A vehicle history report (VHR) is a valuable document. It can give you information about the used Camaro you are considering purchasing.
Let's talk about the types of VHRs available. Some state motor vehicle departments make VHRs available to potential car buyers. Private companies supply most VHRs to consumers today. The cost ranges from about $20 to about $60.
A vehicle history report is a good investment because it will tell you if the vehicle's odometer "exceeds mechanical limits," in other words if the vehicle has more miles than it is physically possible to record on the odometer. A VHR also tells you if the vehicle's odometer has ever been rolled back, in other words, if the odometer was tampered with to show less than actual miles.
A VHR can tell you if the vehicle has ever been considered a salvage vehicle. A salvage vehicle is not necessarily bad. It simply means that at one time it was heavily damaged but that someone has taken the time and made the effort to repair it so that it is driveable again. For example, if a vehicle had big-time water damage from a flood, someone may have taken the time to completely gut and rebuild the interior, including new seats, carpeting and instrument panel; repaired all the electrical components on the car; refurbished the engine and transmission; and installed new brakes. Now the vehicle runs and operates as well as it did before the flood damage. But because it is considered a salvage vehicle, you can purchase it a substantial saving. The same with fire of hail damage: some skillful person may have fixed the vehicle so that it is again driveable even though an insurance company may have felt the vehicle was beyond repair.
Some VHR companies give you the option of checking on a number of vehicles when you purchase an "unlimited" report. This means, if you look at some Camaros, you can check into all of their histories. This type of report usually has a time limit, about 60 days, so you can check into an unlimited number of potential vehicles within 60 days for a set price.
Other information listed on VHRs include: if a vehicle is considered scrapped or junked or "scrapped," in which case it cannot be titled; if a vehicle has been considered a "gray market" vehicle, in other words, one that has been imported into the country but does not meet U.S. government environmental and/or safety standards; if a vehicle has ever been reported as being a "lemon," in other words, that it never ran well for whatever reason and was returned to manufacturer or dealer (check with your state; not all states have "lemon" laws); or if a vehicle has been declared to have a clean record, in other words nothing negative has ever been reported about it.
The more expensive VHRs also include a title search, which tells you whether the title is "clear," in other words, if the title has any liens or other legal encumbrances attached to it. If the title is not clear, it will prevent you from titling and taking possession of the Camaro you plan to buy.
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