Wise people buy vehicle history reports for vehicles they are considering purchasing. Why? Because then they know the background of the vehicle and any surprises that the history might contain.
For example, a vehicle history report can tell you if the vehicle is or has been considered a salvage vehicle; if the vehicle’s odometer has ever been suspected of being rolled back, if the vehicle’s odometer “exceeds mechanical limits,” in other words if the vehicle has more miles on it than can be recorded on the odometer; if the vehicle is considered a “gray market” vehicle, one that has perhaps been imported into the country but does not meet U.S. safety and/or environmental standards; if the vehicle has been reported as having significant hail or water damage; if the vehicle has ever been reported as being a “lemon”; if it is considered “scrapped,” or junked, in which case it cannot be titled, or if the vehicle has been declared to have a clean record, in other words nothing negative has ever been reported about the minivan.
You can buy a vehicle history report from one of the companies listed on this Voyager-dedicated page for $20 to $60. The more money you spend, the more detail you will see on the report.
In addition to the above information, the sixty-dollar report also includes a title search, which tells you whether the title is actually “clear”: if the title has any liens or other legal encumbrances attached to it. Should this be the case, it will prevent you from transferring the title to your name and thereby prevents you taking possession of the Voyager you plan to buy.
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in your state may also provide vehicle history reports. Check with your local DMV and ask what a report includes and how much it costs.
You can also buy a vehicle history service that allows you to obtain vehicle histories for a number of vehicles for a certain price. This allows you to get information about a number of vehicles while you shop. In other words, if you are not sure of the type of vehicle you want or if you are considering a number of vehicles about which you want information, you can buy this plan that lasts for a specific period of time (usually 60 days). Some plans cover an unlimited number of vehicles.
Reports can tell you if the Voyager you like has ever been considered a “salvage” vehicle. If so, it means that the vehicle was damaged in a fire, flood, hailstorm or in some other manner. The Voyager could have been damaged to the point where extensive repairs were needed in order to bring it to a point were it could be placed back on the market.
To order a vehicle history report, the company or the DMV will ask you for a vehicle identification number (VIN). Locate this 16-digit number on the driver’s side dashboard of your Voyager (you can see it through the windshield), or the driver’s side door frame.
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