Guides
Plain-English answers to the questions used-vehicle buyers ask most.
How to read a VIN (the 17 characters explained)What each part of a Vehicle Identification Number means, and where to find your VIN.
Is a salvage title bad? What it means before you buyWhat a salvage or rebuilt title means, the real risks, and when a salvage car can still be worth it.
Flood car warning signs: how to spot water damageTelltale signs a used car was flooded — and how to check the title history.
VIN vs license plate: what each one can (and can't) tell youThe difference between a VIN and a license plate lookup, and why neither reveals the owner.
How to check a used boat before you buyUsing the HIN and U.S. Coast Guard records to research a used boat or yacht.