A vehicle's history in Costa Rica has two parts: its local history at the Registro Nacional (owners, liens and inspections) and, if imported, its US history checked by VIN (titles, salvage, total loss and mileage). On CarrosUsados.cr you can check both: the plate lookup for the local history and the VIN check for the US one.

How do I see the car's history in Costa Rica?

By plate. Our plate lookup shows for free the car, its fiscal value and whether it has liens. The registry detail adds each lien with its type and date, DEKRA inspections, ownership history (dates only, never names) and a marchamo estimate; its price is shown before you pay.

How do I see an imported car's US history?

  1. Find the VIN: 17 characters on the windshield corner, the door frame and the papers.
  2. Enter it in the VIN check: for free you see make, model, year and engine, and whether it has US records.
  3. If it has records, the history report shows title brands, total loss, salvage auctions, odometer readings and recalls, with information provided by VINData℠, an NMVTIS Approved Data Provider. See a sample report.

Which history red flags matter?

  • A salvage, flood or rebuilt title, or mileage that goes down between readings.
  • Active liens, or many owners in a short time.
  • A different VIN on the windshield, door and papers.

Then browse the used cars for sale in Costa Rica.

FAQ

Is a vehicle history free?

Part of it: the car, its fiscal value, liens and whether there are US records. The registry detail and the full US report have a price, shown before you pay.

Reviewed on November 11, 2026 with information from the Registro Nacional, the INS and reports from La Nación, Teletica, Delfino and La República. Each institution's services can change: confirm on its official site.