Michigan License Plate Lookup

Check any Michigan license plate online and get information about the vehicle

Example: 5MN Y22 MI

A Michigan license plate lookup is a service that allows you to obtain detailed information about a vehicle using its number plate. With our free search, you can instantly tell the VIN of the car from its plates and a few vehicle attributes, such as its make, age, and engine specifications. This can be particularly useful when the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is not visible or appears fraudulent. We further provide a full Michigan license check that gives you more information about the vehicle's history, helping you ensure that it has no outstanding liens, hasn't been reported stolen, and has a clean accident record.

Getting started with our free Michigan license plate lookup tool is quite simple. You just need to enter the number plate and receive comprehensive data about the vehicle.

FAXVIN helps you make informed purchasing decisions while ensuring your personal data remains secure.

What can a License Plate Tell You?

We collect records from various sources such as DMV offices, service stations, and insurers. An individual could spend days and months looking up this data on his or her own. Luckily, we aggregate all of these data and present it in one report.

You can run two kinds of lookups on our website: free and paid checks. Free license checks reveal:

  • VIN: This 17-digit identifier never changes over the vehicle’s lifetime. It’s unique to every vehicle, which helps with tracking data about title changes, accidents, maintenance records, reported thefts, and other relevant incidences. The VIN is used by insurance companies, DMVs, auction facilities, and even for law enforcement purposes.
  • Basic vehicle attributes: Are you dealing with a genuine item? Well, our free Michigan license report matches the plate to the car’s formal description based on information in official databases.

We go an extra step to perform a check digit confirmation to authenticate the VIN. Now, a free Michigan license check will reveal limited information about the car, and we offer this information to the best of our abilities as full reports involve paid databases like NVMVTIS. You can order a full report, at your discretion.

Categories of Data in Our Full Reports - Explained

Gain peace of mind with our full Michigan license plate lookup, which provides detailed insights into a vehicle's past to help you make informed purchasing decisions:

  • Accidents History: Our reports provide detailed information on any accidents the vehicle has been involved in. This helps you assess the potential impact on the vehicle's performance and safety.
  • Recalls & Defects: Our full Michigan license plate lookup report includes information on any recalls or defects issued by the manufacturer. You can use this information to verify if the car was repaired as a significant number of recalled vehicles don’t get fixed.
  • Lien & Repossession Records: We check for any existing liens or repossession records to protect you from inheriting any unpaid debts or legal issues.
  • Theft & Recovery Records: Our Michigan license plate lookup reports reveal if the vehicle has ever been reported stolen and whether it was recovered. Insurance companies may impose higher premiums on cars with a prior theft history due to the higher risk assessment.
  • Damage from Natural Disasters: We provide information on any flood, hail, or fire damage. For instance, flooded cars may have other troubles down the line and a lot of hidden damage that could blow up later on.
  • Mileage Rollback: Our Michigan license reports detect any instances of mileage rollback, where the odometer has been tampered with to show a lower mileage. This helps you ensure the vehicle's mileage is accurate and honest.
  • Vehicle Specifications: We include more detailed specifications in the paid reports that will further help you gauge if the car meets your specifications and matches the seller's description.
  • Personal, Taxi, or Police Use: Our Michigan license plate lookup reports indicate whether the vehicle was used for personal, taxi, or police purposes. These intensive-use cases result in a lot of wear and tear.
  • Service, Inspection, and Registration History: We provide a comprehensive history of the vehicle's service, inspection, and registration records. This helps you verify that the vehicle has been properly maintained and legally registered.

Investing in a comprehensive Michigan license plate lookup is invaluable for making informed purchasing decisions. These reports provide peace of mind by revealing critical information that may not be disclosed by the seller.

Where Our Data Comes From

FAXVIN sources its comprehensive history data from a variety of reputable and authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and reliability. Here are the primary sources of our data contained in our Michigan license plate lookup:

  • U.S. Motor Vehicle Title System (NMVTIS): This is our primary source for information reported by titling agencies across the United States, including the Michigan DMV. NMVTIS provides critical data on title registrations and crash reports, ensuring that our reports reflect the most current and accurate information available.
  • Canadian Motor Vehicle Agencies: We also gather data from Canadian agencies, providing a complete history of cars that may have crossed the border.
  • Auto Auctions: Information about a Michigan license from auto auctions helps us track vehicles that have been sold at auction, including details about their condition and sale history.
  • Insurance Companies: Data from insurance companies includes records of claims, which can reveal past accidents, damage, and other significant events affecting the vehicle.
  • Salvage Auctions: Salvage auction data helps identify motor vehicles that have been declared total losses and sold for parts or repair, which is crucial for understanding a vehicle's history.
  • Collision Repair Facilities: Reports from collision repair facilities provide insights into any major repairs the vehicle has undergone, helping to assess its structural integrity and safety.
  • Car Dealerships: Michigan license information from car dealerships includes sales history and any reported issues.
  • Manufacturers: Data from manufacturers includes recalls and defects, ensuring that you are aware of any safety issues that need to be addressed.
  • Rental/Fleet Vehicle Companies: Records from rental and fleet companies provide Michigan license information on vehicles that have been used in commercial capacities, which can affect their wear and tear.
  • State Inspection Stations: Data from state inspection stations includes inspection and emissions test results, helping to verify that the vehicle meets regulatory standards.

