bottom-left hand side of the windshield lower-left corner of the dashboard in front of the steering wheel where the hood latch mounts to the top of the hood inside the driver-side doorjamb in the rear wheel well directly above the tire in the front of the car frame, near the container that holds windshield washer fluid the front of the engine block underneath the spare tire
Also run your fingers over the VIN label. It should be smooth to the touch. [4] X Research source If it is scratchy, then it may have been tampered with. The VIN label should not be obscured with a screw or plug. If so, the owner might be trying to hide the VIN.
You can also call your local police. Share as many details about the seller as you can: name, address, and appearance.
It costs money to run a title search, so contact the DMV ahead of time to check the price and acceptable methods of payment. Make sure the seller’s information matches the information on the title. [11] X Research source If there’s a discrepancy, then the car was probably stolen.
Of course, the car’s owner might fudge service records to hide the fact that the car has been stolen. Accordingly, you might want to order your own copy of the service records through Carfax or AutoCheck for under $100. You’ll need the VIN. [13] X Research source When you get the reports, compare the description of the car in the service reports with the car you want to buy.
Check a dealer’s reputation at the Better Business Bureau website.
car’s make, model, and year VIN seller’s name and address your name and address amount of the sale seller’s signature and date
