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LICENSE PLATE CHECK
We now give you the option of checking your vehicles history by doing a license plate check by entering the license plate into our database checking tool. The license plate is also known as the number plate and is located at either end of the vehicle on the bumper or just below the bumper.
The license plate is made up of a series of numbers and letters and to perform a license plate check you should enter this into our tool without and spaces or dashes.
An example of this is: FTY675
Some license plates are known as personalised, where people have paid to buy a plate with a word on it rather than a series of random letters and numbers. These plates can still be put through our license plate check tool.
The information that our database holds for a license plate check vs a VIN check is the same so you can be rest assured that no matter what number you enter of these two, that you will receive the same information. So, it’s up to you which one you use, but a lot of people prefer performing a license plate check because it’s easier to find than the VIN number.
Buying a second hand car in Canada can be a daunting process, especially if you don’t have much experience in this type of process. One way to ensure that you are making a wise investment is by getting a vehicle history report by license plate number on the vehicle you are considering purchasing. Here are some of the key benefits of a license plate check when buying a second hand car:
- Verification of Vehicle Ownership
A license plate check can provide you with information about the current registered owner of the vehicle. This can be helpful in verifying that the seller of the vehicle is the legal owner and has the authority to sell it.
This is especially important if you’re looking to buy a vehicle in a private sale as you’re not dealing with a registered car sales business. You can also verify that the vehicle has not been reported stolen, which is essential when making such a significant purchase.
- Accurate Vehicle History
By conducting a license plate check, you can obtain a comprehensive vehicle history report. This report will provide you with information about the car’s previous owners, service and repair history, accident history, previous damage, airbag deployment, recalled parts information and so on.
You can use this information to make an informed decision about whether or not to purchase the vehicle.
- Outstanding Liens and Financial Obligations
If there are any outstanding liens or financial obligations on the vehicle, a license plate check will reveal this information. This can prevent you from purchasing a vehicle with a hidden debt, which can be costly and stressful to deal with because if you buy the vehicle it could be repossessed from you by the loan company if the previous owner fails to pay them back the debt.
You can also check if a car has a lien on the Government of Canada website.
- Peace of Mind
Finally, conducting a license plate check on a second hand car can provide you with peace of mind. By knowing as much information as possible about the vehicle you are purchasing, you can be confident that you are making a wise investment. This can also help you negotiate a fair price for the vehicle based on its condition and history.
Be Aware of License Plate Swaps
People can illegally swap the license plate between different vehicles quite easily, so it pays to check that the make, model, color etc of the vehicle you’re doing the license plate check on, matches the information shown within the vehicle history report.
This practice is on the increase in Canada and the USA; in Houston alone there were 516 license plates stolen in the first three months of this year according to the Houston Police Dept as reported in ABC13.
If the report shows a different vehicle, then you’ll need to locate the VIN number on the vehicle and do a VIN check instead, because the VIN belongs to the chassis of the vehicle and is far less likely to be swapped. To play it safe, we’d recommend doing both a license plate and VIN check at the same time.
Simply click on the button below and this will take you to our license plate tool where you can enter your plate number and get the vehicle history report for the car your looking to buy.
License Plate Check - Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check a vehicle’s history using the license plate?
Yes, a vehicle’s history can be checked using just the license plate alone without the need for the vehicle’s VIN. You can get the same information from using the license plate check as you would with a VIN check.
What history information can I get about a vehicle using the license plate?
You can get information on the vehicle’s previous owners, previous damage, any liens on the vehicle, previous use of the vehicle, its service history, and much more.
Is there any downside to checking a vehicle’s history with the license plate rather than the VIN?
Because a license plate can be swapped between two different vehicles, we do encourage users to check the basic details of the vehicle history report in terms of the brand, model, color, etc of the vehicle to see that the report matches the details of the physical vehicle. If they don’t match then the plates have been swapped and the report isn’t relevant to the vehicle you want to check.
Can I check personalized license plates on Vehicle Check Canada?
Yes, because personalized license plates have been assigned to the vehicle in question, just like any other number plate, you can use the vehicle history report we provide on this website as you would with a normal vehicle check.
Is the cost to check a vehicle’s history via the license plate the same as the cost to do it via the VIN?
Yes, because the vehicle history reports information is the same with both methods of checking, the cost is also the same.
