{"id":8,"date":"2025-11-26T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-26T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.folsomautomall.com\/blog\/2025\/november\/26\/how-to-check-the-history-of-a-used-vehicle-before-you-buy.htm?locale=en_US"},"modified":"2026-03-20T11:21:47","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T11:21:47","slug":"how-to-check-the-history-of-a-used-vehicle-before-you-buy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.folsomautomall.com\/blog\/how-to-check-the-history-of-a-used-vehicle-before-you-buy\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Check the History of a Used Vehicle Before You Buy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Folsom Auto Mall - Every Used Car Has a Story - Check Its History To Know What You&#039;re Really Buying\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bb6nFFjoKGY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"entry-content text-content-container\">\n<div style=\"text-align: center\"><em><strong><span style=\"font-size:18px\"><\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"font-size:18px\"><em><strong>Every used car has a story, and the last thing you want is a surprise ending. That\u2019s why at Folsom Auto Mall, we make it easy to understand exactly what you\u2019re getting before you sign anything. Whether you\u2019re shopping for your first car, upgrading the family SUV, or hunting for a reliable commuter for the drive down Highway 50, knowing a vehicle\u2019s history is one of the smartest steps you can take.<\/strong><\/em><p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:14px\"><u><strong>Step 1: Locate the VIN<\/strong><\/u><br>\nBefore you can dig into a car\u2019s past, you\u2019ll need its VIN\u2014short for Vehicle Identification Number. Luckily, it\u2019s not a scavenger hunt. You can usually spot it on the dashboard near the windshield, on the driver\u2019s side door frame, or on paperwork like insurance cards or registration slips. If you\u2019re walking the lot at Folsom Auto Mall, our team can point it out for you in seconds.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><u><strong>Step 2: Run a Vehicle History Report<\/strong><\/u><br>\nOnce you have the VIN, the real story begins. At Folsom Auto Mall, we take the guesswork out of this step by providing a free Carfax or AutoCheck history report for every used and Certified Pre-Owned vehicle\u2014no need to pay extra or track one down yourself. These reports lay out the details you actually care about: past accidents, title status, number of previous owners, and whether the odometer readings line up. Think of it like checking the background of a house before you buy it. You want to know what\u2019s happened over the years so you can feel confident about what you\u2019re driving home.<\/p>\n<p><u><strong>Step 3: Look for Red Flags<\/strong><\/u><br>\nWhile most used cars have pretty straightforward histories, there are a few things worth watching for. Salvage or rebuilt title: This usually means an insurance company once declared the vehicle a total loss. Not always a deal breaker, but definitely something to understand before moving forward. Major accident history: A fender bender isn\u2019t typically a big deal, but multiple big collisions might be a sign to slow down and ask more questions. Odometer inconsistencies: Mileage should go up, not jump around. Any odd readings may indicate tampering or reporting errors. Our team is happy to walk through the report with you if anything looks confusing\u2014no pressure, just real answers.<\/p>\n<p><u><strong>Step 4: Confirm With an Inspection<\/strong><\/u><br>\nA history report is one piece of the puzzle. An inspection is the other. At Folsom Auto Mall, every used car goes through a multipoint inspection by our service technicians, so you\u2019re not left wondering what\u2019s going on under the hood. If you prefer, you can also bring your own mechanic for a second look. Many shoppers do, and we\u2019re happy to help coordinate it.<\/p>\n<p><u><strong>FAQ<\/strong><\/u><br>\nDo all cars at Folsom Auto Mall include a history report?<br>\nYes. Every used and CPO vehicle on our lot comes with a free Carfax or AutoCheck report.<\/p>\n<p>What does a salvage title mean?<br>\nIt means the car was once declared a total loss by insurance, usually after major damage. It doesn\u2019t automatically make the car \u201cbad,\u201d but it\u2019s something to consider carefully.<\/p>\n<p><u><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/u><br>\nBuying used doesn\u2019t have to feel risky. Between free history reports, thorough inspections, and a huge lineup of vehicles across our dealerships, Folsom Auto Mall gives you peace of mind from the minute you start browsing to the moment you drive off. When you know the history, you can feel good about the future.<br>\n&nbsp;<\/p><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Every used car has a story, and the last thing you want is a surprise ending. That\u2019s why at Folsom Auto Mall, we make it easy to understand exactly what you\u2019re getting before you sign anything. Whether you\u2019re shopping for your first car, upgrading the family SUV, or hunting for a reliable commuter for the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3,12,2],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v16.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/tt-blogs.dealerfire.com\/folsomautomall\/how-to-check-the-history-of-a-used-vehicle-before-you-buy\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Check the History of a Used Vehicle Before You Buy - Folsom Auto Mall\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Every used car has a story, and the last thing you want is a surprise ending. 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