Where vehicle data comes from
We believe buyers deserve to know how their vehicle information is assembled. Here is a transparent overview of the types of data that may be included in a DriveEvidence Vehicle Intelligence Report.
Vehicle Identification
VIN Decoding
The Vehicle Identification Number encodes manufacturer, model, engine, and production details. We decode this to populate the foundational vehicle profile.
Manufacturer Specifications
Factory-issued specs including engine type, transmission, drivetrain, trim level, and standard equipment.
Factory Information
Original build data including country of manufacture, plant code, and production sequence.
Safety Information
NHTSA Recall Database
Open safety recalls from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. We surface active recall campaigns that may affect the vehicle.
Safety Ratings
Available crash test safety ratings from government-sponsored testing programs.
Safety Concerns
Reported safety-related complaints and investigations associated with the vehicle's make, model, and year.
Vehicle History
Ownership History
Number of reported owners, estimated ownership duration, and whether the vehicle was used commercially or privately.
Title Records
Title transfers recorded by state DMV systems, including state-to-state history and gaps in record continuity.
Title Brands
Branded title records including salvage, rebuilt, flood damage, lemon law buyback, and insurance total loss designations.
Registration History
Available state registration events that help establish where and how the vehicle was used over time.
Damage Records
Accident Indicators
Records of reported accident events, including estimated severity level when available.
Damage Events
Structural, airbag deployment, and major damage events from insurance and reporting databases.
Insurance-Related Records
Insurance claim indicators and total loss designations reported through commercial data aggregators.
Auction Information
Auction Sale History
Recorded auction events including sale date, location, and participating auction house when available.
Last Sale Price
Most recent auction sale price where reported, providing a market reference point.
Auction Images
Photographs taken at auction when made available by data providers — useful for verifying condition at time of sale.
Market Intelligence
Market Value Estimates
Current market value estimates across condition tiers: trade-in, private party, and retail.
Comparable Pricing
Pricing benchmarks based on comparable vehicle transactions to help buyers evaluate asking prices.
Ownership Cost Estimates
Projected five-year ownership cost estimates including fuel, maintenance, insurance, and depreciation.
AI Interpretation
How our AI works
DriveEvidence AI processes available vehicle history data and generates plain-language summaries that explain what the records may indicate. It identifies patterns across accident history, title brands, odometer readings, and ownership duration to produce the DriveEvidence Score.
What it does not do
Our AI does not evaluate mechanical condition, predict future reliability, or verify the accuracy of underlying data sources. It interprets and summarizes available records — it is not a mechanical inspection.
Important limitations
Understanding what vehicle history reports cannot tell you is as important as knowing what they can.
Not every accident, incident, or damage event is reported to data systems. Unreported accidents do not appear in any vehicle history report.
Data availability varies by vehicle age, state of registration, and data provider coverage. Older vehicles and those registered in certain states may have incomplete records.
A clean report does not guarantee a problem-free vehicle. The absence of negative records means those events were not reported — not that they did not happen.
Market value estimates are based on available comparable data and may not reflect the actual transaction price in your specific market.
Title brand information depends on state reporting. Not all states report all title brands, and some title washing across state lines may not be detected.
DriveEvidence presents available information from third-party sources. We do not independently verify every data point.
A professional pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic is always recommended before completing any vehicle purchase.
See what we know about any vehicle
Run a free VIN check to see basic specs and recalls — or get a full Vehicle Intelligence Report for complete history.