USA VIN check and lookup
Buying a car in the US or one that was registered there? Check its VIN: accidents, mileage readings and registration records and title brands from the United States and other countries.
Where the VIN is
In the United States the VIN is printed on the certificate of title and the registration card. On the car it is at the bottom of the windshield and on the door pillar; all copies must match.
Flood cars
After hurricanes, flood-damaged cars are dried out and sold far from the storm area. Look for a flood brand, an insurance total loss and a sale soon after the storm.
Odometer disclosure
For model year 2011 and newer vehicles, the seller must state the mileage on every transfer for 20 years; compare it with the readings in the history.
Used cars and vehicle records in the United States
Title brands are issued by each state, so a car branded salvage or flood in one state can be re-titled in another with a title that looks clean ("title washing"). NMVTIS, the federal title database, collects the brands of state title agencies, insurers and salvage yards by VIN to stop that.
Official checks in the United States
Links to the official services; each opens in a new tab.