Frequently Asked Questions

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or Vehicle Chassis Number can be found in a couple of places including on the car’s registration label, on the build plaque in the engine bay or on the passenger side windshield and door jamb. It also appears on registration and insurance documents. Make sure you enter the VIN accurately, here are tips to make sure you have the right number:

1. copy and paste the VIN if it comes from a web site
2. type the characters in groups of four (no spaces)
3. the letters “I”, “O” and “Q” never appear in a VIN
4. the VIN must be exactly 17 characters in length

If the car you requested an OtoFacts Report for has been reported as stolen, we suggest contacting the law enforcement.

These ratings referring to the vehicle’s Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) crash test performance. You can find out more about these ratings and how they’re worked out visit www.ancap.com.au

The No Claim Discount (NCD) is a reward scheme received by motor policy holders for not making a claim during the preceding 12 months.

Consumers are eligible for NCD ranging from 0% to 55% of the premium payable depending on the type of vehicle, coverage and number of years claim not intimated. For a private car, the scale of NCD ranges from 0% to 55% as provided in the policy/certificate whereas for motorcycles and commercial vehicles, it ranges from 0% to 25%.

OTOFACTS helps US, UK & Japanese car importers & shoppers make better purchase decisions when buying used or reconditioned vehicles. The OTOFACTS Vehicle History Report provides detailed information about a vehicle’s past and can help uncover hidden negative history.

The OTOFACTS Report can provide you with:

• Vehicle accident check: Buying a second hand car which has been in an accident can lead to costly problems down the road. Our vehicle accident check informs potential buyers of any serious problems in the car’s history, including total loss.
• Vehicle mileage check: One of the most common forms of automotive fraud in the second hand car market relates to odometer manipulation. Our vehicle mileage check helps ensure buyers that no odometer rollbacks have occurred.
• Car ownership: It may seem difficult to know how a car was used in the past. The OTOFACTS Vehicle History Report includes records on car ownership, including whether the car was ever used as a rental car or taxi.
• Car recalls: Used import cars generally don’t carry the manufacturer guarantee protecting against recalls. This means any costs related to the repair of open car recalls fall onto the new owner. In some cases, car recalls set out to fix potentially dangerous manufacturing defects. The OTOFACTS Car History Report identifies any open recalls on vehicles.
• Salvage Title: Used vehicles may be given a salvage title when they are no longer roadworthy due to damage from an accident, flood or fire, or if they have been stolen. The OTOFACTS Vehicle History Report helps buyers stay away from salvage cars and avoid potential expenses in the future.
• Stolen car: Even if it seems unlikely, many stolen cars make their way over to the world. To avoid possible legal problems, it’s advisable to not buy a stolen car.
• Airbag deployment: Often times, serious accidents result in airbag deployment. The OTOFACTS Vehicle History Report will also notify shoppers of Japanese cars whether or not the vehicle has experienced such a situation.
• Service car records: Buying used cars which have been well maintained can be a great advantage. Service car records are included in the OTOFACTS Vehicle History Report to give shoppers confidence when buying second hand cars.
• Car registration check: Our car registration check gives potential buyers useful information about the vehicles history, including when and where it has been over its lifetime.
• Auction records: The Japanese reports will provide you with the auction record and official Japanese registration records too.

OTOFACTS Vehicle History Reports contain information that might affect your decision about whether or not to buy a Japanese, UK or US used vehicle or how much you might want to pay. Avoid being a victim of fraud by unknowingly purchasing a car that has been stolen, scrapped or involved in a severe accident and then refurbished and re-sold without any disclosure. Use this report as one important tool, along with a vehicle inspection, to make a better decision about your next used car.

Used car buyers and sellers, dealerships, as well as listings sites can benefit OTOFACTS’s independent car information. With more transparency and accountability in the used car market, there will be less chance for fraudulent activity. Importers & Buyers of used cars can shop with confidence knowing the vehicle doesn’t have any hidden negative history, and sellers of used Japanese, UK and US cars can sell faster by instilling trust in the buyer.

Used car dealers using OTOFACTS Vehicle History Reports can ensure no vehicles with negative history come through their business, thus saving possible problems and money down the road.

The vehicle identification number (VIN) is composed of 17 characters (digits and capital letters) that act as a unique identifier for the vehicle. A VIN displays the car’s unique features, specifications and manufacturer.

