German vehicle history

[Christien]

Does anyone know how to check vehicle histories in Germany? I know this question has been asked here a couple times with respect to the US and the UK, but I couldn't find anything about Germany. AFAIK, my car was originally purchased in Germany (as per the PO but no reason to disbelieve) in 72, then brought to Canada in 83. I've got history since it was registered in Ontario, but nothing prior to that. Obviously being a 72, Carfax doesn't have records. I haven't done a kardex yet, which I may, but I wanted to get an idea of # of owners, etc.

Any ideas?

Thanks!
Chris

P.S. If I'm able to figure it out, anyone speak German and want to help as a translator?

[buster73]

You could try to contact the KBA (Kraftfahrtbundesamt = central registration office) and see if they are willing to give you any information on the previous owners using the VIN number of your car. Privacy laws might be a problem here, but probably they can at least tell you how many previous owners exist.

Contact information:

Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, Fördestraße 16, 24944 Flensburg, Germany
Phone: +49 (4 61) 3 16-0, Fax: +49 (4 61) 3 16-14 95, web page: www.kba.de

Good luck,

[Christien]

Awesome - thanks, I'll try it!

[acapella8]

Excellent info, actually I think mine came from the big "D" originally too, then Canada, then Vegas, Saint Louis, then finally here in Chicago.

-Tom

[Christien]

Well, that didn't work out too well. Here's what I got back from them (in a VERY rough altavista translation):

Dear Mr. Christien, unfortunately I am not in the position to be helpful you. Data over vehicles, which were set more than five years ago finally out of operation, are already deleted in centers the vehicle register (§ 17 vehicle register regulation (FRV)). Yours sincerely in the order Renate Hennig

Am I SOL then?