A used vehicle history report need not cost you anything if you have the VIN number. You can obtain the information on line by requesting a vehicle history quoting the VIN number. If you go to free car fax history you can obtain a free trial membership. Another source for obtaining a free history is the “Is it a lemon site”. At either of these places you should be able to get a free history. If you don’t find help at either of these sites, you can go to the car forums for more help. There are usually members who can help you at these sites. And you could well find fellow enthusiasts for your type of vehicle.
For more info, see How to Find Car History through VIN Number