What is the Photo section in a vehicle history report?

The Photo section in a carVertical vehicle history report contains a collection of available images of a car at a specific time. These can include exterior and interior photos, close-ups, and similar, and can come from various sources, including technical inspections, insurance companies, or auctions.

Photos can provide visual proof of the vehicle's condition at different points during its lifetime, offering a better understanding of its past.

What kind of photos can be included in a report?

Depending on availability, the Photo section can show various historical photos of the vehicle:

• Damage photos. These are generally taken during the insurance claims process, typically after an accident or major incident.
• Auction photos – captured when the vehicle was listed for sale at an auction.
• Inspection, maintenance, or repair photos made during pre-purchase inspections, routine mechanical checks, or during or after repairs.

How to use the Photo section

The Photo section is where you can begin visually investigating the car. Combined with the information in the rest of the report, historical photos can help you assess the car’s condition beyond written descriptions.

For example, if the vehicle has been involved in an accident, you can cross-reference data in the Damage and Photo sections. While the former can provide information about potential damage causes, impacted areas, and similar, the latter can provide visual evidence of the damage and repairs.

Moreover, you can sometimes spot signs of repairs, poor quality, or overlooked damage before even checking the car in person. This can help you better prepare to meet the seller or decide to avoid the visit altogether.

Why historical photos are essential when buying a used car?

Put simply, historical vehicle photos can help you:

• Track the car’s condition over time. Historical photos allow you to see how the vehicle’s condition has changed, helping you identify significant changes, such as modifications or cosmetic issues, that may not be reflected in the written history.
• Assess previous use. You can get a sense of how the vehicle was maintained or used during different periods, which can influence your decision on whether to purchase it.
• Discover hidden damage. If older photos show damage not mentioned by the seller or not available in the report, this can warn about potential hidden repairs or undisclosed issues.

What if there are no photos available for the vehicle?

What information appears in the report depends on the availability of data. Therefore, if the Photo section is empty or there are only a few images of the car included, it means that there are no related records in official databases (e.g., no significant events were recorded) or this feature is not available in your country yet.

Still have questions? If you need more help understanding the Photo section of your report, feel free to reach out to our support team.