Vermont VIN Lookup

Buying used cars is usually the economical way to get an automobile without breaking the bank. However, as with buying any used material, it is not without risks. Purchasing used cars at an average cost of $24,033 mandates the need to reduce the risks of buying a faulty vehicle.

In Vermont, it is especially important that a buyer stays vigilant and double-checks every part of the used car intended for purchase. This is because the Lemon laws do not apply to the purchase of used cars in Vermont. This implies that before buying a used car from any of the over 75 dealerships in Vermont, a buyer must carefully check eligibility criteria, such as accurate mileage reading and warranty, before making a decision.

With this in mind, VIN lookups are a sure way to protect yourself from the risks involved in buying a used car in Vermont. VIN checks give detailed information about a used car. These details include crash reports, existing warranty and liens, salvage records, inspection, and other vehicular records.

Why Performing a Vermont VIN Check Is Important?

A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique 17-character code assigned to a vehicle. No two vehicles can have the same VIN as each code is the access to a car’s information such as its history, features, mileage readings, and more. Every car in Vermont must possess a VIN. Given the importance of a VIN, it is important to conduct a VIN lookup before purchasing any vehicle, especially used cars. When you conduct a VIN check on a vehicle in Vermont, you will find detailed reports on the vehicle’s history, such as:

• Accident History: VIN checks help buyers know the car’s history of collisions and repairs. It contains detailed reports as to whether the car has been totaled before being refurbished or if the repairs made after accidents have been minor. With this information, a buyer can make an informed decision as to the actual value of the car or know if they are being scammed.
• Odometer Readings: Many auto fraud cases have been centered around false or doctored mileage readings. A VIN check on a car will show the accurate accumulated mileage of the vehicle. This will help detect any discrepancies, protect a buyer from fraudulent dealers, and ensure that only a fair price is paid based on the actual car mileage.
• Title Brand and Salvage Records: A VIN check in Vermont will reveal any rebuild, flood damage, or salvage that has been made on a used car. This will help eliminate costly surprises and help a buyer evaluate the real resale value of a car.
• Title and Registration: Vermont Statutes Chapter 007 states that any vehicle that will be used within the state is to be duly registered at the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Failure to register a vehicle within the stipulated time is an offense that can attract a fine of up to $1,000. Checking a vehicle’s VIN is an effective way to ensure that the vehicle is not a stolen car, even though Vermont records the lowest number of car thefts within the country - 38.9 cases per 100,000 residents. However low the statistics may look, one must run a VIN check to be double-sure.

Generally, VIN lookups protect you from auto fraud. Four percent of all fraud cases in Vermont are auto-related so it is important to run VIN checks before purchasing any vehicle. A VIN will help spot discrepancies in information from the seller and help a buyer make a well-informed choice before making a purchase.

How To Perform a Vermont VIN Check

VIN checks can be made in various state and federal agencies in Vermont. These include:

• The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV): The VIN on a vehicle can be verified using the Verification of VIN link on the DMV website to access and fill an online form that will be mailed to:

  Department of Motor Vehicles
  120 State Street
  Montpelier, Vermont 05603-0001
  (802)828 2000

• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): The NHTSA’s VIN Decoder gives access to VIN verification and other information about a car such as its manufacture year, the place where it was manufactured, safety ratings, recalls, and accurate odometer readings. Verification is done by imputing either full or partial VIN information and the model year of the vehicle.
• The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB): To verify if a car is stolen or has been salvaged, the NICB’s VINCheck furnishes interested persons with such information. A full VIN is however needed to access this service. There is also a 5-times limit to the number of searches per day.

Free vs. Paid VIN Check Services in Vermont

Government agencies and some nonprofit organizations offer free VIN lookup services. However, it will be easier to make better choices with access to more information on cars via a third-party website. Online platforms like iSeeCar, EpicVIN, and GoodCar offer premium services to interested individuals for a small fee. Via these platforms, detailed vehicle reports can be accessed. The information that a VIN check contains includes:

• Accurate odometer readings
• Title details
• Accident history
• Rebuild records
• Inspection records
• Ownership records
• Sales History
• Title brands
• Vehicle specifications
• NHTSA crash test ratings
• Retail, trade-in, and private-party pricing
• Vehicle model year
• Service and maintenance records
• Safety defects and recalls, and other information

What Used Car Scams Are Common in Vermont?

The Vermont Legal Aid has recently filed dozens of complaints about fraudulent car dealerships in the last four years. From passing unregistered vehicles off as registered, giving fraudulent car dealership loans, to taking payments and not responding to buyers, the list of auto fraud cases is a long one. Other common car-related frauds include:

Odometer Rollbacks:

This involves changing the mileage reading on a car’s odometer to make it appear less used and increase its market value.

Curbstoning:

Illegal flipping of used cars for profit done by unlicensed dealers.

