Buying a car on OfferUp: check it before you pay
Ask the seller for the VIN before you drive out. Type it above for the free details and recalls, then check the title history for salvage, flood, junk or a rolled-back odometer.
Step 1: free VIN check
VIN
Before you meet
- Ask for the VIN in the chat. A seller who won't share it is a red flag.
- Check that the year, make and model from the VIN match the listing.
- Look up the model's recalls for free on this page.
- Check the title history for salvage, flood, junk, rebuilt and odometer records.
- Ask if the title is in the seller's own name and in hand, not "coming soon".
At the car
- Match the VIN on the dash, the driver's door sticker and the title.
- Check that the name on the title matches the seller's ID.
- Look for flood signs: a musty smell, damp carpet, rust under the seats, a water line.
- Compare the odometer with the miles on the title and any service stickers.
- Have a mechanic look at it before you pay.
Red flags
- The price is far below similar cars nearby.
- The seller is "selling for a relative" and the title is in another name.
- The seller wants a deposit before you see the car, or a gift card or wire.
- The title is new, from another state, or says "duplicate".
- The VIN plate looks loose, scratched or covered.
When you pay
- Meet in daylight at a public place, many police stations offer a safe spot.
- Sign the title and a bill of sale with the date, price, VIN and both names.
- Take a photo of the signed title and the seller's ID.
- Check your state DMV's rules for the transfer and the deadline to register.
How our title check works
Enter the VIN
Type the 17 characters from the windshield, the door sticker or the title.
Get the free basics
Year, make, model, engine, where it was built, and safety recalls for that model.
Text us for the full title check
We text you a payment link. Your report comes back in the same chat.
It comes from NMVTIS, the national title database that states, insurers and salvage yards report to. We get it through an approved provider.
Sources
Prices and features from each company's own site and public sources, checked Nov 2, 2026. We have not bought their reports. Check their site before you buy.
Not affiliated with Carfax, AutoCheck, Experian or any other company named here.
More comparisons
Questions
How do I check a car on OfferUp before I buy it?
Ask the seller for the VIN, type it on this page for the free details and recalls, then get a title check for salvage, flood and odometer records. Ours is $9.99 by text or WhatsApp.
What if the seller won't give me the VIN?
Walk away or ask why. The VIN is on the windshield and anyone can read it. Honest sellers share it.
Can a car have a clean title and still be a flood car?
Yes. A car flooded without an insurance claim may never be branded. Check for flood signs and get a mechanic's inspection.
What is title washing?
Moving a branded car to another state to get a clean-looking title. NMVTIS title data from every state helps catch it.
Is the free VIN check enough?
It shows the car's details and the model's recalls. It does not show title brands or odometer readings.
Check a car now
Type the VIN for the free details and recalls, then text us for the title check.
Check a VINNMVTIS does not have every car, and some states report late. A clean report is not a clean car. Have a mechanic look at it before you pay.