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). See the image below:
A REVS search is a term that is often interchanged with a REVS check.
Both essentially mean a check against the Register of Encumbered Vehicles (now renamed Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR)). The objective of doing this is to determine if the vehicle you intend to purchase is carrying any debt and is an important step to mitigate the risk of having the vehicle repossessed after you’ve bought it.
For a purchase as large as a used car there are a series of other considerations that need to be made beyond doing a REVS search or equivalent.
A REVS check uncovers only a fraction of the story behind a vehicle and therefore should not be used in isolation to give you the security you need to make a final decision. Whether you’re considering buying from a dealer or a private seller, it’s just as important to know things such as:
Beyond your own financial security we can also report on the ANCAP Safety, Air Pollution, Greenhouse and overall Green Rating to help you make a decision that’s not only safe for your wallet but also for the environment.
CarHistory reports include a combination of Vcheck, REVS and other information that together give you enough information to be confident and feel the security in making a decision to buy a particular vehicle. All you need to enter is the VIN and you’ll get the insights you need online in seconds.