If you have the vehicle identification number (VIN) of a used car, there are methods to find out the actual price it previously sold for:

Method 1 – Ask the Dealership

If you can, contact the dealership that sells the same make and model of the vehicle and ask if they will look up what similar vehicles have recently sold for on their lot. Provide them the full VIN if possible, so they can check their internal inventory system for the last sale price and date of identical or very similar vehicles.

However, dealerships are under no obligation to share this data with you. If you’re hitting a dead end, don’t get upset! There are some resources and tools for you to find the information you need.

Method 2 – Purchase a Vehicle History Report

When it comes to researching a vehicle, you may want to obtain the information from the state DMV. However, most of them won’t include information about the amount a specific vehicle recently sold for. Thankfully, not all hope is lost. Both BeenVerified.com and Bumper.com allow you to perform VIN lookups to receive a detailed vehicle history report that gives you access to the following information when available:

• Accidents & Salvage Records
  
  Accident records from trusted sources and information from salvage auction listings.
• Vehicle Specifications
  
  150+ data points, including photos, color, accessories, safety features, and more.
• Market Value
  
  Estimated market values based on historical vehicle sales.
• Ownership Cost
  
  A five-year overview of expenses associated with owning a vehicle.
• Theft Records
  
  See if a vehicle is listed as previously stolen and recovered.
• Sale Listings
  
  Including price, mileage, photos and more.
• Recalls & Warranties
  
  Check if a vehicle is included in any recalls.

Both BeenVerified and Bumper are paid services and you’ll need to purchase a subscription in order to unlock the full reports. 

Below is how you can use BeenVerified and Bumper to receive a vehicle history report and see how much the buyer paid for it.

BeenVerified

With 10+ years of data expertise and more than 100 million searches performed, BeenVerified can be your go-to choice for public data access. It compiles records from state-level agencies and trusted car industry partners, making it a good place to get started when you need to perform VIN lookups. You can also conduct license plate searches, depending on what information you have in hand.

To research a vehicle, all you have to do is:

1. Visit BeenVerified’s Vehicle Search page. 

2. Enter the VIN number into the search bar and click SEARCH.

3. Wait for BeenVerified to scan the data from a variety of sources and find information associated with the vehicle you’re searching for.

When available, a detailed report will be generated. To open it, you’ll need to select a price plan based on your own needs.

Once you unlock the report, you should be able to see a section called Sale Listings. From there, you’ll see the vehicle’s listing history, including the date, price, mileage, and other related information.

To check how much a buyer paid for the vehicle, go to the Ownership History section. 

Should you require any assistance, feel free to contact their support team:

Tel: 1-844-823-2869
Email: support@beenverified.com

Bumper

As an approved NMVTIS data provider, Bumper is the other trusted service you can try. It searches through millions of data points, making it more possible that you can obtain the most accurate information for the vehicle you’re searching for.

And running searches on Bumper.com is pretty straightforward:

1. Go to Bumper.com.

2. Input the VIN number into the search bar and click SEARCH.

3. Patiently wait for Bumper to compile all the available information about the vehicle you’re searching for. When a report is ready, follow the on-screen instructions to complete your payment. Till then, open your report and navigate to the section that displays the useful information for you.

If you need any help, definitely reach out to Bumper’s support team:

Tel: +1-332-225-9745
Email: support@bumper.com

Exploring additional benefits of a VIN lookup

A vehicle history report that is obtained by performing a VIN lookup can provide you with insights into certain conditions in the vehicle’s history:

In addition to discovering the sale price of a vehicle, performing a VIN lookup offers a treasure trove of valuable information that can significantly aid you in making informed decisions when purchasing a used car. Beyond just the transaction history, a comprehensive vehicle history report provides insights into various aspects, enhancing your understanding of the vehicle’s overall condition. Here are the key benefits:

1. Vehicle Specifications:

• Access multiple data points, including detailed specifications such as color, accessories, safety features, and more.
• Obtain a comprehensive overview of the vehicle’s configuration, empowering you with knowledge about its features.

2. Accidents & Salvage Records:

• Gain access to accident records from trusted sources and information from salvage auction listings.
• Understand the vehicle’s history in terms of accidents and salvage, crucial for assessing its structural integrity.

3. Market Value Insights:

• Receive estimated market values based on historical vehicle sales, helping you gauge the fair market price for the specific make and model.

4. Ownership Cost Overview:

• Obtain a five-year overview of expenses associated with owning the vehicle, including maintenance and repair costs.
• Evaluate the long-term financial implications of owning the vehicle.

5. Theft Records Check:

• Verify if the vehicle has been listed as previously stolen and recovered, providing essential information about its security history.

6. Recall & Warranty Information:

• Check if the vehicle is included in any recalls, ensuring awareness of potential safety issues.
• Review warranty information, offering insights into the manufacturer’s coverage and potential future expenses.

*featured image by Freepik