Texas VIN Check & Lookup

Are you considering buying a used car in Texas? You're not alone — Texas is one of the states with the highest annual car sales, only coming second to California.

We know how thrilling it can be to buy a car, whether it's your first or a hundredth purchase. However, before completing the paperwork or paying any money, you should research all possible details about the vehicle to ensure you're not getting a lemon.

Texas DMV Title Check

When you purchase a vehicle outright without getting financing from a bank or dealer, the seller is supposed to give you a certificate of title (COT). The COT outlines the car's identifying information, such as its model, vehicle identification number (VIN), and make. It's proof of ownership and an essential document during car registrations or resales.

So, what is a title? It is a legal document showing a vehicle's owner. Car owners usually obtain it from the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or the Department of Transportation. If you purchased the vehicle through a loan, the lender typically holds this document until you repay the loan.

Without this document, you cannot prove you legally own a car. Below are some details you find in car titles from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV):

• Car owner's name;
• Weight class;
• VIN;
• Lienholder information for financed purchases;
• Odometer reading during the sale;
• Assignment section outlining the seller and buyer's names, signatures, addresses, and the date of sale;
• Prior state;
• License plate number;
• Issue dates and past issue dates;
• State official's signature;
• Vehicle model, body type, and make;
• Car's history;
• Color;
• Use (commercial or private).

Title Status

With several unscrupulous car sellers looking for uninformed buyers to purchase their cars at inflated rates, a title status check can help you save a lot of money. Our title lookup uses a VIN tool that combines data from multiple reliable databases to give you all the essential information you require.

We work with repair facilities, auction houses, law enforcement, DMVs, and inspection facilities throughout Texas, the U.S., Canada, and beyond. The best part is that our Texas VIN lookup process is very simple:

1. Go to our TX VIN search tab;
2. Enter the car's VIN;
3. Tap the blue "Check VIN" button;
4. Receive and review a detailed report on the car in a few minutes;

Our comprehensive TX VIN check relies heavily on National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) data. NMVTIS is a database the Department of Justice established to enhance consumer protection. It holds information from all states, making it a great add-on to our search tool.

Whether you want to confirm a car's past possession in a salvage yard or junkyard, accident records or theft histories, you can get all these through our DMV title check thanks to the comprehensive NMVTIS database.

Types of car titles

Now that you understand how car titles work, here are some standard examples you should know:

Clear

A buyer gets this title if they have no lien. Simply put, it means the vehicle has no financial burden that would impede its sale. A clear title is the most desirable badge and usually qualifies the holder for car loans.

Affidavit

When car owners misplace their car's documents, they can apply for this temporary document to prove ownership.

Odometer rollback

Sometimes, car owners can illegally turn back their odometers to report less mileage than their cars have covered. Inspectors issue this title to such owners to prevent them from duping unsuspecting buyers.

Salvage

Insurance companies issue this document to cars with significant value reductions due to theft, accidents, or subsequent repairs. Note that a salvage title means a car has lost over 75% of its initial value. You cannot secure bank or dealer financing when buying such a car. However, this doesn't mean they're unroadworthy. If it can pass a safety inspection, you can drive it legally.

Bonded

This title shows that a unit has missing ownership documents, but the seller offered a security bond equal to the car's value. It is usually valid for three to five years. During this period, it safeguards the buyer from financial losses if any ownership claims arise.

Reconstructed

As the name suggests, this title is for cars that have undergone significant transformations and repairs. Car owners can get it from licensed vehicle rebuilders, collision centers, body shops, or insurance companies. Before granting this status, an inspector must assess and approve the reconstructed vehicle for regular use.

Rebuilt

This option is similar to the reconstructed title. Insurance companies, body shops, collision centers, or licensed vehicle rebuilders issue such titles to show the vehicle's approved transformations. Like with the reconstructed one, the car must undergo a safety inspection.

Dismantled

This title shows that a unit has experienced damages beyond repair. In other words, it shows that the repair cost is above the value. Car owners can get a dismantled title when they want to sell the parts.

Flood & water damage

Insurance companies issue this title to vehicles with significant damages from rainstorms or submersions in water bodies. Be careful when purchasing such vehicles. Water damage is usually detrimental to the mechanical and electronic components.

Lemon

This title shows that a vehicle has experienced the same mechanical failure multiple times. Manufacturers can issue it to vehicles with persistent problems that arise even after repair attempts.

Import title

The Department of Transportation and the National Highway Transportation Safety Authority (NHTSA) issue this badge to vehicles arriving in the U.S. for the first time. It doesn't apply to vehicles that were previously in the U.S. Note that imported vehicles must get approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and NHTSA to earn this badge.

The good news is you can access all these details in just a few clicks through our Texas VIN lookup. You only need to enter the VIN to get a report in minutes. You can perform a TX VIN check for free or purchase a more detailed report.

TX Accident check

Another essential aspect of our Texas VIN lookup is accident checks. In most cases, you may not know if a unit has had severe accidents or damages by reviewing it physically. While the vehicle might look okay superficially, it might be hiding severe damages beneath its seemingly healthy frame.

And that's where we come in — our database can help you unravel the vehicle's previous accidents that might impact its integrity, safety, or value. Whether you're a buyer or a seller, this information can help you make the right decision.

What does the accident check cover?

Our accident combines data from several repair and inspection facilities, auction houses, law enforcement, and DMVs to generate a comprehensive accident history report. Some of the details it covers include:

• The number of accidents the vehicle has been involved;
• The dates these accidents happened;
• The amount of money the owner used for repairs;
• The point of impact;
• The frequency of accidents.

Why do you need an accident check?

A comprehensive accident check can help you uncover events the seller might have intentionally kept away from you or failed to disclose because they lacked proper information. It can also help you safeguard yourself from potential liability and fraudulent compensation claims. And above all, having detailed information on the accident history can help you gauge the car’s value more accurately, enabling you to negotiate a fair price.

We frequently update our databases to ensure we have the most up-to-date information. If your search returns zero accident records, the chances are that there are none. However, this doesn't mean you should throw caution to the winds.

Similarly, the vehicle could still be reliable even if there's damage or accident history. All you need to do is to confirm that the owner repaired it properly. Such units usually have the best deals.

TX Lien check

When buying a used vehicle, confirming its lien status is crucial. A car lien is an interest the owner gives to a bank, dealer, or any other third party as collateral for a debt. For instance, if you ask a bank to finance your purchase, the bank will register a lien against your vehicle until you finish serving the loan.

Why should you perform a lien check?

When you purchase a vehicle with an active lien, the lender may transfer the burden of relaying the unpaid debt to you. That's because financial institutions usually register liens against vehicles, not owners. Failure to service the loan may lead to repossession of your vehicle.

Our VIN lookup tool can help determine if a vehicle has an active lien. If so, you should have a written agreement on the repayment terms with the seller. Beware of sellers who hide their vehicles'a liens; they might deliberately withhold other, more damning information.

What lien information can you get from our report?

When you pay for a detailed VIN report, you'll get the following lien details:

• The lender's name and address;
• The collateral classification details;
• The debt's registering agent.

Conclusion

Do not pen any agreement with a seller before confirming a vehicle's details. Ask for the vehicle's VIN during the initial stages and conduct background research. When you meet, ask a mechanic to accompany you and inspect the vehicle thoroughly.

Good luck with your search for a new ride!