Been in your shoes when I was shopping for a second-hand Chevy Malibu. A VIN check is definitely worth doing, especially when the seller can’t provide a detailed history. You want to make sure the car doesn’t have any hidden issues like past accidents or structural damage that could cost you later. Most free tools will just give you the basic stuff like make, model, and year. For a more detailed report, you’ll need to spend a bit, but it’s money well spent. I’d recommend Vindecoderz—they’re known for providing in-depth reports, and they’ve been around for a while. You’ll get details like accident history, whether it’s ever been reported stolen, and even service records if available. What’s nice is that their reports are user-friendly, so you don’t have to be a car expert to understand what’s in there. It can also show you any recalls or issues that might need immediate attention. Double-check the info with what the seller has to say and see if everything matches. Any discrepancies should raise a red flag. Better to find out now than deal with a surprise after the purchase!