North Dakota VIN Check | Vehicle History Report in ND

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

Buying a preowned car can be challenging in any US state, however, it is important to account for various local factors effecting the used car market in your area. If you're planning to buy a car in North Dakota it is important that you are aware of the state's unique environmental, economic and regulatory conditions. Preowned vehicles in the state are more likely to be affected by harsh weather conditions, crime and improper or lacking regular maintenance.

North Dakota is known for its extreme weather particularly during the winter months. According to the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT), the state averages over 50 inches of snowfall annually with some areas receiving over 100 inches. This severe weather can cause significant damage to vehicles, including rust, corrosion and mechanical issues.

Pre-owned vehicles in the state are also affected by the fact that North Dakota is a predominantly rural state with many areas far from major cities. This can mean that finding a reasonably priced service facility may be challenging, especially in smaller towns where there may be only a handful of dealerships or private shops. The limited options can lead to owners delaying regular maintenance and using uncertified and, in some cases, unskilled labor to perform vital repairs. Additionally, the lack of service and dealer facilities could lead to lack of used car inventory and higher prices in some areas of the state.

The local used car market is also affected by the state's lower median household income and higher than national average poverty rate. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the poverty rate in some parts of North Dakota is 13%, which is 3% higher than the national average. Ironically, North Dakota has an above average cost of vehicle ownership with the primary contributor being the state's higher insurance rates. According to the North Dakota Insurance Department, the average annual cost of auto insurance in the state is $1,400 which is about 30% higher than the national average. Economic hardship, cost of repairs, limited repair shop options and state's no-fault insurance system are all major contributing factors to poorly maintained vehicles being sold on the used car market as owners may not have the resources to keep their cars in good working condition.

Coupled with the elevated poverty rate North Dakota vehicles are more likely to be affected by the state's higher rate of vehicle theft. According to the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the state's vehicle theft rate is 15% higher than the national average. 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.

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

While buying a good car for a reasonable price in the state of North Dakota may appear somewhat daunting it can be simplified and streamlined by taking 2 precautions. These precautions will allow you to be able to easily weed out good quality vehicles from ones with histories of damage and neglect.

The first precaution is research. Beyond researching the fair market value for the vehicle you are intending to purchase it is vital to investigate the vehicle's unique history. Determining the type of life the vehicle has lived can help you assess its value, safety and long-term reliability. Getting access to vehicle records is much easier than you may think. All that is required is a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). A VIN is a unique serial number permanently imprinted on each and every road legal vehicle. This number can be used to generate a vehicle history report.

A full vehicle history report in North Dakota may uncover information that the seller may not want you to know and add some badly needed transparency to the used car buying process. Your vehicle history report may include:

Accident History: A vehicle with a history of past accidents especially ones with a record of extensive damage are generally considered less desirable and may have unresolved issues affecting their safety, reliability and value. Accident records may include vital details such as accident severity, location of damage on the vehicle, airbag deployment and related total loss claim details.
Title Brands: A full vehicle history report may identify if the vehicle holds a branded title. A branded title is commonly issued when the insurance company deems the vehicle a total loss. A chunk of these vehicles will eventually be repaired and be offered for sale. The issue with this vehicle lies with the fact that the quality of the vehicle will greatly lie with the quality of the repair which can be uncertain. For this exact reason branded titled vehicles are considered undesirable on the used car market and sell for as much as 40% less than their regular retail value. Amongst the most common title brands are salvage, rebuilt, junk, lemon, theft recovery, flood and TMU (Total Mileage Unknown).
Theft Check: A VIN check report may also identify potential indicators that the vehicle has ever been reported stolen.
Title Liens: A title lien is an indicator of a third-party ownership record that must be discharged prior to the sale. Most vehicle title liens are generated though lender financing or when the owner incurred an unpaid debt at a service or storage facility. Buying a vehicle with an undischarged lien can result in financial loss and registration hard aches.
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: This transactional data may include a slew of information 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 mileage discrepancies which are a tall tale indicator of odometer rollback which is categorized as fraud.
Vehicle Specs & Options: Vehicle specs and options may contain everything from the vehicle engine size 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 Dakota is an invaluable tool in the used car buying process it may not give you an accurate representation of the vehicle's current condition. By having the vehicle inspected by a trusted professional auto mechanic you will be able to access the vehicle's current condition and even help budget for upcoming repairs. A professional in person vehicle inspection may uncover issues never reported to any government agency, insurance companies or private 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(s) and more...

By checking the vehicle's history and having it inspected prior to purchase you will have all the information you need to make a wise purchase decision as well as give you ammunition during price negotiations. By understanding the vehicle's condition and value you will be better able to make an informed car buying decision.