Getting a vehicle history report (VHR) is an important step before you buy a used car. It provides you with valuable information on the history of the car you are about to purchase and can save you from buying one that has a history of problems or was previously salvaged.
While there are plenty of VHR options to choose from, the decision over which VHR you purchase will likely come down to:
- How detailed you want the report to be.
AND - Whether or not you’ll need a VHR for more than one vehicle.
Single, Multiple & Subscription VHRs
When shopping around for a used car, you have three options for pulling a vehicle history report:
- A single VHR.
- Lets you review the history of one vehicle.
- Multiple VHRs.
- Most private companies, such as our approved partner, will provide detailed reports for up to 5 different vehicles; however, this number may vary depending on the provider.
- A subscription VHR service.
- Lets you view unlimited reports for the duration of the subscription.
Choosing the Best VHR Option
Whether you need to purchase single or multiple vehicle history reports will depend upon how many cars you’ll need to run reports on.
For example, if you already have a vehicle picked out that you’re relatively sure about, you likely only need to run a single report. On the other hand, if you’re spreading your car shopping out over a few weeks or even months, a subscription service will likely be the most convenient and save you money in the long run.
Other factors you should consider may include:
- Who you are purchasing the car from.
- If you have family or friends who might also need a VHR for a used vehicle.
To help you make the right decision on whether to order a single or multiple VHR(s), here are a few more potential scenarios:
Scenario A
You’re looking at three different used vehicles. Two of those vehicles are being sold at a dealership, and the third is for sale by its current owner.
Your Best Option
Since most car dealerships will provide a free VHR for vehicles for sale on their lot, a single vehicle history report for the private sale will be your cheapest option.
Scenario B
You’re looking at three used cars, all for sale online. You want to narrow your choices before shopping in person. You don’t have any family or friends who also plan to buy a used car soon.
Your Best Option
Your best choice will be to purchase the multiple VHR option. Since you don’t need more than three reports, the subscription service isn’t necessary; and by narrowing your choices by checking each car’s VHR, you save yourself time in checking the vehicles out in person.
Scenario C
You’ve found four different used cars that you’re interested in, all for sale by owner. Your father-in-law is also looking for a used car at the same time and plans to obtain a VHR before he decides to buy.
Your Best Option
Mostly likely a subscription will be your best choice, since you may need VHRs for more than 5 vehicles, depending on your father-in-law’s search.