The VIN can be found in a couple of places including on the car’s registration label (1), on the compliance plate in the engine bay (2) or on the passenger side windshield (3), or on one of the door posts (where the door latches when it is closed) (4).

Look for the VIN in these other locations:

• Insurance card/Insurance policy
• Vehicle title and registration certificate

For Japanese Cars:

Chassis number is the unique identifier for every car built in Japan. Japanese carmakers do not use a Vehicle Identification Number as is common in the United States and elsewhere. Instead, Japan uses a Chassis (Frame) Number — nine to twelve alphanumeric characters identifying model and serial number.

1. Obtain the Vehicle Chassis number (Vin) (Frame) of the vehicle you’re interested in.
2. Enter the chassis(Vin) number and proceed with the ordering process.
3. Once Payments goes through, the report will be in your account for 30 days

For Japanese cars:

1. Obtain the Vehicle Chassis number (Vin) (Frame) of the vehicle you’re interested in.
2. Enter the chassis(Vin) number and proceed with the ordering process.
3. As soon as the order arrived our system runs the Chassis(Vin) no’s through auto matching system using machine learning technology. if the chassis no matches with the database we’ll immediately prepare the history report and deliver within 2 hours.
4. For Japanese cars, If your Chassis(Vin) number, doesn’t match with the auto matching system, we have to perform a manual search using human operators and we will ask for the buyers consent before start this procedure by email.

It will be sent to your profile page. You can also view the report within up to 30 days from purchase.

When you order a vehicle report, OTOFACTS systems immediately access several databases to compile the report. This usually takes less than 30 seconds, however Japan reports can a day. If you find it is taking too long to generate your report, you will be notified by emailed to the email address you provided as soon as it is ready. Your report also remains viewable online through the Customer Login section of the website for a period of 30 days after purchase.

We do rely on external data for some parts of your Report. These can sometimes be delayed but this is unfortunately out of our control. If you haven’t received your report or are having trouble you contact us here or on Facebook

Probably not. The purpose of a OTOFACTS Vehicle History Report is to assist buyers in making informed decisions when purchasing a used car and to allow sellers to demonstrate transparency and build confidence in the buying process. Since we cannot guarantee or certify the accuracy of data listed on the report, it may have very limited value in a court of law

No, it is not possible. To run a report you need to provide us the correct chassis / VIN number.

You can buy reports for any US, UK, Japanese and Malaysian made vehicles.

Yes, OTOFACTS has sample report for you to review! Take a look at sample report on our Sample Reports page, where you can check out the helpful information.

Reports from Japan, US, and the UK would cover most of these:

• Major Accidents
• Open Recalls
• Total Loss
• Airbag Deployment
• Service History
• Estimated Miles Driven Per Year
• Multiple Owners
• Registration History
• Rebuilt
• Mileage Rollover
• Hail Damage
• Last Reported Mileage
• Vehicle Service
• Mileage Rollback
• Warranty Information
• Not Actual Mileage
• Branded a Lemon
• Length of Ownership
• Structural Damage
• State Owned
• Flood Damage
• Salvage Titles
• Junked
• Commercial or Personal Use

OTOFACTS’s database is comprised of many different data sources which combine to present a comprehensive vehicle history. However, we are reliant on the availability of this data from third party supplier data sources and there will be occasions where vehicle data is not available from those sources. E.g. Auction Sold Prices are not available for some vehicles.

You can contact us here or on Facebook

Information provided in a OTOFACTS Vehicle History Report comes from various data sources from different countries. These include: car manufacturers, used car auctions, salvage car auctions, insurance companies, auto dealers, inspection sites and several state agencies.

“No Records Found” indicates that OTOFACTS found no information in that category at that particular point in time. This could mean that we have not yet received that data or it could be an indication of a problem-free condition. Vehicles that most often show up as “No Records Found” are newer, so we may not yet have received any information for that vehicle.

No. OTOFACTS is not a certified provider of legal advice nor does it offer legal assistance.

We only accept online payments, using Credit and Debit Cards via Stripe. Malaysian customers can also pay using FPX (Online Banking).

You can click on the “My Reports” button on the top right of the page to view your reports. Please note that reports and invoices are only available for a period of 30 days from the date of purchase. After this period the report will expire and will be removed from the server.

All transaction made are final and no refund, exchange or cancellation will be considered. You must agree to these conditions when a purchase is made. Please ensure all details are correct at the time of purchase so no problems arise.

Simply send contact us here or on Facebook. We will get back to you as soon as possible

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