Title searches are a common way to find out the history of ownership of any private asset, be it a vehicle, house, or piece of land. This important documentation reveals a lot of facts about the asset, including regular maintenance, repairs, major accidents, etc. In the country, vehicular title search tools look through thousands of public and third-party databases to provide useful and updated information with just a few clicks.
Title search process
Performing a title search is a rather straightforward task. It can give one insight into the vehicle’s history, including accident history, title changes, ownership history, vehicle recalls, any history of tampering or airbag deployment, lien information, flood damage, repair records, and more details.
1. Find the VIN
To perform a title search, one needs to start by looking for the VIN (vehicle identification number). The VIN is a 17-digit alpha-numeric code that offers information such as world manufacturer identifier (WMI), vehicle description, vehicle identifier, check digit, model year, plant code, manufacturer identity, and sequential number. The VIN can be found inside the car on a small inscribed metal plate on the driver’s side dash or near the door latch. It can also be retrieved from documents such as the vehicle title, owner’s manual, registration card, or insurance documents.
2. Use an online title search tool
After locating the VIN, it’s time to perform the title search. To do so, simply visit the government’s car title search website or a verified third-party car title website. These websites maintain a complete database that is rather easy to access. However, it is important to note that some of these may be restricted by the state. A little warning here—one should ensure that the website is safe and secure (as this search may require putting in some sensitive/personal information) to reduce the risk of getting scammed.
Once the information has been entered correctly, the website will generate a personal report. Unlike the DMV, this online report generation will only take a few minutes at most, making it one of the most handy tools for conducting a vehicular title search.
3. Conduct a title search offline
Those who aren’t keen on conducting online searches can request a title search from the DMV by completing and mailing or bringing in Form DSMV 505 (Request for Motor Vehicle Records) along with a $20 fee and a Certificate of Authority.
