Free Title Check by VIN or License Plate
Check for title records on any vehicle before you buy. Protect your investment by avoiding troubled vehicles.
What is a Vehicle Title?
A vehicle title or a certificate of title is a document that proves ownership of a vehicle. It is a legal document issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to car owners to show vehicle ownership.
Paying for a vehicle and driving it home doesn’t make you its owner; a vehicle title does. This title shows vehicle data such as the legal owner, the make, model, year, and the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
It also displays information on the vehicle’s condition and past records. For example, if the vehicle has an outstanding loan, the lender’s information will be included alongside other important information. Titles can also show if a vehicle has been declared a total loss in the past due to damage, theft, etc.
Different types of vehicle titles
All vehicles start with a clean title but may receive other title brands as they age. When a vehicle is involved in an accident or damaged by floods, thefts, and other causes and is sometimes declared a total loss—meaning it costs more to repair than it’s worth—it will be issued a branded title.
There are more than a dozen different title brands, each indicating a different status or history of the vehicle. These are the most common:
Clear title: Having a clear title means that there are no outstanding loans or financial claims against the vehicle. This indicates that the owner has full ownership rights and can sell or transfer the car without any legal obstruction.
Salvage title: A salvage title brand is issued to any vehicle that has been wrecked, destroyed, or damaged and costs more to repair than its actual worth. They can be repaired and driven in many cases but will have the title.
Rebuilt title: A rebuilt title, also known as reconstructed title, is issued to vehicles that were previously declared salvage but have been repaired to meet safety standards.
Lemon title: A lemon title is issued to a vehicle repurchased by the manufacturer under certain conditions and laws. This happens if a new vehicle is found with a recurring defect.
Odometer rollback title: This shows that a vehicle’s odometer has been tampered with to make it appear that it has less wear and tear than it actually does.
Flood damage title: This title is issued to vehicles damaged by freshwater floods, hurricanes, thunderstorms, or flash flooding.
Why Do You Need to Check the Branded Title?
One of the top reasons for needing a title check is to avoid buying problematic cars unknowingly. and save money and time. A vehicle may look fine on the surface but with significant problems underneath.
According to the Auto Lemon Index, there were 34,397 lemon law cases filed in 2018 through 2021. What happens if you end up with one of these? Do you have the time and resources for filing lemon law cases?
Not only that, the NHTSA estimates that more than 450,000 vehicles are sold yearly with false odometer readings. Do you want a vehicle that has covered much more mileage than you think with more significant wear and tear? There are also vehicles with exempt mileage titles, which can add further confusion.
According to recent reports, salvage vehicle sales totaled $425,051 in April 2024, indicating a substantial volume of transactions in the salvage market. All the more reason why you should get one.
Not all sellers can give you a correct historical account of their used cars; hence, there is a need to check the title. Avoid legal problems today with a free title check by VIN.
What Can You Learn from a Title Check?
A title check can provide valuable information about a vehicle’s history, including:
On actual sales listing
Auction date: 01/30/2024
Location: Denver Central (CO)
Odometer: 44,650 mi
Title type: PS
Primary damage: Rear
Auction sold price: $7,800
Title Checked
Sales date: 06/21/2024
Location: Omaha (NE)
Odometer: 44,808 mi
Seller type: Dealership
Condition: Used
Sales price: 19,495
- Ownership history: Learn who has owned the car and if there have been any ownership changes.
- Accident history: Discover if the car has been in any major accidents or has had significant damage.
- Title brands: Check for any title brands, such as salvage, rebuilt, or lemon, which can indicate past issues with the vehicle.
- Odometer readings: Verify the car's mileage and check for any discrepancies.
- Liens and loan records: Determine if there are any outstanding loans or liens on the vehicle.
How to Run a Free Title Check by VIN?
A free title check by VIN searches government records and private databases for information about a vehicle using the VIN. It checks these databases and provides a report on its findings.
To run a free title check using the VIN, these are the steps you need to follow:
- Find the VIN on the vehicle you are interested in. It can be found on the dashboard, driver’s side door jamb, or registration papers. You can also use the license plate number.
- Next, enter the VIN or license plate number into the form on this page.
- Fill out the rest of the form and wait a few seconds for the results to load.
- Review the vehicle history report to learn more about the vehicle's history and condition.
That’s it! The title search by VIN tool is free to use and can significantly reduce the risk of ending up with a vehicle with a branded title.
VIN Number vs. Title Number
Simply put, the VIN number is a unique 17-character code that identifies the vehicle and its specifications. The vehicle title number, on the other hand, is a unique seven- to eight-digit identifier for the vehicle’s ownership document and can change with each ownership transfer.
A vehicle can only have one VIN throughout its life, but it can have several different title numbers depending on the number of times ownership was transferred.
Where can you find the VIN?
You can typically find the VIN on the:
- Dashboard of the vehicle
- Driver’s side door jamb
- Engine block
- Vehicle registration documents
- Insurance documents
Where can you find the Title Number?
You can find the title number from the:
- Certificate of title
- Vehicle registration documents
- DMV
Resources on Car Titles
Frequently Asked Questions
It is illegal to sell a car without a title in 48 states in the U.S., with the only exception being Arkansas and Alabama. If you don’t have the title, you can apply for a title replacement to your local DMV.
In most states, you cannot register a vehicle without a valid title. There are a handful of states, like Georgia and Rhode Island, where you only need a bill of sale to register a car under your name.
The cost to transfer a title varies by state; Some states also offer a discount for transferring title between family members. However, the costs typically range between $10 and $100.
A clean title indicates the vehicle has never been declared a total loss, while a clear title means there are no outstanding loans or liens on the vehicle.
The cost to obtain a replacement title varies by state but is typically between $10 and $50. You can go to your local DMV official websites to get the exact price you are elligible to.
It varies greatly by state. Some states, like Michigan, offer same-day service for vehicle title replacement. Other states have a stricter waiting time to prevent fraud and other illegal activities. Illinois, for example, does not issue a replacement title until 15 days after issuing the original title.
Yes, the VIN number is always printed on the vehicle’s title. Even if the title number changes, the VIN listed on the document will remain the same.
