VinDocs vs Autotrader

Before purchasing a car VIN check has become a routine. It is important to choose a report provider wisely. This blog allows gaining a greater understanding.

One of the most important steps before purchasing a used car is checking what information is available about the car itself. Decades ago information was much more difficult to access and check. This has become a viable option nowadays when information is more accessible. When comparing VinDocs with Autotrader there can be seen several differences in the approach of the service. Even though VinDocs is younger compared to Autotrader, it already has an upper hand in the quality of the vehicle report. Reports will be compared in the quality, quantity and structure of the information provided.

Pre-check information:

Purchasing a report from Autotrader is similar to playing in a lottery: you might get a wrong report, without a chance to resolve it. When searching for a vehicle in Autotraders’s vehicle check service there is no pre-check information available. While it is much different in VinDocs. You receive a rather comprehensive pre-check information for free. It contains the make of the car and the model. This information can be used to verify, whether the listing about the car included the correct VIN or not. Providing pre-check information allows you to avoid typos, as you have a second chance to correct your mistake, which could lead to wasting your time and money, as everyone knows that it might be difficult to contact technical support after purchasing a report for a wrong VIN.

Sample report:

Sample report is a huge help for a customer to decide which report provider to choose. It helps in understanding what can be expected in the report, how it will be displayed. VinDocs sample report allows you to pick specific details, which interest you. The system provided by Autotrader does not allow you to do so. You might feel very disappointed upon purchasing a report without a preview from Autotrader.

Manufacturer recalls:

Information about manufacturer recalls make VinDocs report much superior compared to Autotrader. You might ask, what is manufacturer recall, why would I need this information? In simple words, manufacturer recalls occur when manufacturers realise their mess ups when producing a car. This issue might have a huge impact on the safety of the car passengers or ecology. Volkswagen Dieselgate is one of the most known and widely spread recalls. It happened due to pollution being larger than norms and laws allowed. Knowing about recalls can also save money, as usually the manufacturers take care of it. Saving time and money for the owner.

Ratings:

VinDocs include two types of ratings: safety and consumer. It is one of the most innovative solutions by VinDocs. Even though the Autotrader car report system is older, it does not include such innovative features. There are five separate categories in the safety rating. Each of these categories are rated from 1 to 5. 1 is considered as the worst possible rating, while 5 being the best possible rating. VinDocs considers four separate risk factors: driver side, passenger side, front, rollover, and sidepole. Rollover factor also includes the possibility of rollover, which is very important for SUVs. The last category considers the overall safety of the car, which is found by means from all criteria.

Market data:

Knowing about the current market trends is very important both for sellers and buyers. VinDocs analyse available listed cars and then provide an average price of the exact car. Autotrader doesn’t provide a sample report. So this information can not be confirmed but most likely it is not displayed. You might ask, how can I use this data? Firstly, as a buyer you can safely purchase a car without overpaying. It can be also used as a bargaining chip against a seller, who sells at a higher than average price. This information can be helpful for a seller when listing a car. It is rather complicated to predict an appropriate price for the car. VinDocs report allows for sellers to make an informed decision when selling their car.

Before purchasing checklist:

This is the last step, which is a must before fully committing to purchasing a car. This list is very helpful for less experienced people, who purchase cars. Checklist includes information about the car VIN and its most common locations. It is crucial to check at least a few of them, so that you don’t get scammed with the wrong car. As it sometimes happens when a similar car is being sold but with different equipment. Also, it reminds to check for water damage, which is one of the worst enemies of a car. It might cause issues with electronics, which makes a car impossible to drive due to safety. It might even lead to fatal accidents if the airbags system fails due to water damage. Lastly, the report provides general information about the final inspection. It includes steps such as checking tyres, brakes, leaks and much more.

In the end, it is for you to decide which car history report provider suits you best. This blog displays the greatest strengths of VinDocs car report when compared to Autotrader.