The inspection history of a used car can indicate how it’s been maintained and serviced over time, giving buyers insights into its overall condition and any potential problems. And in some states of the US, regular inspections are required by law. Checking for it will help you ensure compliance with these regulations and avoid legal issues. In this post, we’ll discuss how to check for car inspection history by VIN.

Method 1: Request the report from official websites

To check for the car inspection history, you should first locate the VIN of the car and make clear in which state it’s registered. Then you can navigate to the official website of that state and request the inspection history report. For example, if the state is California, you can go to their webpage and request the information.

1. Go to Google, Bing, or any other search engine.
2. Enter the text car inspection history California into the search box and click Search. You may replace “California” with other states. Then on the search results page, select the website with a (.gov) mark.
   
3. On the webpage, enter the VIN, click on the search button, and finish the reCaptcha.
   
4. Then you will get a report containing a list of the car inspection history with inspection types, dates, and results.
   

Method 2: Use a car history report lookup service

There are several online platforms and services that provide vehicle history reports, where you may find the car inspection history. And they typically will give you more detailed information compared to a sole inspection history check. Note that such services may cost some money, but they can offer:

• Both VIN and license plate lookups
• Full vehicle reports including inspection, maintenance & service history; title, accident & theft records; odometer readings; the number of previous owners; sale listings, and more.

To help you decide which one works best for you, we’ve tested several services and selected two that we like and trust. Both of them are approved by NMVTIS.

1. BeenVerified

BeenVerified is a leading vehicle information check service that provides access to multiple data sources like state-level government agencies, insurance providers, and auto industry partners. And it’s powered by Bumper, an NMVTIS-approved vehicle history data provider. It’s one of the best choices to help you get an insight into a car’s past, including its inspection, maintenance, repair & service history, accident records, titles, and more.

1. Go to the BeenVerified vehicle search page.
2. Enter the VIN and click Search.
   
3. Wait for BeenVerified to initiate the search process and generate an easy-to-read report. Once done, you’ll need to purchase a plan to view it. Below is a sample report.
   
4. Navigate to the Maintenance section, where you may find the inspection history and maintenance & service records.
   

2. EpicVIN

EpicVIN is another vehicle history check service that we like, and it is also an NMVTIS data provider. It has got a high of 4.1 stars at Trustpilot.com, the trusted customer review platform, better than many of its competitors. It also has access to multiple data sources including government authorities, repair shops, and insurance companies. You may find much more than car inspection history in its reports.

1. Visit EpicVIN.
2. Enter the VIN and click on the search button.
   
3. Then EpicVIN will start the search process and generate a report.
   
4. Select the All history events tab to view the inspection history. Note that you’ll need to purchase a plan to view the full report (including the Inspection history).
   

Which one do we prefer?
We’ve performed tests on both the products above and discovered no significant difference in the reports they return. But we do notice that BeenVerified seems to offer more detailed vehicle specs.

You may also want to know:

1. How to check what inspections should be done on your car?

The vehicle inspection requirements in the United States could vary a lot in different states. For example, some states request a smog inspection while other states don’t. So if you just recently bought a car, you should do some homework ahead to avoid any legal issues. There are several resources where you can refer to and check what inspections should be done on your car:

• Your state’s DMV or equivalent agency website.
  Visit the official website of your state’s DMV and search for sections related to vehicle inspections, safety inspections, or emissions inspections. These sections should provide you with details on the specific inspections that are mandatory in your state.
• The Owner’s Manual of your car.
  The manual typically includes a maintenance schedule that outlines the manufacturer’s recommendations for inspections, services, and intervals.
• Follow general inspection guidelines.
  There are some general inspections you should consider for your car, like regularly checking and replacing air filters.
• Seek professional advice.
  If you’re unsure about the specific inspections your car needs or if you prefer professional guidance, consider consulting a trusted mechanic or an authorized service center. 

2. What information can you expect to find in a car inspection history report?

In a car inspection history report, you can typically find various details related to the inspections conducted on the vehicle. For example:

• Inspection results
• Inspection dates
• Inspection station details
• Defects or issues
• Mileage records

However, the specific information provided may vary depending on the services you use to get the report. 

Final thoughts

Doing a VIN lookup or obtaining a vehicle history report is an essential step when you decide which used car to buy, as it provides valuable information about the vehicle’s history. However, you should note that relying solely on a VIN lookup may not guarantee a comprehensive or foolproof assessment of the vehicle’s condition.

To avoid fraud or ending up with a flawed car, we recommend you have the vehicle thoroughly inspected by a professional mechanic before purchasing, and only use the VIN lookup tools we mentioned above as a supplementary option.