A VIN (vehicle identification number) is a specific 17-character string of numbers and letters that uniquely identifies a specific vehicle. Every car has its own VIN, no two cars are exactly alike. The VIN is assigned to the vehicle when it’s manufactured. Checking the VIN can reveal information about the vehicle dating back to when it was first manufactured, such as accident reports, salvage reports, stolen reports, and much more information. The VIN is typically stamped on a metal tag and is often located on the driver’s side of the dash, the door jamb, or under the hood.
Most VINs are 17-characters, but this only began in 1981. Some vehicles manufactured before 1981 have a shorter 11-character VIN. This change in regulation grandfathered in vehicles pre-1981 and allows for those vehicles to still be titled, along with certain other vehicles with varying VIN length such as certain import vehicles.
The first three characters of your VIN will tell you where the vehicle is from and where it was manufactured. The next five digits describe the vehicle, the engine, transmission, and other technical features. The next three digits contain the vehicle’s security digit, model year, and the assembly plant. Finally, the last six digits are your vehicle’s serial number. The serial number identifies your specific vehicle, trim, and other specifications.
A VIN check is the process of checking your VIN against the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) database. There are many websites that offer this service for free and will pull information directly from this database. It’s crucial to check your VIN before buying because if your VIN shows up in the NMVTIS database, you can not get a title for that vehicle.
The NMVTIS is a database that contains information about salvage, junk, and other damage-titled vehicles. Vehicles in this database are not eligible for a title because they have received a title brand such as salvage or junk which deems them inoperable for use. The database is designed to protect consumers by allowing them to check whether their vehicle has a salvaged title or not. This information is usually included in the VIN check results from websites like VINAudit and CarFax.
The VIN is a useful way to decode and understand more about individual components of your car. If you’re considering purchasing a new or used vehicle, you should be familiar with what the different components represent. By decoding the VIN, you can get a good idea of which parts will be in your car. Conducting a VIN check before purchasing a vehicle can bring you the peace of mind that you are receiving the full value of your purchase.
A bill of sale is the record of the transaction of a vehicle between buyer and seller. It’s also known as a proof of purchase or sales receipt. The bill of sale proves that you were the person who purchased the vehicle. By itself, a bill of sale will not allow you to get a title, but this document can serve as evidence of ownership when it comes to transferring the title. Every bill of sale will look slightly different, but there are nine key components that every bill of sale needs to have.
When writing a bill of sale, there are some important things to remember. One of the most important things is to make sure that all of the information on the title matches what’s on the bill of sale. This ensures that the buyer gets what they paid for and that there aren’t any issues with transferring ownership in the future. If the information doesn’t match, then the DMV won’t be able to process the title when it’s time to transfer to the new owner.
Additionally, the seller is responsible for signing over the new title to the buyer. As the buyer, make sure to check the ID of the seller. If the seller’s ID doesn’t match the title and bill of sale, this may be a red flag. Remember, only the individual named on the vehicle’s title can legally sign over ownership.
The bill of sale is an incredibly important document and provides a paper trail of the transaction of the vehicle. A bill of sale doesn’t take long to write, but the contents of the documents are of the utmost importance. A well-written bill of sale will clearly show the transaction that took place and will not exclude any of the components in this article. By itself, a bill of sale won’t get you a title, but it is most often the first step to obtaining a vehicle title in your name.
A car title, also known as a vehicle title or certificate of title, is a legal document that establishes ownership of a vehicle. A car title isn’t a document that can be printed or purchased on demand; there’s more to the ownership criteria than simply having the keys to the vehicle and saying it’s yours. If you haven’t received the title from the prior owner or the dealership, you do not have legal ownership in your name for the vehicle.
To obtain a car title from the DMV, you’ll need to provide more than just your bill of sale. Your bill of sale, also known as the proof of purchase or sales receipt, is the document that records the transaction of the vehicle between buyer and seller. By itself the bill of sale cannot simply get you a title, you’ll also need to provide the DMV with the previous title signed over by the prior owner. Providing the DMV with the title signed by the prior owner in their database will provide them with the security they need to transfer ownership of the vehicle. What happens if the prior owner cannot be located or the title is missing?
If you cannot locate the prior owner of your vehicle, or the title is damaged, lost, or stolen, there are other methods to apply for a car title:
The Vermont title loophole is an out-of-state title method using a bill of sale for vehicles 15 years or older. This process involves receiving a title from the state of Vermont and transferring it to your state of residence. The applicant does not have to be a resident of Vermont and the vehicle does not have to reside in the state.
A bonded title is a method of title recovery that requires the purchase of a surety bond to back up your claim of ownership and protect the DMV in the event of a dispute of ownership.
A court-ordered title is a method of title recovery that requires the applicant to complete an affidavit and open a court case that will result in the judge ordering a title to be issued in the applicant’s name.
These methods of title recovery are very common and can be used in the event that ownership documents are not sufficient enough to get a title directly from the DMV. Why does the DMV make it so hard to get a title?
The car title process is intentionally difficult in order to protect the interests of vehicle owners. The difficulty of the process will inhibit the majority of scammers from attempting to fraudulently apply for a title. If it was easy to get a title, someone could easily take ownership of your vehicle. For example, if you parked in a long-term parking lot while on vacation and it was easy to get a title, the parking attendant could decide they like your car and take ownership while you’re gone. The DMV makes it difficult for someone else to seize ownership of your vehicle. Titling your vehicle in your name provides protection for you and your assets. If it’s your vehicle, you deserve the title in your name.
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Have you ever considered buying a car from an auto auction? These vehicles are often priced lower than similar used cars and can be a good alternative to purchasing from a dealer. However, there are a few things you’ll want to know before you start your search for the perfect vehicle.