FAXVIN is committed to providing accurate and reliable MI free license plate lookup reports. Our data sources are regularly updated to reflect the latest information available when you perform an MI license plate lookup. We also always cross-reference information from multiple sources to verify the report’s accuracy and consistency.

Who can Access Personal Records from License Plates

In Michigan, number plate lookups are regulated to ensure that personal information is not misused. Access to such information is typically restricted to law enforcement and authorized entities. The Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) further safeguards personal data by prohibiting the disclosure of information obtained from motor vehicle records without consent. Exceptions include use by government agencies, insurance companies, and for matters of motor vehicle safety.

For owner information, you may need to contact the Michigan Secretary of State's office and provide a legitimate reason as defined by the DPPA

Designs and Formats of Michigan Plates

A Michigan license number serves both functional and symbolic purposes, reflecting the state's identity and heritage. This section delves into the design and format of these plates, as well as the laws governing their issuance and the various types available.

Design & Format

Your Michigan license plate will feature a mix of letters and numbers, with the state's name prominently displayed at the top. Common slogans include "Great Lakes State" or "Pure Michigan". Over the years, the background designs have showcased elements of Michigan's natural beauty, such as the Mackinac Bridge or the Great Lakes.

Law and Types of License Plates

State law requires all motor vehicles to display a valid number plate. Michigan offers several types of plates, including standard, specialty, and personalized plates, military and veteran plates,

For instance, specialty plates support various causes, such as universities, military service, or charitable organizations such as fundraising license plates, university fundraising plates, amateur radio, and special organization plates. A personalized license plate will have your selected combination of numbers and letters.

There are also plates for commercial vehicles, trailers, and motorcycles. Each type has a specific requirements and associated fees for issuance and renewal. The Michigan Secretary of State's office regulates and distributes plates and ensures compliance with state laws and standards.

The Michigan Secretary of State's website offers an online tool to check the availability of personalized number plate combinations.

How to Use It

Number plate information can be incredibly useful when you're looking to buy a car. Here are some practical ways to use the insights you get from a free license plate lookup:

  • Mileage Reports: Checking the mileage history can help you spot any discrepancies with the current reading. This can give you a sense of how often the car has been used. Typically, cars in the U.S. average about 12,000 to 15,000 miles per year. Comparing this with the car's reported mileage can help you figure out if the usage seems reasonable and if the seller's claims hold up.
  • Confirming Ownership and Deal Safety: It's important to make sure the seller is the actual owner of the car. Michigan license plate information can reveal the ownership history and highlight any potential red flags. If the seller is hiding details, it might indicate bigger issues. Look for inconsistencies in the records to ensure you're dealing with an honest seller and that the transaction is safe.
  • Getting the Best Possible Deal, Avoiding a Rip-Off: Information on previous accidents, maintenance records, recall history, and details like engine size or make can help you avoid overpaying for a car. This Michigan license data gives you a complete picture of the vehicle's condition and history, allowing you to negotiate a fair price and avoid any unpleasant surprises.

License Plate Search Michigan Specs

Our Michigan license plate search can tell you a lot about a vehicle owner due to the special codes used in the state.

Dealer vehicles usually have numbers with two digits, the letter D, and three more digits (55D555). A number like 555M555 will indicate a car belonging to a vehicle manufacturer while the same style number with G (555G555) indicates in-transit vehicles (watch out for these). Trucks, cars, and buses belonging to the city, schools, and police typically have the format like 555X555. State government cars are signed "X55555+State Govt" or "MSG 5555". 555Y555 stands for the vehicles that belong to non-profits. Alongside these, the state also issues vanity plates featuring words and phrases upon requests.

If Michigan license plate search returns such issues as owner mismatch, liens against the vehicle, or any criminal record, do not buy the car under any conditions. If you suspect something but you cannot really check it, try searching for the full record by the VIN number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you retrieve vehicle history reports using a Michigan license plate number?
Yes, you can retrieve a vehicle history report from a Michigan license plate check. We provide access to the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which you can then use to conduct a comprehensive history search.
Is it permitted to perform a free license plate lookup in Michigan?
Yes, it is permitted. We offer a free license plate lookup service on FAXVIN.
What steps are needed to register a vehicle and secure an MI license plate?
To secure a Michigan license plate, follow these steps. If you have recently moved to Michigan, you need to visit a Secretary of State (SOS) office to register your vehicle. Bring your driver's license, proof of Michigan no-fault insurance, the vehicle's title, and payment for registration fees. Once you have submitted all necessary documents and fees, it typically takes a few weeks to receive your new number plates by mail.
Can you locate vehicle owners using their Michigan license plate number?
No, you cannot locate someone with a Michigan license plate lookup unless they provide you with access to their personal information.
Is it feasible to determine the owner of a license plate in Michigan?
No, such information is strictly protected. To access Michigan license information from the DMV, you need written permission from the owner if you are conducting an individual Michigan license search.

Michigan Secretary of State (SOS)

8158 Executive Court, Suite 30
Lansing, MI 48917
(888) 767-6424

https://www.michigan.gov/sos