Motorcycle VIN check and lookup
Buying a used motorcycle? Search its VIN for title brands, accidents and mileage before you pay.
Theft first
Motorcycles are stolen far more often than cars: check theft records before anything else.
Frame and engine numbers
The VIN is stamped on the steering head; the engine number is separate. Both must match the papers.
Crash damage
A bent frame or forks after a crash can be hidden by new fairings. Look for damage records.
Motorcycle VINs: what is different
Where the VIN is
Stamped on the steering neck (the frame tube that holds the forks) and often repeated on a label on the frame. Turn the handlebars to read it.
Model year
Motorcycles built for North America since 1981 have a 17-character VIN with the model year in the 10th character, like cars.
Engine number
The crankcase carries its own engine number. It is not the VIN, but a swapped or ground-off engine number is a warning sign.
Motorcycle manufacturer codes (first three characters)
Free official checks
Links to the official services; each opens in a new tab.
Salvage and flood titles explained · What the free VIN checks show