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VIN must be made up of exactly 17 characters and belongs to a vehicle manufacturer after 1980.
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Please check your VIN to make sure it’s valid and try your search again.
VIN must be made up of exactly 17 characters and belongs to a vehicle manufacturer after 1980.
A vehicle title is a critical document that contains essential information about the vehicle, including the vehicle's identification number (VIN), make, model, year, record of ownership, mileage, legal status as well as a record of significant events in the car’s history. The title also lists the owner's name and address, as well as any lien holders or other parties with a financial interest in the vehicle. Vehicle titles are typically issued by the state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and are required to register and insure a vehicle.
The title is usually a paper document, but some states offer electronic titles as well. When a vehicle is sold, the title is transferred to the new owner, and the seller is required to provide the buyer with a signed title that includes the odometer reading and any other relevant information. A vehicle title is an essential document that helps to prevent theft, ensures that vehicles are properly registered and insured, and provides a record of ownership that can be used to resolve disputes or transfer ownership.
1. Verify Ownership: A title check helps to verify the ownership of a vehicle and ensures that the seller is the rightful owner. (Example: A vehicle's title shows that the current owner is John Doe, but a title check reveals that the vehicle is still registered in the name of the previous owner, Jane Smith.)
2. Detect Liens: A title check can reveal any outstanding liens on a vehicle, which can affect the vehicle's value and the buyer's financial obligations. (Example: A title check shows that a vehicle has an outstanding lien of $5,000 to a bank, which means that the buyer will have to pay off the lien before they can obtain clear ownership.)
3. Check for Lemon Buybacks: A title check can reveal if a vehicle has been previously bought back by a manufacturer due to defects or other issues, which can indicate a potential problem with the vehicle. (Example: A title check shows that a vehicle was previously bought back by Toyota due to a faulty transmission.)
4. Catastrophic/Salvage Events: A title check can reveal if a vehicle has been involved in a salvage event, such as a flood or a collision, which can affect the vehicle's value and safety. (Example: A title check shows that a vehicle was involved in a flood in 2017 and was declared a total loss by the insurance company.)
5. Sale History: A title check can provide information about a vehicle's sale history, including the number of previous owners and any major repairs or maintenance. (Example: A title check shows that a vehicle has had three previous owners and was involved in a major accident in 2015.)
6. Check for Brands: Title brands are designations assigned to a vehicle's title when it has been involved in a significant event, such as a salvage, flood, or fire, that affects its value, safety, or ownership. These brands are recorded on the vehicle's title and can include designations such as "salvage," "flood," "fire," "rebuilt," or "junk," which can impact the vehicle's resale value and insurance eligibility. A title check can reveal any brands on a vehicle's title.
7. Prevent Title Washing: A title check can help prevent title washing, which is the practice of hiding a vehicle's problem history by transferring the title to a new state or country. (Example: A title check shows that a vehicle was previously registered in California, but the seller is trying to sell it in New York without disclosing the vehicle's problem history.)
8. Ensure Compliance with Regulations: A title check can ensure that a vehicle is compliant with all relevant regulations, such as emissions and safety standards. (Example: A title check shows that a vehicle is not compliant with California's emissions standards, which means that it cannot be registered in the state.)
9. Check for Odometer Discrepancies: A title check can reveal any discrepancies in a vehicle's odometer reading, which can indicate tampering or other issues. (Example: A title check shows that a vehicle's odometer reading is inconsistent with its age and mileage.)
10. Provide Peace of Mind: A title check can provide peace of mind for buyers by ensuring that they are getting a safe and reliable vehicle. (Example: A title check shows that a vehicle has a clean title and no major issues, which gives the buyer confidence in their purchase decision.)
Lemon Buyback: A vehicle that has been bought back by the manufacturer due to defects or other issues.
Salvage Brand: A vehicle that has been involved in a salvage event, such as a flood or a collision.
Rebuilt Brand: A vehicle that has been rebuilt or reconstructed after a salvage event.
Junk Brand: A vehicle that is deemed to be a total loss and cannot be rebuilt or repaired.
Flood Brand: A vehicle that has been involved in a flood and may have suffered water damage.
TMU Brand: A TMU (Total Mileage Unknown) title is assigned to vehicles with a history of odometer manipulation, tampering, or alteration, indicating that the mileage displayed on the odometer may not be accurate. This designation serves as a warning to potential buyers that the vehicle's true mileage is unknown, which can significantly impact its value and resale potential. TMU titles are typically assigned to vehicles with a record of odometer rollback, disablement, or alteration.
Hail Damage Brand: A vehicle that has been damaged by hail and may have suffered cosmetic or structural damage. Theft recovery Brand: This brand is assisted to vehicles which were stolen and recovered after the time the insurance already declared the vehicle a total loss.
Gray Market: This is a less common title brand mainly assigned to vehicles imported into US from other countries under amended laws or were done so illegally and may not meat US safety and emissions standards.
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