VIN Check by State – Search by VIN or License Plate
VinCheck.info has simplified searching for VIN information by state, offering a comprehensive and free DMV VIN check for potential car buyers across the United States. Our user-friendly system enables you to verify the history of any used car you’re interested in. The straightforward process covers various crucial aspects, including:
- A complimentary VIN check for vehicles registered in any state across the U.S.
- Guidance on obtaining title information or making title requests in each state
- Valuable resources tailored for auto-owners and drivers in each state
- Statistics on accidents, disasters, and theft specific to each state
- Insights into the advantages of running a VIN check by state
- And much more…
It’s important to note that VinCheck.info free VIN check by state is consistently accurate, drawing information from official and reliable databases. By examining your vehicle’s history, you gain insights into common risks associated with that particular car. This informed decision-making process empowers you to avoid potential regrets post-purchase.
Buy any used car from anywhere in the United States with confidence. Enter a VIN below to start a VIN check by state:
Check out vehicle-related statistics in your state or your target vehicle’s state of origin. Click on a specific state on the map below:
The map above also shows how the rate of motor vehicle theft varies across the country.
Buying a Used Car: What Are the Critical Areas to Watch Out For?
- Buyer’s claims versus actual history
Compare the seller’s claims against the actual records. A clean-titled car in one state may have a crash, flood damage or theft history in another state.
- Risks in some cities and states to problems related to vehicle condition
A state or city can be vulnerable to disasters, auto theft or accident. Scheming sellers can offer cars stolen in another state. What are your chances of buying a stolen car from New Mexico, for example?
The map below shows 10 states with the highest flood-related disaster declarations. Two coastal states are on the list: Alabama and Mississippi. Observe that most of the major flooding happened inland. Is avoiding sellers from these states enough? No, devious sellers have a way of selling cars with a bad past in other states.
- Vehicles from fatal crashes can get a second chance in the resale market
The table below shows the states with the most and least number of vehicle fatalities in 2012. Ruthless sellers can rebuild any of these vehicles to hide their tragic past.
Fatalities by State, Passenger Cars and Light Trucks, 2022
- State Variations in Title Branding Designation and Criteria
Used car buyers should consider title brands as important factors because:
- Brands alert future owners on damages due to a crash, disaster or theft.
- A state may have its own set of title brands or specific statutory regulations on branding.
- Auto insurers may decide the criteria to declare salvage status
One state may use the “rebuilt” brand for a salvaged vehicle that has been rebuilt or restored. Another state may use the general “salvage” brand for a vehicle with the same condition.
- Reselling of flood-damaged vehicles
In 2017, two of the costliest hurricanes in US history devastated the states of Florida and Texas. How did Hurricanes Harvey and Irma impact the used car industry?
- Over 17,000 flood-damaged cars re-enter the resale market every week.
- Twenty-three percent (23%) end up in the hands of new owners.
- Both states mandate branding of affected cars as flood-damaged.
- Some flood-damaged cars are “title-washed” and sent to another state with clean titles.
- Title washing takes advantage of the lack of consistency in regulations governing flooded cars.
- State Differences in Auto Insurance Laws
- Liability for medical bills and lost earnings due to a crash:
- In no-fault states, the insurer covers it regardless of who was at fault.
- Other states may require auto owners to have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance.
- For car repairs, all states require that the at-fault driver pay the cost.
- Auto insurance requirement
- Most states require car owners to have auto insurance.
- New Hampshire and Virginia don’t require it, but the driver who is at fault would be liable.
- Most states offer other options such as bonds or cash deposits.
- Total loss threshold for designating “salvage” status
- Thresholds range from 50 to 100 percent. (See table below)
- Damage totaling 50 percent of the car’s value is a total loss in Iowa.
- In Texas, the threshold is 100 percent.
- States with no specific threshold use the total loss formula.
- TLF includes the cost of repairs, scrap value, and pre-accident value.
Total Loss Threshold Across the United States
VIN Check By State Resources
The VinCheck.info vehicle history report is a great tool to know the full story on any car. You can do this wherever you are and wherever the car comes from. Our 100% free VIN check scans and cross-checks vehicle records from different parts of the country.
Visit our VIN Check by State pages to access some basic resources that you may need to evaluate your options better:
For your state-specific concerns
- Vehicle Title Request
- Statistics on Accidents
- Thefts and Disasters
- State Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV)
- Emissions and Safety Inspection Locations
For your vehicle-specific concerns
- Vehicle Safety Ratings
- Vehicle Recalls by VIN
- Automotive Market Values
- Automotive Reviews.