How to Check a Motorcycle VIN Before Purchasing
Purchasing a motorcycle is exciting. However, you need to make sure you are getting a great deal. You don’t want to buy a motorcycle only to realize that it requires a lot of work.
Besides specifications, VIN can be used to get information about a motorcycle. It can be used to generate a report that indicates if the motorcycle has been stolen, recalled, salvaged, or junked. Also, you will know if it has a clear title or line.
To protect yourself, there are online VIN decoders that can generate motorcycle history reports. They are powerful tools that can help you make the right decision.
VinPit – The recommended VIN decoder
With VinPit, you get a comprehensive motorcycle history report. To check a motorcycle VIN, do it right here on VinPit. The report will give you important details you need before purchasing a motorcycle.
How to check a motorcycle VIN on VinPit
The process of checking a motorcycle VIN is straightforward with VinPit. Here are the simple steps involved.
Step 1: Find the VIN of the motorcycle. Unlike cars, motorcycles do not have a uniform VIN placement. Depending on the brand, VIN can be found stamped on the steering head tube and frame.
Step 2: Now visit the official VinPit website and provide the VIN in the search bar then hit the search button. Give the platform a few seconds as it collects all the news about the motorcycle.
Step 3: When the platform is done gathering the details, it will generate a comprehensive report. The report will provide details about the motorcycle you are considering purchasing.
What is a Motorcycle VIN?
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique and useful identifier. However, unlike fingerprints, it is easy to clone or duplicate VINs. Often, fraudsters and thieves clone VINs to cover their tracks by hiding the identity of a motorcycle.
If two motorcycles share the same VIN, it is likely that one of them is salvaged or stolen. As forgery techniques advance, it is becoming a lot more difficult to detect.
Fortunately, there are free VIN decoder platforms that make it easy to identify scams. This way, you can look for better choices. Regardless of whether you are looking for a getaway bike or an expensive throwaway one, consider data from VIN reports.
Why do a motorcycle VIN check?
When you do a VIN search, you get to uncover various details about the motorcycle. For instance, you get ownership history with details about previous owners, registration details, duration of ownership, state and city of registration.
Also, you get to know the odometer reading. Most shady motorcycle sellers tend to tamper with the odometer by decreasing the odometer reading to increase the motorcycle’s selling price.
What’s more, you get to know the previous functions including the title as a leased motorcycle or taxi. As well, the motorcycle VIN report provides the motorcycle specifications.
These include market value, warranty, recalls, maintenance, repairs, title brands, safety ratings, ownership cost, and fuel efficiency.
What is the difference between a vehicle history report and a VIN check
Usually, an online vehicle history report is a paid service while online VIN check services are free. A VIN check offers basic details such as the year, make, model, engine, drivetrain, and where the motorcycle was assembled.
Although a VIN check provides basic details, it is a great tool for verifying if the motorcycle is what the seller claims. It helps you avoid fraud or deception.
On the other hand, a vehicle history report provides much more details on top of what a VIN check offers. These details include title status, service records, major claims and accidents, odometer discrepancies, recalls, and import records, and ownership changes.
So, a vehicle history report provides comprehensive details compared to a VIN check. However, it comes at a cost depending on where you buy your motorcycle.
Most dealerships as well as online retailers include a vehicle history report for transparency purposes. However, private sellers may not provide a motorcycle history report because of the extra cost involved.
So, if you are considering buying a motorcycle from a private seller, you may have to pay for the report.
Benefits of doing a VIN check
There are various benefits of doing a VIN check.
1. Authenticity
A VIN check assures you that the motorcycle you want to buy is authentic. It lets you check everything about the motorcycle to know if it is fair or not. When everything checks out, you can go ahead and make your offer.
2. Legality of the motorcycle
When purchasing from a dealer, you may not have to worry if the motorcycle is legally available for sale. However, when purchasing from a private seller, you may have to make sure the motorcycle has a free and clear title.
To establish this, you need to get a VIN report that informs you if the vehicle was reported as stolen.
Conclusion
With the right platform, you can easily do a VIN check of any motorcycle online. The process is straightforward thanks to web-based VIN decoders that are readily accessible from a browser.
