Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about VIN checks and vehicle history in Canada
Is the VIN check really free?+
Yes — VIN decoding, NHTSA recall lookup, complaint database, and safety ratings are 100% free with no account required. We source this data from public NHTSA APIs and present it cleanly. The AI-powered Smart Buyer Report (with risk scoring, maintenance forecasts, and Canadian-specific insights) is a separate $14.99 CAD purchase per vehicle — no subscription required.
Why use CarHistoryReport.ca?+
Three reasons. (1) Free tier — unlimited VIN decoding, recall checks, owner complaints, and safety ratings with no signup. (2) Honest Canadian pricing — Smart Buyer Reports are $14.99 CAD per vehicle, one-time payment, no subscriptions or hidden fees. (3) AI-powered insights — every paid report includes a plain-English buyer analysis with model-specific known issues, maintenance forecast, and a pre-purchase inspection checklist tailored to Canadian conditions like winter salt exposure and cold-weather starts.
Where does your data come from?+
For the free tier, we pull from public government sources: the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for recalls, complaints, safety ratings, and investigations, Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database for Canadian-specific defects, and the ISO 3779 VIN standard for structural decoding. The paid Smart Buyer Report adds AI-generated model insights, maintenance guidance, and Canadian market value estimates based on aggregated listing data.
How much does a Smart Buyer Report cost?+
A Smart Buyer Report is $14.99 CAD per vehicle — a one-time payment with no subscription. You get 90-day access to the report from your purchase confirmation email. We also offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee — if the report doesn't meet your needs, contact us within 30 days и we'll work to resolve, typically including a full refund.
What is a VIN?+
A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique 17-character code assigned to every motor vehicle. You can find it on the dashboard near the windshield, on the driver-side door jamb, on registration documents, and on insurance papers. It contains coded information about the vehicle's manufacturer, model, year, and serial number.
Are NHTSA recalls relevant for Canadian vehicles?+
Yes. The North American auto market is deeply integrated — the vast majority of vehicles sold in Canada are also sold in the US, and most safety recalls cross the border. NHTSA maintains the most comprehensive public recall database in North America. For vehicles where Canada-specific variants exist (different fuel grades, climate adaptations), we recommend cross-referencing with Transport Canada's public Vehicle Recalls Database at tc.canada.ca.
Can I trust the AI Risk Score?+
The AI Risk Score is a useful guide, but it's based only on the data we can see. It analyzes recalls, complaints, safety ratings, and (in paid reports) model-level reliability patterns and common issues by mileage. We always recommend a professional pre-purchase inspection before buying any used vehicle, regardless of what the report shows. The Smart Buyer Report includes a tailored inspection checklist for your specific make, model, and year to give to your mechanic.
How do I check a Canadian vehicle?+
Just enter the 17-character VIN on the homepage. Our system decodes the VIN using NHTSA's database and shows you free safety data. The VIN itself works the same in Canada and the US — both countries use the ISO 3779 standard.
Do you sell my data?+
No. We don't sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for marketing. See our Privacy Policy for full details. We follow Canada's PIPEDA privacy laws.
Do you share customer search data with dealerships?+
No. We do not share which vehicles users research with any dealership, manufacturer, or third party. We are designing a privacy-first dealer program where dealers pay us to enrich their own inventory listings (e.g., embedded Smart Buyer Reports on their listing pages), not for surveillance of consumer research. The original concept of alerting dealers when consumers check specific VINs was abandoned because it would violate user trust and Canadian privacy law (PIPEDA). See our For Dealers page for the current direction.
Can I get a refund on a paid report?+
Yes — we offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. If your Smart Buyer Report doesn't meet your needs, email support@carhistoryreport.ca within 30 days of purchase with your order details. Our team will work with you to resolve the issue, typically including a full refund if the report failed to deliver useful insights. Refunds are processed via Stripe and typically take 5-10 business days to appear on your statement. The guarantee covers genuine quality concerns, not change-of-mind purchases.
What if my VIN doesn't decode?+
Check that you entered all 17 characters correctly. VINs use only certain letters (no I, O, or Q to avoid confusion with 1 and 0). If the decode still fails, the VIN may be from a vehicle outside North America or before 1981 when VINs became standardized.