LemonChecks

Trust & transparency

About LemonChecks

Honest, government-backed vehicle history guidance for used-car buyers since 2015.

By Christopher Kuhn, ASE Certified Mechanic Sources: NMVTIS, NHTSA, NICB, state DMVs

Quick answer

LemonChecks is a free used-car research site. Our VIN checks and guides rely on public government and nonprofit data — NMVTIS, NHTSA, NICB and state DMV records — and we tell you plainly when a paid report is worth it.

About the founder & editor

Christopher Kuhn

Co-founder & Creator of LemonChecks

ASE Certified MechanicRunning LemonChecks since November 1, 2015Car safety advocate

Christopher Kuhn co-founded and created LemonChecks and has run it since it launched on November 1, 2015. He is an ASE Certified Mechanic and an active vehicle safety and consumer car-safety advocate. Over multiple years he has contributed many times to articles and discussions on Kelley Blue Book, NHTSA, Car and Driver, MotorTrend and Quora.

Contributed to

  • Kelley Blue Book (KBB)
  • NHTSA
  • Car and Driver
  • MotorTrend
  • Quora

Who we are

LemonChecks.com has helped people avoid buying lemons since 2015. We built free tools — VIN checks, recall checks, salvage title checks, a 50-state lemon law guide and car care guides — so buyers can check a car before handing over money.

Our editorial standards

  • Primary sources first. Facts come from federal agencies, state statutes and DMVs — not other report resellers.
  • Plain prices. We show what reports really cost (Carfax $44.99, AutoCheck $29.99) and point out free options first.
  • Regular reviews. Guides are checked and updated when laws, prices or data sources change.
  • Affiliate disclosure. Some report links earn us a referral fee. It never changes what we recommend, and free checks stay free.

Questions or corrections?

Spot something out of date? Contact us and we'll review it.

Where the data comes from

Our data sources

  • NMVTIS

    Federal title database run by the U.S. Department of Justice. Every state DMV, insurer and salvage yard reports to it.

    Title brands, salvage, junk, total loss, odometer

  • NHTSA

    U.S. Department of Transportation agency that publishes VIN decoding and official safety recall data.

    Year, make, model, specs, safety recalls

  • NICB

    Nonprofit backed by insurers that tracks stolen vehicles and insurance total-loss claims.

    Theft records, insurance total losses

  • State DMVs

    All 50 state DMVs issue titles and registrations and report brands to NMVTIS.

    Titles, registrations, liens, state brands