It’s official! Vehicle titles are going digital. At the end of 2022, West Virginia became the first state to transition to digital vehicle titles and registrations.
With a digital vehicle title, gone are the days when you’re searching tirelessly for a document that you probably haven’t seen in years. You’ll be able to access and keep your vehicle title on your smartphone, like an airline ticket. It’s not a tangible document, so it won’t get lost amongst other important documents, and it’s accessed by a secured app. When you need to access your vehicle title to sell your car or trade it in, you can easily access your current title on your phone.
Since the vehicle title isn’t used regularly, printed titles often are misplaced, damaged, or stolen. With a digital title, the access is always there and kept secured behind a login so nothing can happen to your title when it’s not being used.
What do you think about the transition to digital vehicle titles?
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For as little as $159 for most processes, we will save you the headache and prepare all of the car title paperwork needed to get you a new title. Simply choose the title recovery method you’d like to use and we’ll get started!
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Order Vermont Title LoopholeOrder Deceased Owner Title TransferOrder Bonded Title ProcessOrder Abandoned Vehicle ProcessOrder Prior Owner ContactOrder Lien Release Request LetterPGlmcmFtZSBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vYXBwLmFjdWl0eXNjaGVkdWxpbmcuY29tL3NjaGVkdWxlLnBocD9vd25lcj0xOTQ4ODEyNiZhcHBvaW50bWVudFR5cGU9MjMwNjY0MTAiIHRpdGxlPSJTY2hlZHVsZSBBcHBvaW50bWVudCIgd2lkdGg9IjEwMCUiIGhlaWdodD0iODAwIiBmcmFtZUJvcmRlcj0iMCI+PC9pZnJhbWU+PHNjcmlwdCBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vZW1iZWQuYWN1aXR5c2NoZWR1bGluZy5jb20vanMvZW1iZWQuanMiIHR5cGU9InRleHQvamF2YXNjcmlwdCI+PC9zY3JpcHQ+
Whether you sell used cars or you’re looking to buy one, be on the lookout for an uptick in odometer tampering. According to an article from Car and Driver, odometer fraud has increased in recent years thanks to new technology, it’s easier than ever to tamper with vehicle odometers. More and more used cars are now found to have had their odometer reading changed to falsely reflect lower mileage and a higher overall vehicle value. How can you tell if your car’s odometer has been tampered with?
Before buying a used car, whether for resale or private use, the very first thing to do is to run a vehicle history check using an NMVTIS-approved provider. The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) is a national database that stores all registered and titled vehicle history information. A vehicle history check through an NMVTIS provider will give you the full history of the vehicle, along with the odometer reading recorded at each transfer or from a prior sale. With this information, you can compare the mileage on the report to what is actually showing on the vehicle. If the mileage is too low on the car, compared to the history report, this indicates that the odometer has been tampered with.
For example, let’s say someone buys a car that has 180,000 miles but was last recorded in 2012 as having 90,000 miles. From 2012 to now, there was no mileage recorded because the vehicle wasn’t sold or advertised for sale. Some states require annual mileage reporting along with other regular inspections, but not all states require this, and bad actors will look for cars from these states specifically. Since there isn’t any official documentation to reflect the new odometer reading, this person rolls back the odometer to a bit more than what was last reported, say 95,000 miles. Then, they’ll sell the vehicle to someone else, reflecting the mileage as lower to increase the value of the vehicle. So the buyer ends up with a much higher mileage vehicle that is likely worth half of what they paid for it.
Back before digital odometers, the mileage was shown on a wheel and could literally be rolled back to reflect a lower mileage. This would end up leaving tiny scrapes on the odometer, which would give away that it had been tampered with. Nowadays, the mileage is electronically calculated, and with the right hacking knowledge, it’s a lot harder to spot.
So make sure you’re running a vehicle history check with the NMVTIS before buying a used car. We expect that over the next few years, odometer tampering will increase, but with these increases in activity will likely come changes in policy and new protections. In the meantime, check the VIN and compare the recorded mileage to avoid being victimized by odometer tampering.
If you’re the borrower on a defaulted automotive loan, meaning you’re behind on monthly payments, be aware that lenders are starting to ramp up their recovery tactics to recoup their funds.
As an example, toward the end of 2022, Wells Fargo Automotive began offering incentives to repo companies to prioritize the repossession of their vehicles, according to an article from Auto Finance News. Wells Fargo is offering $500 per vehicle to repo companies amid a shortage of drivers and other personnel.
