Get Vehicle History Check Report in Canada
Buying a used vehicle can be challenging if you do not do a proper background check. Get a vehicle history report to ensure the vehicle was never been in an accident, stolen, or was sold at an auction.
Why Do You Need a Vehicle History Report in Canada?
A vehicle history report helps you understand the car’s background before making a decision. It shows important details such as past accidents, title status, ownership records, and more
Check the Actual Title
A vehicle report can help you check the actual title of the vehicle, so you do not accidentally purchase a stolen vehicle or one that has a lien attached to it.
Accurate Odometer Reading
The report shows a chronological log of odometer readings recorded during service appointments, registrations, and transactions. Look for sudden drops or impossible gaps in mileage. Inconsistent readings are a strong indication of tampering or fraud.
Check if the Vehicle Still Has a Financial Burden
You must ensure the seller holds a clear title. If a lien exists, the seller must clear it immediately before the transaction is finalised. Do not do any transaction until the seller gives you the paperwork.
Examine the Accident History
See a history of reported accidents, including the severity of the damage and the location of the impact. Reports include records of minor incidents like hail damage or glass claims, giving you a full picture beyond just major crashes.
What Will You Get From a Vehicle History Report?
A vehicle history report will get you the complete information on the vehicle that you will need to know before purchasing a used vehicle. Here’s a snippet of the information you will be getting in the report.
Ownership History
Check how many people have owned the vehicle. In this section, you will be able to see the information about the vehicle’s past ownership, like the year of purchase, the location, and the ownership duration. Note that you can’t see personal information like names and addresses.
Vehicle Usage Type
How a car is used directly affects its remaining lifespan. Check if the vehicle was used as a personal vehicle, taxi, rental car, leased, government vehicle, or even a police car.
Title Brand Check
It flags titles branded as Salvage, showing the vehicle was a total loss, or Rebuilt, if it was repaired and inspected afterwards. Crucially, you will be alerted to brands like Irreparable or Non-Repairable.
Accident Records
Accident history is paramount, as even minor incidents can lead to structural concerns if not repaired correctly. Check if the vehicle was in an accident through a vehicle report, find the date, and the accident location.
Mileage Check
Odometer rollbacks are one of the shadiest scams in the used vehicle market. You can see the recorded mileage along with the recorded date, which helps you to easily spot if the odometer has been tampered.
Lien and Loan Check
This check is non-negotiable; if a lien is active, the lender has a legal claim to the vehicle until the debt is paid, making you liable for the previous owner's debt. Make sure that the lien/loan is cleared off before you purchase the vehicle.
Open Recalls
The report checks for all open recalls issued by the manufacturer or Transport Canada that have not been completed on this specific VIN. You can check the date of recalls, causes, fixes, and status (open/closed).
Theft Check
Buying a stolen vehicle is a nightmare scenario; it will be seized by the police, and you will lose every penny you paid for it. Get a vehicle report to see if the vehicle was stolen, see the date and the location where it happened.
Service & Maintenance Records
This provides a detailed timeline of when and where the vehicle was sold, offering context for its entire life in Canada. The sales history confirms that the VIN in the report matches the details on the vehicle's physical paperwork, protecting you against VIN fraud.
Sales History
This provides a detailed timeline of when and where the vehicle was sold, offering context for its entire life in Canada. The sales history confirms that the VIN in the report matches the details on the vehicle's physical paperwork, protecting you against VIN fraud.
Damage Records
Damage isn't always from a collision; weather events can cause extensive, costly problems that are often hard to see, even to a trained eye. The report flags for damage from hailstones, fire, flood damage, and major/minor damage caused by an accident.
Auction History & Photos
The report provides records of when and where the vehicle was sold at an auction, the status, and the final price of the vehicle. In some cases, the report can include historical auction listing photos, allowing you to see the vehicle's condition before it was cosmetically repaired for resale.
How to Get a Vehicle History Report in Canada?
Getting a detailed vehicle history report is easy. Here’s how to protect your next purchase with a report:
Step 1: Find the VIN
Locate the 17-character VIN (found on the dashboard, driver's side door, or doorjamb).
Step 2: Fill in the Form
Enter the VIN into the form above and hit "Check VIN." Wait for a few seconds to get the report generated.
Step 3: Download the Report
Check the preview report, then proceed to payment to get the full vehicle history report. Then, you can download the full report in PDF format.
Where to Find the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Finding the VIN might seem simple, but you need to know where to look and, critically, what to check for. Here’s the location where you can find the VIN.
Driver's Side Dashboard
Look directly through the windshield on the driver’s side. You will see the VIN plate located right where the dashboard meets the glass.
Driver's Side Door Jamb Sticker
Open the driver’s side door and look down at the pillar where the latch mechanism is housed in the door jamb. There is a sticker, often white or silver, that lists the VIN.
Official Vehicle Title and Registration
The VIN is legally required to be printed on every piece of official ownership paperwork. Look for it on the vehicle title (the actual certificate of ownership) and the current registration card.
Vehicle Firewall and Engine Block
On many older vehicles and some specific models, the VIN is stamped directly into the metal of the car's body. You might find it near the firewall (the metal panel separating the engine from the cabin) or sometimes on the engine block.
Insurance Cards and Repair Invoices
Though not a physical location on the car, you can find the VIN on any paperwork. Check the insurance card, registration cards, or the use
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Feature
- Canada-Focused Data
- Province-by-Province Check
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- Lien & Theft Check
- Auction records with images
- Support for heavy-duty trucks, trailers & motorcycles
- Support for classic vehicles
- Ownership history map
- Window sticker service
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Where to Check Vehicle History in Canada?
VINNumber.ca offers detailed, accurate, and affordable Canadian VIN reports, and thousands across the country trust them. That said, several other data-specific and province-based providers exist:
Alberta Vehicle History Report:
Ontario Vehicle History Report:
British Columbia Vehicle History Report:
Manitoba Vehicle History Report:
Saskatchewan Vehicle History Report:
How Vehicle History Affects Vehicle Value in Canada
Used vehicles with clean histories - no accidents, no liens, well-documented service - sell faster and for more money. On the other hand, past accidents, branding, or multiple ownership changes can drop resale value by 10–30%. Buying a VINNumber.ca vehicle history report in Canada lets you price fairly, negotiate smarter, and avoid costly surprises.
Check the Vehicle's Hidden Past Easily
Used vehicles with clean records, no undisclosed accidents, no hidden liens, and well-documented service always sell faster and for more money. Don’t forget to get the classic history report to check the specs and records of your classic ride!