Washington VIN Check & Lookup

If you are thinking of getting a used vehicle, then a Washington VIN check is what you need to do that worry-free. This check is the ideal way to avoid scams, get information on the vehicle’s history, and even get accurate odometer readings to gauge the car’s worth.

The vehicle identification number (VIN) is a unique code with 17 digits. With this code, you can run a VIN check through third-party services like FAXVIN or NMVTIS-authorized providers, which include data from Washington state databases.

Besides running VIN checks for cars, you can do the same for bikes, trailers, trucks, and other types of vehicles. Conducting a VIN check is simple, but you can also access some basic information with our free Washington license plate lookup.

Washington VIN History

Before running a VIN lookup WA, you need to get the valid vehicle identification number first. The insurance card of the used car in Washington is one of the first places to get the vehicle's VIN, but you can also check the windshield (driver’s side), the engine block, and the driver’s door jamb.

With the VIN, you can easily run checks through the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL). Washington State Patrol (WSP) can also do vehicle identification number checks for specific purposes but does not provide public VIN lookup services.

For a less complex process and quicker results, you can try authorized third parties like FAXVIN. At FAXVIN, our VIN checks are available for free, but we also provide more detailed reports for the paid search.

Comparing Free and Paid Search

Our free Washington VIN search matches the vehicle's VIN in Washington with official databases to pull information about the car in question. The information you’ll get with the free Washington VIN check report includes basic details like type of car, year, and model. A more comprehensive report (paid) is available, and that includes details like:

• Maintenance records;
• Accident reports;
• Theft records;
• Vehicle’s title status (title information);
• Odometer disclosure statement.

WA DMV VIN Check

One of the official sources we use at FAXVIN is the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). For Washington, this department is known as the Washington State Department of Licensing (WSDOL). It is the recognized agency handling vehicle registration and licensing in the state.

The Washington DOL registers motor vehicles and maintains records. As such, you can request some information, similar to running a FAXVIN Washington VIN lookup. To request information about a vehicle, submit a Vehicle/Vessel Record Request (Form TD-420-531) to the state’s DOL either in person or via mail.

Verify Title Status in Washington

A vehicle title status is a document that establishes ownership and may include title brands indicating the car's condition, such as salvage or rebuilt. The various titles you should expect after a VIN inspection include clean, clear, salvage, and rebuilt.

While most vehicles come as clean, you may occasionally run into those with salvage records. If you see a salvage title on a car, it means that the vehicle has suffered significant damage, and the insurance company deems it too expensive for repair.

However, if a vehicle was deemed “lemon”, you won’t see that during a title check. Lemon vehicles are usually identified through their repair history and branding, often under manufacturer recalls.

A lemon designation is used for vehicles with excessive mechanical failures (often from the same part) that make them unsafe to drive. These failures come from manufacturing defects, and most times such vehicles get recalled. If you see manufacturer recall information on the report, you may be dealing with a lemon vehicle. In that case, explore the Washington Lemon Law information to learn more.

Salvage and lemon vehicles may not have any visible issues during the initial inspection. The best way to recognize and avoid such vehicles during your car purchase is to get a title search. This search will give you a detailed vehicle history report that compiles data from various credible databases, like repair facilities, auction houses, and others.

Title Number Search

The title number is a unique identifier for the title document, found on the title certificate. This is often an 8-digit combination that serves as a reference to the actual car document. To find it, all you have to do is look it up in the title document. We recommend this check for all potential car buyers before moving on to the title transfer.

Vehicle Registration Lookup

Our Washington VIN check will give you details on a vehicle’s registration in under a minute. To use it, follow the steps below:

1. Go to the WA VIN check section on this page.
2. Enter the vehicle's VIN number.
3. Tap the “Check VIN” button.
4. You’ll receive a free basic VIN report that includes details of the vehicle identification number, the transmission, the style/body, age, trim, etc. For a paid full report, click “Full Report”.

The Benefits of Conducting a Washington VIN Check

One of the benefits that our Washington VIN check gives is the title information of the vehicle in Washington and even the vehicle history in other states. With that information, you can access the legitimacy of the sale, which is crucial to avoid getting scammed. Other benefits of conducting VIN inspections include the following:

• You’ll have information you can leverage during price negotiations. For example, you can use the miles from the odometer readings to gauge a vehicle’s worth in Washington State.
• Get information on any recalls, outstanding safety issues, and other vehicle history reports.
• Help avoid a stolen vehicle or active car theft police cases.
• Help avoid odometer fraud.

Why Conduct a WA VIN Lookup?

The Washington VIN lookup comes in handy when buying a used car. That is because a proper Washington VIN search, even for a vehicle purchased out of state, compiles all databases into one report.

Our Washington VIN check service will give you the vehicle history report, including the title status. It is a valuable tool that goes beyond just revealing the current vehicle details — it also digs into the vehicle’s background. That way, you can be sure of getting duly registered vehicles from law-abiding Washington residents.

Another reason is to avoid excessive spending after purchasing the pre-owned vehicle. Some vehicles may have hidden mechanical faults, which may end up costing you even more than the vehicle’s worth.

Our Data Providers

Our data sources include the following:

• National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS);
• Washington State Auto Dealers Association (WSADA);
• Auto auctions;
• Insurance companies;
• Car dealerships;
• Car manufacturers;
• The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT);
• Collision repair facilities.

You can also use our check service to see if a car has outstanding liens or loans. In addition to that, you should check out the Washington Attorney General’s Office - Consumer Protection when buying a used car.

How to do a VIN Check in Washington

The process of doing a VIN check in Washington is straightforward. Simply go to the VIN check Washington section on this page. Enter the VIN and proceed. We will provide you with all the necessary details about the vehicle.

If you want to run the Washington VIN check on the DOL’s platform, then you’ll have to submit a public disclosure request.

Closing Remarks

Our Washington VIN check online service is available for free. It’ll provide you with the basic information about a vehicle if you want to buy one from the used car market. Nevertheless, you can opt for a more comprehensive report with our paid service.

Additional Resources for Drivers

• Washington VIN inspections
• Buying and selling vehicle
• Washington Auto Insurance Guide
• State Department of Transportation - Toll Roads
• WA State Department of Ecology - Vehicle Emissions Testing