Lowballing:

Getting rid of a faulty car far below its market value without revealing the true state of the car.

Title Washing:

Illegally removing a car’s title to hide outstanding loans, the salvage, or flood-damaged status of a vehicle to improve its value in the market.

VIN Cloning:

A scammer replacing the VIN of a stolen or salvaged vehicle with that of another vehicle with a similar make to hide its true identity.

Despite the best efforts of government agencies and the judiciary to reduce car scam incidences, they continue to be prevalent in the car market. It is, therefore, important that buyers protect themselves from the financial loss and legal tussles that being a victim of auto fraud brings. Vigilance while buying a used car is strongly advised. One should generally take the following precautions while buying a used car:

1. Proceed cautiously with deals that appear too good to be true.
2. Request and review all relevant documentation.
3. Before buying the vehicle, conduct a thorough VIN check using the Department of Motor Vehicles and reputable websites like GoodCar.
4. Always have an idea of the actual market value and features of the car you wish to buy so as to spot fraudulent prices immediately.
5. Do not buy a car without a written warranty.

How Do I Check the Status of My Vehicle's Title in Vermont?

The online platform of the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles allows access to information regarding cars registered within the state. The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System - the NMVTIS portal provides valuable information about a vehicle’s history. Interested individuals can access a vehicle’s title, most recent odometer reading, brand history, and title lienholder information. The NMVTIS provides protection against scammers, pay for a car above market price, and buy stolen or salvaged vehicles.

To check the status and vehicle title in Vermont, the NMVTIS offers links to various approved data providers where vehicle history reports from the NMVTIS can be accessed. GoodCar.com is one of those trusted third-party websites that are approved by the NMVTIS. Information is provided on some of the approved links for a small fee.

How To Register a Brand New Car in Vermont

After buying a car in Vermont, it must be titled and registered within thirty (30) days of purchase. To do this, you will need to take the following steps:

• Visit a DMV office to obtain a Vermont title for your car if it is brand new or previously titled in another state.
• Proof of insurance is required while registering a vehicle. Obtain one from a trusted insurance agent. Vermont typically requires a minimum insurance liability of $25,000.
• Conduct a safety and emission inspection on the car.
• Complete the Registration/Tax/Title Application form. Your licensed car dealer should typically fill out this form for you.
• Submit your application at the local DMV office and pay your registration fees. $76 is the basic registration fee. However, other fees may apply depending on the weight and size of the vehicle. Application and payment of fees can also be done via mail.

Over 600,000 cars are registered annually in Vermont. Out of this number, there are brand-new cars registered all across the state. To register a brand new vehicle, you must:

• provide a title to show proof of ownership
• show your state identification card to verify that you are within the legal age to buy a car.
• have your insurance information.
• provide documents that your car has passed the safety and emissions inspection.
• fill out the car’s registration application.

While you may complete the titling and registration form yourself, the DMV generally advises vehicle owners to leave this task to car dealers and insurance agents who can process bulk transactions. It typically takes 10 business days to get a permanent car registration. However, a temporary car registration is usually given at the point of registration and is valid for 10 days before the permanent one arrives. While the basic cost of registration is $76, it is important to know that other fees might apply, such as liens and certifications.

To renew a car’s registration, a vehicle owner will need the car’s VIN, driver’s license number, proof of insurance, license plate number, and proof that the car was registered previously.

Does Vermont Mandate Vehicle Inspection?

According to Vermont statutes, all vehicles operated within Vermont must pass an annual safety and emissions test. However, vehicles older than 16 years are exempt from the emissions test.

The inspection fees depend on the inspector. These inspections typically involve checking the vehicle’s exhaust system, brakes, steering, gear system, lighting devices, and emissions systems following the state's safety laws. VIN and odometer checks are also important parts of these inspections to ensure that they match the records on the state’s database.

How Do I Get a Replacement VIN in Vermont?

The Vermont DMV can issue a replacement VIN to vehicles whose VIN has been damaged, wiped off, or destroyed as a result of salvage, flood damage, or rebuilding the car. To obtain a Vermont replacement VIN, you need to do the following:

• Download and fill out an Application for Assignment of VIN/HIN (Form TA-VT-03).
• Submit the completed form at a local Vermont DMV office along with a $50 fee and collect a payment receipt.
• The Enforcement and Safety Department of the DMV will inspect the vehicle to certify that it is eligible for a VIN replacement.
• At the inspection, go along with the payment receipt, the original certificate of title, the certificate, and the application form.

You should get a new Vermont VIN once the vehicle has been inspected and deemed eligible for a VIN replacement.

Does Vermont Require a VIN Inspection for Out-of-State Vehicles?

Vermont requires VIN inspections for out-of-state vehicles. This is an important part of the registration process. The VIN is verified to ensure that the car’s VIN matches the one on the provided documentation, in keeping with Vermont's regulatory standards.