Consumers' Auto Detective

Specializing in Assisting the CONSUMER

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Informational links for those interested in purchasing a used car

Buying a used car Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan provides helpful information.

Protecting from Consumer Fraud  National Association of Consumer Advocates 

Rebuilt Vehicles  The Auto Channel reports that over the last five years, the number of salvaged cars revealed by Carfax Vehicle History Reports has increased nationwide by more than fifty percent.

Thieves target wrecking yards for good VINs  KOB TV - Albuquerque So what happens if someone accidentally purchased a VIN-switched car or truck? Detectives can repossess the vehicle because it is technically stolen. No Longer Available

Flood Cars  USA Today, January 8, 2009  Flooded cars go to market with little to stop them.

Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles  He purchased a certified pre-owned BMW...discovered his car was in a collision, even though it had passed a rigorous inspection by trained personnel. "Certification doesn't really mean that much," says consumer advocate Rosemary Shahan. No Longer Available

Consumer's Tip

If you are looking to buy a car registered in Illinois, the following link to the Illinois Secretary of State can provide some important information about your prospective purchase.  However, some vehicles move from state to state and in the process "wash" the titles making purchasing a vehicle history report from one of the listed services very helpful.  Others sustain heavy collision damage that never finds its way into reports.  Therefore, once all of the precautions have been used and your vehicle search has been narrowed, the most important precaution is an actual physical vehicle inspection to verify the clean paper trail.  To be safe, have your vehicle inspected by a competent professional, like Consumers' Auto Detective.

On line Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) checking services.

Free Sites

Illinois-SOS  Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White's Office offers a freeVIN service.  A vehicle has to be registered currently in Illinois to get accurate information.

NICB VINCheck  NICB's VINCheck^SM is a service provided to the public to assist in determining if a vehicle has been reported as stolen, but not recovered, or has been reported as a previously declared total loss vehicle by cooperating NICB members.  Unfortunately the information is limited and cannot be depended on as not enough insurance companies are cooperating NICB members.

Pay Sites

AutoCheck  Only AutoCheck vehicle history reports include the AutoCheck Score, a revolutionary tool that enables you to quickly and easily understand a vehicle's past, compare it to other vehicles, and lower the risk of buying a vehicle with undetected problems.

On Line Value Guides

Kelly Blue Book

National Auto Dealers Association (NADA)

Edmunds