Frankly, there aren’t enough repo agencies available to recover their vehicles, so banks are putting bounties out to have their vehicles repoed first. So if you have a vehicle with a loan in default, be aware of this, but also consider that you may be in a good position to negotiate the remaining cost with your lender. Your lender doesn’t actually want your car, they just want the money. Oftentimes under similar circumstances, lenders are more willing to negotiate the amount for a lien release rather than be at risk of never recovering that vehicle.
Even if a vehicle is repoed, there are many costs involved. First, the $500 incentive, then the transportation fees, and auction fees which can add up to several thousands of dollars. So in lieu of that hassle, lenders often see the value in negotiating rather than paying thousands of dollars to repo a vehicle in unknown condition or an unknown location.
In today’s discussion, we aim to address two of the most common questions that frequently arise regarding the Vermont registration and bill of sale process for vehicles. We’ll delve into whether you can utilize this process for vehicles in disrepair or as mere shells, and we’ll decipher the intricacies of tax calculations, exploring ways to potentially reduce your tax burden.
Before we dive into the specifics, it’s essential to note that Vermont’s registration process is just one of several methods to obtain a title. While it might seem like a loophole, it may not always be the most optimal solution. Explore all available methods and weigh the pros and cons before settling on the Vermont process.
Let’s focus on the first question: Can you use Vermont registration for a vehicle that’s a shell, not roadworthy, or in parts? The key lies in the Vermont form VD119, the official document for this process. The critical clause to pay attention to is where the owner certifies that the vehicle is “properly equipped in good mechanical condition.” If your vehicle is a mere shell, in disrepair, or lacking essential components, it doesn’t meet the condition requirement. Vermont takes your word for it, but any triggers indicating otherwise could complicate your application.
Attempting to register a project car or a vehicle in non-complete condition might lead Vermont DMV to flag it. The process hinges on the vehicle being in good mechanical condition, and if this condition is not met, you might face challenges during inspection or even the rejection of your application.
Moving on to the second question, determining the tax you owe is a crucial aspect of the Vermont registration process. The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles specifies that the tax is due at the time of registration, based on either the purchase price or the NADA clean trade-in value—whichever is greater.
Navigating Vermont’s registration process involves understanding and adhering to the condition requirement and calculating taxes based on the “whichever is greater” principle. Whether you choose to engage professional assistance or embark on a DIY journey, thoroughly acquaint yourself with the process through instructional videos and stay informed about updates.
At CarTitles.com, we’re here to be part of your solution, providing information, advice, and assistance as needed. Remember, proper knowledge and compliance can streamline the process and save you from potential setbacks. Feel free to share your thoughts, questions, or experiences in the comments, and stay tuned for more informative updates.
If you’ve been following our Car Titles YouTube channel, you might have caught us on a recent episode of The People’s Court. The case was a stark reminder of the potential pitfalls when purchasing a vehicle without a title. Let’s delve into the details of this intriguing case and the valuable lessons it holds for all car buyers.
The plaintiffs had bought a vehicle, only to realize later that the seller hadn’t provided a title; instead, they were handed a receipt or bill of sale. Facing difficulties obtaining a title, they sought our assistance at Car Titles to navigate the paperwork. It turned out to be a case of a vehicle with a fake VIN number and an undisclosed lien.
Our team conducted thorough research, uncovering the discrepancies in the VIN number and the existing lien on the vehicle. Armed with this information, the plaintiffs decided to take the matter to The People’s Court, where they showcased the documentation and forms we provided during their application to the DMV.
The defendant was found liable for the sale of a vehicle with a lien, and the judge expressed clear displeasure at the attempt to sell a car under such circumstances. The case underscored the importance of robust documentation when making a vehicle purchase, emphasizing the need for a buyer to secure a copy of the seller’s identification.
Our role in assisting the plaintiffs caught the attention of The People’s Court producers. We communicated with them afterward, providing additional information and documents related to vehicle titling. This collaboration opens doors for potential future engagements where we can contribute our expertise in vehicle records and titling.
If you’re contemplating purchasing a vehicle without a title, think twice. The risk involved in such transactions is substantial, and any perceived savings may vanish if you encounter obstacles in obtaining a title. It’s a lesson well-learned from a real-life courtroom drama – always prioritize securing a valid title when making a vehicle purchase.
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