Skip to main content
Simple & Fast

How Carlytics Works

Check any vehicle in under 30 seconds. Enter a VIN, get a free decode instantly, and unlock the full history for EUR 8.90. No account required.

1
1

Enter Your VIN

Type or paste the 17-character Vehicle Identification Number into the search box on our homepage. You can find the VIN on the dashboard near the windshield, on the driver's side door jamb, or in the vehicle registration document.

Works for any vehicle manufactured since 1981.

2
2

Get Your Free Report

Within seconds, Carlytics decodes the VIN and returns a free report with the vehicle's make, model, year, engine specs, fuel type, transmission, body type, manufacturing country, and any open safety recalls.

No account or payment required for the free check.

3
3

Unlock the Full History

For EUR 8.90, unlock the complete vehicle history report: odometer verification, stolen vehicle check, accident records, market value estimate, running costs, and a downloadable PDF. Delivered instantly.

One-time payment. No subscription.

Try It Now — Free VIN Check

No account required. Free decode in under 10 seconds.

Where Our Data Comes From

Carlytics aggregates data from 900+ databases across 35+ countries. Every report cross-references multiple independent sources to build the most complete picture for each VIN.

Government Registries

  • Finland Traficom (5M+ vehicles)
  • Norway Vegvesen (API-harvested)
  • Czech Republic ISTP (5.8M inspections)
  • Netherlands RDW (per-VIN inspection data)
  • Denmark DMR (3M+ vehicles)
  • EEA CO2 Registration Database

Safety & Recall Databases

  • NHTSA (US) — recalls, complaints, investigations
  • EU Safety Gate (RAPEX) — 4,700+ vehicle alerts
  • Transport Canada — 111,000+ recalls
  • Manufacturer TSBs and campaigns

Vehicle Intelligence

  • NHTSA vPIC — real-time VIN decoding API
  • EU VDS Decoder — European manufacturer patterns
  • WMI Database — 1,400+ manufacturer codes
  • cardata.wiki — 42,000+ vehicle specs
  • EPA Fuel Economy — consumption ratings

Market & Theft Data

  • 348,000+ real European vehicle listings
  • International stolen vehicle registries
  • Insurance write-off databases
  • DTC code database (18,800+ codes)

What We Check

Every Carlytics report runs your VIN through 12 categories of checks, from basic identification to theft risk scoring.

Vehicle Identity
VIN authenticity, manufacturer, model, year, trim, and factory configuration.
Odometer History
Cross-country mileage readings to detect rollbacks and inconsistencies.
Stolen Status
International theft registries including Interpol and national police databases.
Safety Recalls
Open manufacturer recalls from NHTSA, EU Safety Gate, and Transport Canada.
Accident History
Insurance claims, collision reports, flood damage, and write-off records.
Market Value
Fair price estimate from 348,000+ real European listings.
Running Costs
Annual fuel, insurance, maintenance, and road tax estimates.
Tax Calculator
German KFZ-Steuer calculation based on engine and emissions data.
Emissions & Zones
Euro class, CO2 figures, and city environmental zone compatibility.
Known Issues
Common problems for your specific make, model, and year from owner reports.
Theft Risk Score
Statistical theft risk rating based on make, model, and regional data.
PDF Report
Downloadable PDF with all findings, plus 30 days of online access.

Trusted by Buyers Across Europe

900+
Databases Checked
35+
Countries Covered
200+
Manufacturers Decoded
<30s
Average Report Time

How Carlytics Protects You

Odometer Fraud Detection

30-50% of used cars traded across European borders have tampered odometers. Carlytics cross-references mileage readings from multiple countries to catch rollbacks.

Stolen Vehicle Identification

Stolen cars are frequently moved across borders. Our check queries international theft registries so you do not unknowingly buy a stolen vehicle.

Hidden Accident Damage

A car may look perfect on the outside but have structural damage from a previous collision. Our accident records check reveals insurance claims and write-offs.

Outstanding Safety Recalls

Unresolved manufacturer recalls can be safety-critical. Carlytics checks NHTSA, EU Safety Gate, and Transport Canada for open recalls on your specific VIN.

Common Questions

Everything you need to know about using Carlytics

How long does a VIN check take?
The free VIN decode returns results in under 10 seconds. The full paid report is also delivered instantly after payment — typically within 15-30 seconds. You get immediate online access and can download the PDF at any time.
Do I need to create an account?
No. You can check a VIN and purchase a report without creating an account. Just enter the VIN, review the free results, and pay EUR 8.90 if you want the full history. The report link is sent to your email for future reference.
What if my VIN is not recognized?
Carlytics can decode any valid 17-character VIN for vehicles manufactured since 1981. If the VIN structure is invalid (wrong check digit, incorrect length), the system will tell you immediately. For very rare or specialty vehicles, some data sections may have limited coverage, but the core decode and safety recall check will always work.
Which countries are covered?
Carlytics covers vehicles across 35+ countries with data from 900+ databases. Coverage is strongest for EU member states (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Poland, Czech Republic, etc.), the UK, and the US. The VIN decoder works for any vehicle worldwide.

Ready to Check a Vehicle?

Enter any 17-character VIN to get a free vehicle decode in seconds. Full history report from EUR 8.90.

Try It Now — Free VIN Check

No account required · No credit card needed for free check