot number and a manager will check the car.

How we help

Before you bid, a BidBridge manager checks the lot's history, photos and damage with you. Find a car in our catalogue — search works by make, model and lot number — and calculate the full delivered cost to Poland or Ukraine in the calculator.

Paid history reports are not included in our fees by default; ask your manager.

This article is for information purposes only. It is based on our experience and common practice in buying cars at US auctions and does not constitute an offer within the meaning of Art. 66 § 1 of the Polish Civil Code (Kodeks cywilny) or advice about any specific car. The client decides to buy a car at auction independently and at their own responsibility.