Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about DriveEvidence, vehicle history reports, and how to use our platform to make smarter buying decisions.
General
What is DriveEvidence?
DriveEvidence is an automotive intelligence platform that helps used car buyers make more informed purchasing decisions. We organize available vehicle history data — including title records, accident history, safety recalls, and market values — and present it in a clear, easy-to-understand format. Our AI Buyer Assistant adds plain-language explanations so you don't need to be an expert to understand what a report is telling you.
What is a VIN?
A VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a unique 17-character code assigned to every motor vehicle when it is manufactured. The VIN encodes the vehicle's country of origin, manufacturer, model, engine type, and production sequence. You can find the VIN on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), on the driver's side door jamb sticker, on the vehicle's title, or on insurance documents. Every report on DriveEvidence is tied to a specific VIN.
How does Free VIN Check work?
Free VIN Check lets you enter any 17-character VIN and instantly retrieve basic vehicle information at no cost. This includes decoded vehicle specs (make, model, year, engine, trim), open NHTSA safety recalls, and basic safety information. No account or payment is required. If you want complete history — title records, accident history, ownership details, and market values — that requires a paid DriveEvidence Vehicle Intelligence Report.
Vehicle Reports
What is included in a DriveEvidence Vehicle Intelligence Report?
A DriveEvidence Vehicle Intelligence Report includes: full title history and any title brands (salvage, rebuilt, flood, lemon law buyback); accident and damage history with severity indicators; ownership history including number of owners and usage patterns; odometer verification for rollback detection; theft and recovery records; open and historical safety recalls; market value estimates across condition tiers (trade-in, private party, retail); five-year ownership cost estimates; complete vehicle specs; and the DriveEvidence Score. Paid reports also include a downloadable Verified History Window Sticker™.
What is the DriveEvidence Score?
The DriveEvidence Score is a proprietary 0–100 rating that synthesizes multiple history factors into a single number. Scores of 90–100 indicate excellent history with low risk indicators. Scores of 70–89 indicate good history with minor items worth reviewing. Scores of 50–69 indicate fair history with some concerns that warrant careful attention. Scores below 50 indicate significant risk factors such as branded titles, multiple accidents, or major odometer anomalies. The score is designed to help buyers quickly compare multiple vehicles without having to read every data point in detail.
What is the Verified History Window Sticker™?
The Verified History Window Sticker™ is a professionally formatted PDF document that summarizes the vehicle's history, specifications, market value, and DriveEvidence Score on a single page. It is modeled after the factory window sticker format that new cars display at dealerships, applied to used vehicle history data. You can download it, print it, or share it digitally — useful when discussing a purchase with a seller or showing the vehicle's history to a third party.
What is AI Buyer Assistant?
AI Buyer Assistant is an AI-powered tool that reads a vehicle's available history data and provides plain-language explanations of what the records mean. For example, it can explain what a specific title brand indicates, why a particular accident severity level matters, or what an odometer discrepancy might suggest. AI Buyer Assistant is designed to help buyers who aren't familiar with automotive industry terminology understand their report without needing outside expertise. It does not replace a professional mechanical inspection.
Vehicle History
Can accidents be missing from a vehicle history report?
Yes. Vehicle history reports only contain accidents that were reported to insurance companies, law enforcement, or other reporting entities that contribute data to national databases. Minor fender benders that were settled privately, accidents in regions with low reporting rates, or incidents that predate electronic record systems may not appear. This is an industry-wide limitation that applies to all vehicle history services, not just DriveEvidence. A clean accident record means no reported accidents were found — not that no accidents occurred. A professional pre-purchase inspection can help identify damage that isn't in the data.
Can odometer readings be inaccurate?
Odometer data in vehicle history reports comes from records collected at ownership transfers, inspections, and service events. If a vehicle's odometer was tampered with between recorded events, the rollback may not be reflected in historical records. DriveEvidence flags odometer inconsistencies when recorded mileage decreases or jumps in ways inconsistent with normal use patterns — but this detection depends on the availability and quality of historical mileage records for the specific vehicle.
Can recall information change after I check a VIN?
Yes. The NHTSA issues new safety recalls continuously throughout the year. A recall that did not exist when you checked a VIN may be issued afterward. Additionally, a vehicle that shows an open recall may have had the recall remedy performed after the report was pulled. DriveEvidence retrieves recall data at the time of each lookup. For the most current recall status, you can also check directly at nhtsa.gov using the VIN.
Can title status change after I purchase a vehicle?
Title brands are generally permanent once applied — a vehicle with a salvage title retains that brand even after being rebuilt and retitled. However, title records depend on state reporting. Not all states report all title events to national databases at the same speed. In rare cases, a title brand that exists may not yet appear in data systems at the time of a lookup. Always verify title status with your state's DMV and review the physical title document before completing a purchase.
Buying
Should I still get a professional inspection even if the report looks clean?
Yes, always. A vehicle history report and a professional pre-purchase inspection serve different purposes. A history report tells you what events were reported to data systems. An inspection by a qualified mechanic tells you the current physical condition of the vehicle — things no data system captures, such as worn suspension components, minor fluid leaks, developing mechanical issues, or unreported body repairs. DriveEvidence reports are designed to complement, not replace, a physical inspection.
Can I compare multiple vehicles on DriveEvidence?
Yes. When you create a free DriveEvidence account, every VIN you look up is saved to your personal dashboard. You can view and compare DriveEvidence Scores, accident counts, title status, market values, and other data points for all your saved vehicles in a single grid view. This makes it easy to rank options and focus on the vehicles with the cleanest histories before committing to a full report.
Can I download my vehicle history report?
Yes. Paid reports include the Verified History Window Sticker™, which is a professionally formatted PDF that you can download and save. The PDF includes vehicle specs, history highlights, market value estimates, ownership cost projections, and the DriveEvidence Score. You can also export your dashboard vehicle list as a CSV file for use in spreadsheets.
Accounts
Do I need an account to use DriveEvidence?
No account is required for the Free VIN Check — you can enter a VIN and get basic specs and recall information instantly. To purchase a full DriveEvidence Vehicle Intelligence Report, you can check out as a guest. Creating a free account adds benefits: your VIN lookups are automatically saved to a personal dashboard, you can compare vehicles side-by-side, and your purchased reports are accessible any time.
How does pricing work?
The Free VIN Check is always free — no account, no payment required. Full DriveEvidence Vehicle Intelligence Reports are available for $9.99 per report, or as a 5-report pack for $39.99 (saving $10). Reports are one-time purchases — there are no subscriptions or recurring charges. Once purchased, a report remains accessible in your account. Credits do not expire.
Support
How do I contact DriveEvidence support?
You can reach our support team by email at support@driveevidence.com. You can also use the contact form at driveevidence.com/contact. We aim to respond to all inquiries within one business day.
Still have questions?
Our support team is happy to help. Reach us at support@driveevidence.com or use the contact form.