Salvage & rebuilt title check Canada
A written-off car sold as clean can cost you thousands. A VIN check flags branded-title, salvage and write-off risk signals — plus recalls, theft and mileage history — before you hand over a deposit. One-time CA$12.90.
47+ countries of records
60 seconds to full report
Carlytics helps Canadian buyers screen for salvage, rebuilt and branded-title cars by VIN. Enter a 17-character VIN and the report flags branded-title, salvage and write-off risk signals where records exist, decodes the vehicle, lists worldwide safety recalls, runs a stolen-vehicle check, and surfaces mileage history with rollback detection. It is an early-warning screen — not a complete provincial title registry. Full reports are a one-time CA$12.90.
What this check is — and isn't. Carlytics flags branded-title, salvage and write-off risk signals drawn from the registry, listing and web-derived records available to us, alongside a VIN decode, worldwide recalls, a theft check and mileage history. It is not a complete provincial or national title registry, and we never claim to hold every title record. Use it to flag risk early, then confirm the brand status on the official title document and get an independent inspection before you buy. A full 17-character VIN is required — there is no plate lookup.
What “Branded Title” Really Means
A title brand is a permanent note on a vehicle's record that something serious once happened to it. A salvage brand means an insurer declared the car a total loss — the repair bill after a crash, fire, flood or theft recovery outran its value. A rebuilt or reconstructed brand means a former salvage car was repaired and passed inspection to return to the road. Other brands cover flood, hail or non-repairable status. The exact terms are set province by province, but the principle is the same everywhere: a branded car is worth less, is harder to insure and resell, and may hide damage — and the brand never washes off its true history.
The Buyer's Risk in a Rebuilt Car
A rebuilt car is legal to drive, and a properly repaired one can be a genuine bargain. The danger is the gap between a good rebuild and a cosmetic one. Structural damage that was straightened but not corrected, airbags that were never replaced, flood corrosion working through the wiring — these can be invisible at a viewing and expensive or dangerous later. On top of that, insurers often charge more or limit coverage on branded cars, and your own resale value takes the same hit the brand imposed on the seller. The rule: never pay clean-title money for a branded car, and never skip an inspection.
How a VIN Check Flags Write-Off History
Enter the 17-character VIN and Carlytics looks for branded-title, salvage and write-off risk signals wherever they appear in the records available to it, then layers on worldwide safety recalls, a stolen-vehicle check, and mileage history with rollback detection. The VIN is the key advantage here: because it stays with the car across provincial and national borders, risk signals tied to that number can surface even when a seller has moved the vehicle to a jurisdiction where the brand didn't carry over cleanly — the classic title-washing move.
Confirm the Title, Then Inspect
Because the report is an early-warning screen rather than a complete title registry, treat a clean result as encouraging, not conclusive. Always read the brand line on the actual title document, confirm the stamped VIN matches every piece of paper and the car itself, and — on anything that has been repaired — have a qualified mechanic inspect the structure and safety systems. Run the affordable VIN check first to decide which cars are even worth that effort, and you'll spend your inspection budget only on the vehicles that deserve it.
What we check for when preparing a report
Carlytics is the largest online database of used vehicle records. It contains more than a billion data points from all over the world.
Damage
We check if the car has been in any accidents or had serious repairs. Damage can lower the car's value and cause safety problems. Our report helps you avoid cars with hidden damage that sellers might not tell you about.
Mileage rollbacks
We look for signs that the mileage might have been changed. Some sellers lower the mileage to make the car look newer. We check mileage records from different databases to make sure the numbers are honest.
Specs & equipment
We list the car's original features and equipment. This helps you see if anything is missing or changed. You'll know exactly what the car should have when it left the factory.
Safety
Manufacturers typically issue safety recalls to fix harmful defects. Make sure your car doesn't have any before taking it on the road and also learn its general safety rating.
Natural disaster
Check if the vehicle has been damaged in floods, hurricanes, or other natural disasters.
Stolen car database
We check police and insurance records to see if the car has been reported stolen. Buying a stolen car can lead to big legal and financial problems. Our report gives you peace of mind.
Photos
If available, we include old photos or auction pictures of the car. <br />These photos can show past damage, repairs, or changes that you might not notice in person.
Market value
We compare prices from many sources to show the car's fair market value.<br />This helps you know if the price is good or too high, so you can make a smart deal.
Trusted in 47+ countries worldwide
Carlytics aggregates vehicle data from 47+ European countries, pulling from national registries like Finnish Traficom (5M vehicles), Dutch RDW, Czech ISTP, and Danish DMR. Combined with NHTSA, EU Safety Gate recalls, and 348,000+ real listings, the database covers 900M+ vehicles.
Access data from national registries,
insurance databases, law enforcement and more.
Why Run a VIN Check Before Buying a Used Car?
An estimated 30-50% of used cars sold cross-border in Europe have tampered mileage. Carlytics catches odometer rollbacks, undisclosed accident damage, stolen-vehicle flags, and open safety recalls by scanning 900M+ records across 47+ countries -- all from a single 17-character VIN, starting free.
Don't risk thousands on a used car with hidden problems. A free VIN check takes seconds and can save you from costly surprises.
Detect Odometer Fraud
An estimated 30-50% of used cars in Europe have tampered mileage. A VIN history check reveals odometer rollback and mileage discrepancies that sellers try to hide.
Uncover Hidden Accident Damage
Structural damage from past accidents may not be visible during a physical inspection. A vehicle history report shows collision records the seller may not disclose.
Verify Stolen Vehicle Status
Over 600,000 vehicles are stolen in the EU each year, many resold across borders. Our stolen car database check confirms the vehicle is legally clear before you buy.
Check Cross-Border Import History
Vehicles imported from abroad may have different specs, undisclosed damage, or missing service records. Trace the full registration and import history with a VIN check.
Ready to check your vehicle?
Enter the VIN number below to get a free instant report.