VIN Investigation — 7-point background check
VIN Investigation Report
Before you hand over money, check what the VIN is hiding. Dealerhop investigates every vehicle across 7 categories and returns a Clear or Flagged verdict — so you know what to ask before you buy.
Enter any 17-character VIN — investigation reports are free with a Dealerhop account.
Investigation report
1FTFW1ET9DFA12345
1 open safety recall found
Rearview camera image may fail to display — manufacturer remedy available at no cost.
What we check
Seven checks standing between you and a bad car.
Each category is searched, verified and summarised. Anything that needs your attention comes back Flagged, with the reason spelled out.
Open safety recalls
Any unremedied recall for this make, model and year, with the remedy status.
Defect investigations
Active manufacturer or regulator investigations that may become recalls.
Theft records
Whether the VIN appears in stolen-vehicle databases (CPIC / NCIC).
Title brands & salvage
Salvage, rebuilt, junk, flood, fire and lemon branding on the vehicle's history.
Odometer & rollback alerts
Mileage inconsistencies that suggest a rolled-back or altered odometer.
VIN cloning
Whether the VIN structure matches the vehicle it is registered to.
Build origin & original spec
Plant, city, country of assembly plus engine, transmission, drivetrain and trim.
From VIN to verdict in minutes
No appointment, no phone calls, no dealership needed.
Enter the VIN
Paste the 17-character VIN — we find it on the dash or door jamb and decode it automatically.
We run every check
Recalls, theft, title brands, odometer, cloning and build origin are pulled and cross-referenced.
Read a Clear or Flagged verdict
Each category returns a plain-English result, so you know exactly what to ask the seller.
Investigations draw on public records and manufacturer data. Always pair a report with a physical inspection before buying.
VIN investigation questions
What is a VIN investigation?
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A VIN investigation is a background check on a vehicle's 17-character identification number. It cross-references manufacturer recall databases, regulator defect investigations, theft registries, title records and build data, then reports a Clear or Flagged verdict for each category before you buy.
Does a VIN check tell me if a car is stolen?
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It can. We check the VIN against stolen-vehicle databases such as CPIC in Canada and NCIC in the United States, and flag any match. Always confirm the physical VIN on the dash and door jamb matches the paperwork and the report.
How is this different from a paid history report?
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History reports focus on reported events such as accidents and service records. A Dealerhop VIN investigation focuses on open safety recalls, defect investigations, title brands, cloning and build origin — the items that decide whether a car is safe and legally clean to buy.
Where do I find my VIN?
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Look through the driver's side of the windshield at the base of the dash, or on the sticker inside the driver's door jamb. It is also printed on the registration, insurance and ownership documents.
Is the VIN investigation available in Canada and the United States?
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Yes. We draw on Transport Canada and NHTSA recall data, so vehicles from both countries can be investigated.
Check the VIN before you buy
Free with your Dealerhop account. Track the vehicle's value alongside its investigation report in one place.