Buying a used or recond car? Check its history first with CTOS VehicleCheck, just RM 6

Local credit rating agency CTOS, has introduced a new service dubbed CTOS VehicleCheck, which allows prospective buyers of used and recond cars to obtain a comprehensive vehicle history for a small fee.  

Applicable to locally sold and recond vehicles originating from Japan and the UK, performing a CTOS VehicleCheck before purchase could mean the difference between buying a ‘lemon’ or a well-maintained car.

Also read: Recond car dealers say Japan car owners drive less, true or false?

Partnering with another local service provider Otofacts, used and recond buyers will know the following after performing a CTOS VehicleCheck:

• If the vehicle has suffered damage resulting in a written-off status, i.e.: accident, fire, flood or natural disaster.
• If the vehicle's odometer reading is consistent with what has previously been reported
• If the car has previously been reported as stolen
• Previous sale or auction listings

Especially important for recond cars, the CTOS VehicleCheck will also report if the vehicle has a salvage title (deemed unroadworthy due to damage/theft in UK and Japan) or if the vehicle has an outstanding recall. In certain cases, the report will even tell you if the airbags have been deployed.

Also read: VIN, it's your car's 'IC number' and here's how to find it

You can perform a CTOS VehicleCheck after creating a login and punching in the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) in the search box. From there, buyers will have to pay a small fee (RM 6.00) to obtain the results.

For locally sold vehicles, the service offers a general vehicle check as well as an insurance check.