# Is there a public record of accidents to a car?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-public-record-of-accidents-to-a-car/59204>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [March 23, 2001, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-public-record-of-accidents-to-a-car/59204 "2001-03-23T20:16:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![GirlFace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecd19e/32.png) [@GirlFace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GirlFace)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2001, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-public-record-of-accidents-to-a-car/59204/1 "2001-03-23T20:16:12Z")

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I think I remember hearing about a website or a number to call where you can give them the VIN of a particular car and they will give you the accident history of that vehicle. Has anyone else heard of this? I scoped around on the web a bit, but couldn’t find anything. I tied the Sec’y of State of IL, but they haven’t answered the phone in six hours (I’m so suprised!). The reason I’m interested is that my dad just bought a used car, and he found a couple of questionable things after the fact. I thought I’d look it up for him, but I can’t seem to find anything. Anyone? Anyone? Buehler?

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**Author:** ![tak29813](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cab0a1/32.png) [@tak29813](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tak29813)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2001, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-public-record-of-accidents-to-a-car/59204/2 "2001-03-23T20:53:37Z")

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try [http://www.carfax.com](http://www.carfax.com)