Free website lets you know if car was stolen or totaled

The National Insurance Crime Bureau recently unveiled a database of vehicles that were stolen, but not recovered, or declared totaled by insurers. And you can search it for free! Unlike commercial databases that sell similar information, the crime bureau has access to the internal records of hundreds of the nation's largest insurance companies.

In the last five years, nearly 12 million vehicles have been totaled by the insurance industry, most of them after collisions, but also after fires and floods. Experts say about 30 percent of those cars end up back on the market.

That’s why you should always have a qualified, independent mechanic inspect a used car before you buy.

While you’re doing your research, check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Web site to be sure the car you’re considering wasn’t recalled.