Terms & Disclosures

1. About this service

VINhound ("we," "us," "the Service") is an independent automotive concierge providing advisory, listing vetting, dealer-negotiation, and end-to-end purchase support to private vehicle buyers throughout the United States. The Service operates from California.

We are not a vehicle dealer, manufacturer, lender, insurance broker, or repair shop. We do not take title to vehicles, hold inventory, or receive commissions, referral fees, placement payments, manufacturer incentives, or any other compensation from dealers in connection with our work.

2. Independent advisory role

You retain all decision-making authority over any vehicle purchase, sale, or service decision. Our role is to provide information, recommendations, listing vetting findings, and negotiation support. You sign all purchase contracts, loan documents, and other paperwork directly with the dealer, seller, or lender. Title transfers, payment, registration, and delivery occur between you and those parties — not through us.

3. Third-party information

Our findings and recommendations may reference information provided by independent third parties, including but not limited to:

• Vehicle history reports (Carfax, AutoCheck, and similar databases)
• Online listings, photographs, and dealer-supplied descriptions
• Manufacturer specifications, recall notices, and warranty databases
• Independent mechanic inspection reports
• Market value tools, pricing data, and inventory feeds
• AI-generated research summaries within the VINhound platform itself

We rely on these sources in good faith but do not control them and cannot guarantee their accuracy or completeness. A vehicle history report reflects only incidents that were reported to that database. Unreported accidents, undocumented prior damage, off-record repairs, mileage tampering, or any other history not entered into a third-party system will not appear in those reports and cannot be detected by us. Our findings cannot guarantee what we have no way to see.

AI-generated answers within the VINhound chat experience are best-effort summaries of data from multiple sources and should be verified before relying on them for a purchase decision.

4. Dealer and seller representations

Statements, disclosures, or representations made by any dealer, private seller, finance manager, manufacturer, warranty company, or other third party in connection with a vehicle are made by those parties — not by us. We do not verify, warrant, or guarantee the accuracy of any third-party representation, including but not limited to:

• Accident, damage, or prior-use history
• Title status or ownership records
• Odometer or mileage accuracy
• Mechanical or cosmetic condition beyond what we directly verified
• Warranty terms, financing terms, fees, taxes, or add-on product disclosures

If a dealer or seller misrepresents a vehicle, your legal recourse is against that dealer or seller, not against us. Most states provide statutory remedies against dealers for fraud, odometer rollback, or undisclosed prior damage; we will help you document your case but cannot substitute for legal counsel licensed in your state.

5. Vehicle condition and warranties

We provide no warranty, express or implied, regarding any vehicle. Vehicles purchased through engagements arranged by us are subject only to whatever warranty (if any) is provided by the dealer, manufacturer, or a separate warranty contract. Our findings describe the observable or documented condition of a vehicle at the time of engagement and do not predict or guarantee future reliability, mechanical performance, or value.

6. Savings guarantee (Full Concierge)

For the Full Concierge tier ($1,000), we provide a written savings guarantee: if at the conclusion of the engagement the documented savings — measured against the dealer's first written offer on the same vehicle or against comparable verified market pricing — is less than $1,000, we will refund the difference between $1,000 and the savings achieved.

The guarantee applies only when:

• The customer completes the purchase through the negotiation we conducted;
• The customer follows reasonable guidance during the engagement;
• The savings is objectively measurable from documentation we both have access to.

The guarantee does not apply if the customer withdraws mid-engagement, refuses guidance, purchases a different vehicle outside our scope, or pursues add-on products against our advice.

7. Fees and refunds

• Free Deal Review. Complimentary. No refund applicable.
• Listing Vetting, Deal Closing. Fees are paid in advance and earned upon delivery of the agreed-upon service. Refunds are considered case by case when the service was not delivered as agreed.
• Full Concierge. Covered by the savings guarantee in §6.
• Pre-purchase inspections at outside repair facilities. Any fees charged by an independent shop are billed by that facility directly to the customer and are independent of the VINhound fee.

8. Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, our total cumulative liability arising out of or related to any service is limited to the fee actually paid for that service. We are not liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages — including but not limited to loss of value, repair costs, replacement costs, lost use of any vehicle, or lost time — even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

9. Not legal, tax, financial, or insurance advice

Information we provide is for general informational and advisory purposes only and is not legal, tax, accounting, financial, lending, or insurance advice. Vehicle laws, sales-tax treatment, registration rules, and consumer-protection statutes vary by state. For decisions involving titles, taxes, lending, warranty contracts, insurance, or disputes, consult a qualified licensed professional in your state.

10. Out-of-state purchases

When we assist with a purchase from a dealer or seller outside your state of residence, additional steps may apply — including transport, temporary tags, registration in your home state, and state-to-state title transfers. We will help coordinate these steps but cannot guarantee timelines or outcomes that depend on third-party titling agencies or shipping providers. Sales-tax treatment of out-of-state purchases varies by jurisdiction; consult a tax professional.

11. Privacy

We collect only the contact information and vehicle preferences needed to deliver the service you request. We do not sell, rent, or otherwise share your personal information with dealers, manufacturers, advertisers, or third-party marketers. Communication records and findings are retained for our own records; they are not shared with third parties without your consent except as required by law.

If you are a California resident, you have rights under the CCPA/CPRA to know, delete, and opt out of any sale of personal information (we do not sell personal information). Residents of other states with applicable privacy laws have analogous rights. To exercise any privacy right, contact us using the information in §14.

12. Governing law and venue

These terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict-of-law principles. Any dispute arising out of or related to these terms or our services will be resolved in the state or federal courts located in San Luis Obispo County, California, and you and we consent to the jurisdiction of those courts.

13. Changes to these terms

We may update these terms from time to time. The current version is always posted at this URL. Material changes will be reflected in the effective date above. Continued use of the Service after a change constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.

14. Contact

Questions about these terms or any service can be submitted through the intake form on this site, or via the email address we reply with after your first message. Replies are typically within one business day.