US
CA
Identifying Stolen Cars Using the NICB VINCheck
Car theft remains a significant issue in 2024, with over 900,000 vehicles stolen annually across the United States. Urban areas tend to experience the highest rates, making theft prevention a serious concern for used car buyers. Before purchasing a vehicle, it’s essential to verify whether it has been reported stolen — and to take steps to understand its overall history.
The NICB VINCheck tool is a free public resource that allows you to check if a vehicle has been reported stolen but not yet recovered. It’s a great place to start, but it doesn’t cover the full picture.
To get more detailed information about a vehicle’s background, you can also access a full vehicle history report from VinAudit.
About the NICB VINCheck Service
The NICB VINCheck is a public service offered by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). This non-profit organization works to detect, prevent, and deter insurance fraud and vehicle theft. The VINCheck tool allows users to enter a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to see if it has been reported stolen but not yet recovered.
How to Use the NICB VINCheck Tool
To check a vehicle using NICB’s tool:
- Find the VIN: Located on the dashboard, driver’s door, or registration documents.
- Go to NICB.org: Visit https://www.nicb.org/vincheck.
- Enter the VIN: Input the 17-character code in the VINCheck form.
- Submit the form: View any matching stolen vehicle reports (if the vehicle has been flagged as stolen and not recovered).
Limitations of the NICB VINCheck Tool
While helpful, NICB VINCheck has a limited scope. It only checks theft data submitted by participating insurance companies. It does not include accident history, title status, recalls, odometer issues, or service records. It also does not access all law enforcement databases.
To get a more complete picture, vehicle history reports from services like VinAudit can complement NICB’s tool by including broader data from government agencies, salvage yards, auctions, and more.
Why Get a Full Vehicle History Report?
A vehicle history report (VHR) goes beyond theft checks to provide details on a vehicle’s full background.
- Title and Ownership History: See how many times the car has changed hands and whether it has a branded title.
- Accident and Damage Records: Check for past collisions and insurance claims.
- Odometer Readings: Detect rollback or mileage inconsistencies.
- Recalls & Salvage Events: Identify manufacturer safety recalls or total loss history.
VinAudit is a government-approved NMVTIS data provider, offering comprehensive vehicle history reports built from DMV records, insurance data, and salvage auction sources.
Have questions about checking a vehicle for theft? Visit our Stolen Vehicle Check FAQ page for more information.
Enter a VIN below to get a full vehicle history report and uncover potential red flags before you buy.
The most comprehensive Automotive Data & Analytics
- Automotive Market Trends & Insights
- White Papers & Researches
- Auto Market Analytics Articles
- VIN Decoder & Lookup
