So you found yourself a beautiful classic car at a dealership or from a private seller to add to your collection? Or do you want to drive one? Either way, it has to be a car that is good enough to drive and is roadworthy. Everyone knows classic cars are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars (or their equivalent in your currency), and if you embark on that investment, you will most definitely want to get a vehicle that is reliable enough to stay in good shape for a long time.
Then you may ask, how do you know which classic cars are in good condition at a dealership? Easy! Through a classic car history report. With this report, you can verify the overall condition of that beautiful vintage car you have in mind and expose hidden records, if any. In this article, we will closely examine how to get a classic car history report and what to look for when reviewing the information it provides.
What is a classic car history report?
A classic vehicle history report is a document that contains everything you need to know about the classic car you are interested in purchasing. In this report, you will find the history and records of a vehicle and its vehicle specifications. You can also verify the overall condition of the classic car and determine if it’s a good fit for you.
This report has often saved car buyers from buying damaged classic vehicles with hidden histories. Since classic cars are very old vehicles, there is every tendency that they may have developed a defect over the years. With this report, you can easily spot these defects and damages and even identify potential problems that may come up in the future. What does a classic car history report contain? Let’s find out in the next section.
What information can be found in an old car history report?
The information found on the vehicle history report of a classic car is dependent on the vehicle history report provider, but with Classic Decoder, you can be sure that you are getting all of the information you need to make the best decisions. So what can you find here?
- Vehicle specifications
- Title history
- Lien or Loan Records
- Junk, salvage, and insurance records
- Auction Records
- Sale records, and more.
Why do you need a classic car history report?
A classic car VIN history report is one of the most important tools for making the best dealership decisions or purchasing from a private seller. With the report, no buyer can scam or defraud you, as you have first-hand information about the vehicle. You can confirm the vehicle’s authenticity before purchasing, as well as its damage and accident history.
Another reason why every classic car enthusiast needs a vehicle history report is for negotiations. The authenticity of a classic car usually determines the asking price, which means the more original a vehicle is, the more it costs, and vice versa. With a vehicle history report, you can negotiate properly and get your vehicle at a fair price.
What to Look for in a Classic Car History Report
After generating a classic car history report from Classic Decoder, there are some details you should pay good attention to, such as:
- Vehicle specifications
- Title records
Vehicle Specifications
As mentioned earlier, with the vehicle specifications, you can tell which classic vehicle is original and which is rebuilt. This way, you can negotiate to buy a vehicle with replaced parts or a fake classic vehicle. It also helps during negotiations and can protect you from car scams and fraudsters.
Title Records
It is also a good idea to look at the title records section of a classic car vehicle history report. Titles are usually a red flag for most car buyers and should be for you. Title brands only show that the vehicle may not be roadworthy or unsafe to drive. For example, a salvage title shows that a vehicle was involved in a severe accident and was declared a total loss. This means there is every tendency that the vehicle will develop potential defects in the future. Do you think it’s something you can handle? Think about it.
The information you will receive is very comprehensive, so it’s important to pay attention to the full report, in order to find any red flags.
Getting Started With Classic Decoder: How to Get a Classic Car History Report
Interested classic car enthusiasts and buyers deserve the best source of information during the car-buying process. This is why we recommend the classic car VIN decoder provided by Classic Decoder.
To get a detailed classic car history report from Classic Decoder, simply follow these steps:
- First, locate your classic car’s VIN. The vehicle identification number of the classic car you are interested in will usually be 5 to 13 characters long. This VIN can be found on the vehicle’s dashboard near the windshield, on vehicle registration documents, insurance papers, etc.
- After getting the VIN of your car, visit the Classic Decoder website.
- Navigate to the classic car VIN decoder or the vehicle history report tool.
- Generate the vehicle history report and evaluate the reliability and authenticity of the vehicle you are interested in.
A classic car history report is a small but necessary document to protect you from purchasing a damaged or defective vehicle. With the document, you can be sure you are making the right investment decision and buying the perfect classic car. Use Classic Decoder’s free and paid tools and get good value during a car purchase.
