Why can’t I receive a Vehicle History Reports on my pre-1981 car?
August 23rd, 2007 at 10:45pm By Dennis
Under Car FAQ: Car History: CarFax
CARFAX is unable to provide vehicle history information for vehicles manufactured prior to 1981, because there were no standardized vehicle identification numbers on vehicles prior to 1981. Since the standard VIN is the key to creating Vehicle History Reports, it is nearly impossible to produce accurate and reliable information on a vehicle’s history. You can contact vehicle-specific clubs or groups focused on older vehicles, but there is no method as accurate and reliable as using a VIN to track the history of a vehicle.
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8 Comments for Why can’t I receive a Vehicle History Reports on my pre-1981 car?
1. Brooke | September 21st, 2007 at 10:12 am
I purchased a vehicle manufactured in 1976 from a used car dealer. When I received the title, it was not signed by the previous owner. I did a people search for the owner, but could not find this person or any information about her. I want to check the VIN to try to find out how to get ahold of the owner so that she can sign the title for me, but no sites will check a pre-1981 VIN. Is there a way to do this?
2. Mike | September 25th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
The Vehicle History Report won’t provide that kind of information anyway. The dealer shouldn’t have sold it to you without a valid title. There could be issues with that. Have you talked to them? You could also do some research on ordering a Transfer Title from your state. This is how it’s done in Minnesota.
http://www.mncourts.gov/selfhelp/?page=1012
Good luck.
3. chuck laber | March 10th, 2008 at 9:31 am
I am trying to find a 1969 camaro I sold in Delaware in 1974. I have the serial number. Is this the vin number?
4. Mike Lambert | March 10th, 2008 at 10:29 am
The VIN Number didn’t come about until 1981, so the serial number would be the only way to track it. Due to privacy issues, I don’t know how much luck you are going to have in finding the current owner, but you should try your DMV, or the DMV for Delaware. Good luck. That would be a great car to get back.
5. Ryan | September 22nd, 2008 at 3:01 am
I currently own a 76 tr7 and a 83 stang 5.0 and havnt been able to find a website to look up the vin numbers. Id like to find out where they were produced and check if the motors trans etc. Matching numbers. Anyone know where i can search that info up.. Please and thank you
6. Edgar Brincat | October 11th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
I have a 1976 Chev Van and a 1977 Dodge Van and a 1974 Dodge Van and they all have VIN numbers on the registration but the numbers are only 13 characters long. It seems like with these numbers they should be able to find a history on the vehicles. Is there some reason why they can’t find a history on these vihecles? thank you.
wstj8@aol.com
Edgar
7. admin | October 23rd, 2008 at 9:24 am
Ryan, you should be able to run a VIN check on the 83 Mustang, but there were no organized records on cars before 1981. As for the TR7, you should take a look around for some Triumph forums that may have some people that can get the information you are looking for. Good Luck.
8. Al | February 25th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
It is not true there were no vin’s prior to 1981 – just no organized recording of them.
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