North Carolina VIN Check | Vehicle History Report in NC

Buying a Used Car in the State of North Carolina? Read this before you buy!

The process of buying a pre-owned car in North Carolina can be met with a variety of unique local challenges. Used car buying experience in North Carolina will be shaped by various environmental, economic and regulatory conditions. From increased property crime rate to harsh weather conditions, there are several hurdles that can complicate the car-buying process in this state.

North Carolina has a higher rate of property crimes, which includes vehicle theft. According to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the state's vehicle theft rate is 20% higher than the national average. In fact, in 2021, there were over 20,000 reported vehicle thefts in North Carolina with cities like Charlotte and Raleigh experiencing the highest rates of vehicle thefts. This means that there is a greater risk of buying a car that has been stolen or involved in criminal activities which can lead to legal complications and financial losses.

Some cities and areas within the state also face significant economic challenges with a higher poverty rate and lower median household income in certain areas compared to the national average. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the poverty rate in some parts of North Carolina is 15%, which is 3% higher than the national average. Economic hardship can lead to poorly maintained vehicles being sold on the used car market as owners may not have the resources to keep their cars in good condition.

Further exacerbating vehicle ownership affordability issue in the state is the high insurance rates. North Carolina has among the highest car insurance rates in the country. The North Carolina Department of Insurance reports that the average annual cost of auto insurance in the state is $1,350, which is about 25% higher than the national average. A compact sedan in Charlotte might have an insurance premium that is as much as 35% higher than a similar vehicle in a less densely populated area. This is due to factors such as elevated crime rates, the cost of repairs in urban areas and the state's no-fault insurance system.

One other important fact to keep in mind is that North Carolina is a predominantly rural state. The North Carolina Department of Commerce notes that over 60% of the state's population lives in rural or semi-rural areas. This can make it challenging to find a wide selection of used cars, especially in smaller towns where there may be only a handful of dealerships or private sellers. The limited options can lead to higher prices and fewer choices.

In addition to socioeconomic issues North Carolina is also affected by extreme weather events, particularly during the winter months. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) reports that the state experiences an average of 10 tornadoes per year and heavy rainfall can lead to flash flooding particularly in the eastern and coastal regions. These weather events can cause significant damage to vehicles, including storm related body damage and water damage to vital vehicle components such as engine, transmission and electrical systems.

The Most Important things to be aware of when shopping for a car in North Carolina

Understand the unique challenges plaguing North Carolina's used car market is just a part of the equation. To be able to tell apart a good reasonably priced vehicle from one that has diminished value due to mechanical, electrical, cosmetic, mechanical, structural or legal issues, it is imperative to investigate the vehicle's history. Determining the type of life the vehicle has lived can help you assess its value, safety and long-term reliability. A vehicle history report in North Carolina is one of the most powerful tools in the used car buyer's arsenal as it may reveal information that the seller may not want you to know.

A full vehicle history report in North Carolina may provide vital vehicle history details as they relate to:

Accident History: A vehicle with accident history especially with accidents rated average or above severity are more likely to have diminished value due to uncertainty of repairs and potential reliability and safety issues related to the systems that were affected during the accident. Accident details may include vital details about the event such as severity, location of damage on the vehicle, airbag deployment, total loss claim details and more.
Identify Title Brands: A full vehicle history report may identify if the vehicle has a branded title. A branded title is commonly issued when the insurance company deems the vehicle a total loss. Which generally means that it will cost more than 80% of the vehicle's value to have the vehicle property repaired. Some of these branded title vehicles are purchased from the insurance company by third party brokers and body shops and are repaired and put back on the road. However, regardless the quality of the repair a vehicle with a history of total loss claim will always carry a salvaged title in the state and is considered less desirable on the used car market and have a diminished value due to its overall undesirability. Amongst the most common title brands are salvage, junk, lemon, theft recover, TMU (Total Mileage Unknown), flood, fire and reconstructed.
Theft Check: A VIN check report may also identify potential indicators that the vehicle is stolen or has a history of theft recovery. Commonly a vehicle that is recovered by the insurance company may be branded as a "Theft Recovery" title.
Title Status: A title status can indicate if the vehicle has any undischarged liens. A lien is placed on the vehicle whenever there is debt incurred such as an auto loan or an outstanding storage or mechanic bill. Buying a vehicle with an undischarged lien can result in financial loss due to preexisting third party ownership claims. No one wants to get wrapped up in ownership battles with third party lien holders as it can be very costly and time consuming.
Ownership History: May identify the number of previous owners, duration of ownership, sale dates, sale amounts and lienholder information.
Recalls: Recall records can provide valuable details related to outstanding safety recalls.
Sale History: Sale event data is primarily comprised of transaction data such as sale amounts, dates, states where the sale was registered and possible loan amounts and lienholder details.
Odometer Records: Odometer records can offer indicators of possible odometer rollback and fraud.
Vehicle Specs & Options: Vehicle specs and options may contain everything from the vehicle engine displacement to interior color. Additionally, it may identify factory installed options as they are recorded on the vehicle's-built sheet.

While a vehicle history report in North Carolina may provide users with a good glimpse into the vehicle's past possibly helping them assess its value and desirability they cannot give a definitive representation of the vehicle's condition at the time of sale. This is why it is highly advised to have the vehicle professionally inspected by a trusted automotive technician prior to finalizing the sale.

This type of inspection can give you a clear understanding of the vehicle's current condition and help account for and budget for upcoming repairs. There is no substitute for a pre-purchase vehicle inspection as it may uncover issues that were never reported to any insurance companies, DMV or data reporting agencies. It can identify various hidden issues such as excessive corrosion, structural damage from previous collision or excessive rust, electrical faults, hidden auto body repair and more...

By checking the vehicle's history and having it inspected prior to purchase you can greatly reduce some of the risks that come with buying a preowned car in North Carolina. Additionally, by knowing what the car is worth and understanding its current condition you are better able to negotiate the price and know when to walk away from the deal.