Car database check
VIN report — the base check
VIN (17 chars, windshield/pillar/docs) — query paid bases (autoDNA, carVertical) + free ones (police, MIA wanted lists). The report shows accidents, mileage across countries, taxi/rental use.
Stolen & wanted check
Check the Ukrainian MIA wanted database — free online. For EU cars — Interpol and origin-country databases. A wanted car = seizure without compensation.
Pledge & loan check
The movable-pledge registry — free VIN check. A bank-pledged car: sale without bank consent is illegal, the debt follows the car. Non-bank loans — the NBU registry.
Taxi & commercial use
Taxi signs in reports: short service intervals, interior photos in ad history, 150k+ km in 2–3 years. Commercial cars wear 2–3× more — negotiate 20–30% off or walk away.
Registration restrictions
Re-registration bans: owner asset seizure, inheritance disputes, criminal cases. Check via the MIA service before prepayment — a 'clean' seller with a seizure can't register the car to you.
Document matching
Body VIN = registration VIN = service book VIN. Different fonts, rivets, welds near the VIN — expert questions. A duplicate title often hides history.