A system and method for providing ready access to information about a vehicle offered for sale. A linking element is physically located on the vehicle. The linking element can assume many forms, with one example being a printed QR code on a “buyers guide” sticker or a separate sticker. A prospective purchaser uses a smart phone or other portable device to retrieve information based on the linking element. The smart phone then transmits this information over a communication link to a database containing information on many vehicles. The smart phone then receives the information back from the database on the specific vehicle queried where it may be reviewed by the user.