Check the auto auction’s license. Verify that the auto auction has all of the necessary licenses to conduct business in your state. This information should be available on their website or when you call to inquire about the auction. Some states require that all businesses collect sales tax for items sold at an auction, so be sure to ask if this is required before bidding. Make sure that they have a license to sell cars and not just general merchandise.
Don’t just read the description of the vehicle; make sure that it matches the actual car being sold. If the body is damaged or there are mechanical problems, they will be noted in this section of the auction. Compare the mileage, colors, and other specifications listed in the auction with those on the vehicle itself. If you have any questions about the vehicle’s history or condition, ask the seller in advance so that you don’t discover any surprises after you’ve purchased it.
A VIN is a 17-character code that identifies a vehicle. Vehicle models prior to 1981 sometimes have less than 17 characters but are still typically considered valid. It contains information about the vehicle’s manufacturer, model, and serial number, as well as details about the options and features of the car. The VIN also confirms whether or not a vehicle has ever been rebuilt or salvaged. The problem is, you can’t tell if a VIN is salvage or junk by just looking at it. You’ll need to run a VIN check through the National Motor Vehicle Title Information system (NMVTIS) to ensure your VIN is not listed. If your VIN is listed in the NMVTIS, you will not be able to get a title, even if the auction signs one over to you. VINs entered into the NMVTIS are not eligible for a title.
Additionally, make sure that the VIN decoding process reveals information that matches the vehicle you’re buying. If it doesn’t match the vehicle, it could indicate a red flag that the sale is a scam.
Some auctions feature military vehicles that are up for auction. It’s important to note that some states do not allow these vehicles on the road. Government vehicles will have slightly different paperwork than civilian vehicles. Check to see what type of title transfer you will receive. The Standard Form SF97 or Transferrable Title is typically the title form provided, but not all states, such as Florida, accept this as a method of title transfer. If your state doesn’t allow these types of military vehicles to be on the road, you will not be able to get a title.
Do your research on the type of vehicle you want and what to look for when buying from an auction. Auto auctions sell many types of vehicles and trucks—from boats to RVs—so make sure that you know what you’re bidding on and have enough money set aside for repairs. Also, test drive any vehicle before buying it to make sure it runs well, especially if you are traveling a long distance to get to the auction site. Auto auctions can be a great resource to find your next ride, this article will help you prepare.
Order Lien Release Request
The vehicle lien release is a government-issued document that officially declares that the lien on your vehicle title has been removed and you will be free to take action with your vehicle. This document removes any restrictions on what you can do with your car. A vehicle lien release is an essential step to selling, trading, or giving away your car. A person is typically eligible for a vehicle lien release when the loan on the vehicle has been paid back to the lender. However, this isn’t an instantaneous process. Depending on the availability of your lender, there may be additional steps to take to obtain a vehicle lien release.
A vehicle lien title or a lien title is the designation of vehicle title that states the lienholder (aka your lender) is the owner of the vehicle until the lien (aka your auto loan) is paid back in full. Many vehicle owners have this type of title designation unless they’ve purchased their vehicle without the help of a lender. This type of title designation has limitations for the buyer and does not have the full range of abilities as the clear title designation.
A clear title is a vehicle title that has no liens, hold, or any other special interests or designations. A clear title has the owner’s name on the front (not the lienholder) and allows the owner to do as they please with their vehicle.
The vehicle lien release process will differ depending on your state, your situation, and your lender, but there are 4 main steps to this process:
The lienholder of your title is the lender of your auto loan. If you’re not sure who that is, check your bank records and identify the business entity that received your monthly car payments. Once that entity is identified, make note of the mailing address, physical address, registered agent address, corporate address, and any other address listed for this entity. This information can be pulled from the lienholder’s website or through your state’s Secretary of State business entity database.
Create at least five sets of copies for your lien release request. To officially request your lien be released from your vehicle title, you must send your lienholder a lien release request letter. In this letter, you must include the following:
The letter of non-interest is in the event that your lienholder has no further interest in collecting on the lien and would like to legally sign off on their interests. The letter of non-interest should include all of the contents of the lien release request letter and should also provide a section where the lienholder can sign away their interests.
Using the addresses you found for your lienholder, mail a set of your copies to each of the addresses via certified mail. In each envelope, you should include:
It may seem redundant to mail identical copies to multiple locations, but this is the best way to ensure that your lien release request is received. Most lienholders do not have a lien release department with staff standing by to release liens as they come in. Due to this, it’s important to attempt to reach as many locations as possible to reach the correct recipient or at least the recipient that has the ability to help.
Mailing your letter via certified mail will create a paper trail that proves you are attempting to release a lien on your vehicle title. This evidence will come in handy later if your lender cannot be located.
When your lienholder has released your lien or signed off on the letter of non-interest, the documents they provide to you can be taken to the DMV and you are now able to apply for a clear title! Your state DMV can then assist you in the application process. Before you go to the DMV, make sure you have the funds allocated for registration and taxes.
Oftentimes when a lienholder or lender can’t be located, it means they’ve gone out of business. However, lenders don’t just close up shop and forget about their customers. Lenders will often be acquired by other companies or they’ll sell their loans to another financial institution to continue being paid off. If you can’t locate your lender, look to see if they were bought out or transferred their business to another entity.
If the loan is paid off, but the lien is on the title, you aren’t the owner. If you have a lien title, your lender is considered the owner. Requesting a lien release to apply for a clear title is an important part of keeping your assets safe from theft. Additionally, if your lienholder is listed on the title as the owner and you lost the title, you will not be able to apply for a duplicate title since it was not your name last printed. Removing a lien after the loan is paid off keeps you and your assets safe and secure.
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