Car Title Search by VIN: What Every Used Car Buyer Should Know

You have found the perfect used car. The price is right and the test drive went smoothly. But beneath that clean exterior could be a hidden past. A car title search by VIN is the most important step to uncover hidden problems.

What Is a Car Title Search by VIN?

A car title search by VIN uses the vehicle's 17-character identification number to look up its title history in state and national databases. The search queries the NMVTIS database which aggregates title information from all 50 states. A salvage brand from any state will appear in your results, even if the vehicle has been moved across state lines to hide its history.

How to Perform a Title Search by VIN

1. Find the VIN on the dashboard or door jamb of the vehicle
2. Enter it into VINifyCheck free VIN checker on the homepage
3. For full title history, purchase the $9.99 report which queries NMVTIS data from all 50 states
4. Review the title brand section of the report carefully
5. If any brands appear besides Clean, investigate further before purchasing

What Different Title Brands Mean for Buyers

Salvage - The insurance company declared the vehicle a total loss. Rebuilt - A salvage vehicle that was repaired and passed state inspection. Flood - The vehicle sustained water damage significant enough to brand the title. Lemon - The manufacturer repurchased the vehicle under state lemon law. Junk - The vehicle is only good for parts or scrap metal. Branded titles reduce value by 20-50%.

How Branded Titles Affect Value and Insurance

A branded title can reduce a vehicle's resale value by 20 to 50 percent. A car worth $20,000 with a clean title might only be worth $10,000 with a salvage brand. Salvage and flood titles may make full coverage insurance or traditional financing impossible.

Always Perform a Title Search Before Buying

A car title search by VIN costs just $9.99 through VINifyCheck and gives you access to NMVTIS title brand data from all 50 states. The cost is nothing compared to the thousands you could lose by unknowingly purchasing a branded title vehicle.