The Department of Justice has created a public federal database that lets used car buyers check them out before purchase. About 2/3 completed, put in a vehicle number and you can get the car’s record. Salvage yards, states and insurance companies are required to submit the information that will include if the vehicle was damaged in a disaster or rebuilt after being wrecked or stolen. About 40 to 50 million used cars are sold in the U.S. every year. Since you never really know what kind of shape the vehicle you want is in, it’s definitely worth the $2.50 to get a report.