North Carolina VIN Lookup

A VIN lookup helps to summarize the entire history of a preowned vehicle, which is typically crucial when purchasing a used car in North Carolina. Generally, purchasing a used vehicle comes with some risks. While consumers who buy used cars in some states are protected by lemon laws, North Carolina’s Lemon Law does not apply to pre-owned vehicles. It therefore becomes essential for anyone purchasing a used car in the state to conduct a comprehensive VIN check to avoid buying a defective vehicle.

A typical used car in North Carolina retails for an average of $34,725. Considering this and the huge number of used car dealers across the state (1,228), prospective pre-owned vehicle buyers must make extra efforts to confirm such vehicles are in good condition before dealing. One good way to do that is to perform a VIN lookup, which generally reveals important information about a vehicle’s history, including accident records, maintenance records, and theft records.

Why Performing a North Carolina VIN Check Is Important

Performing a North Carolina VIN check is crucial, as it typically reveals the overall status of a vehicle, particularly for people who are considering purchasing pre-owned vehicles. Besides, looking at the state’s motor vehicle theft rate of about 261.8 per 100,000 residents and auto fraud rate of 244.9 per 100,000 population, conducting a VIN check on a used car is essential to avoid buying a stolen vehicle or becoming a victim of vehicle fraud.

The following are other important reasons you should consider performing a VIN check in North Carolina, especially before concluding a pre-owned vehicle purchase:

• To Verify a Vehicle’s Actual Mileage - While odometer rollback is illegal in North Carolina, it is common practice for dishonest used car dealers in the state to roll back a vehicle’s mileage. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), odometer rollback costs American vehicle buyers over $1 billion every year, as an estimated 450,000 used cars with altered mileage are sold annually.

An odometer rollback is typically an auto fraud in which preowned vehicles’ mileage is altered and is usually targeted at ripping off prospective preowned vehicle users. However, a VIN check can save a used car buyer from falling victim to this scheme, as it will reveal the actual mileage of any vehicle.

• To Determine if a Used Car Has Been Involved in an Accident - With a VIN check, you can find out if the vehicle you plan to purchase has been in an accident. A comprehensive vehicle history report obtained from a VIN lookup will reveal the details of any accident, major or minor, and the severity of the accident. Generally, an accident can decrease a car’s resale value and safety.

• To Understand a Used Vehicle Ownership History - A VIN lookup can reveal how many people have used a vehicle in the past, which may help to determine the car’s reliability. Typically, a vehicle that has only been used by one person is perceived as better maintained than one that has had multiple users.

• To Verify the Status of a Preowned Vehicle Registration - Per G.S. 20-111, it is illegal for anyone to operate an unregistered vehicle in North Carolina or to register a vehicle with a false or fictitious name or address. The violation of any of the state’s vehicle registration provisions is a misdemeanor. With a VIN check, you can uncover the details of a used vehicle registration or if the registration has expired. The penalty for driving a vehicle with an expired registration in North Carolina ranges from $15 to $25.

• To Uncover Title Issues - A VIN lookup can disclose if a vehicle has been rebuilt, has a salvage title, or has been flooded, which will typically help you make an informed decision when trying to purchase a used car in North Carolina.

How To Perform a North Carolina VIN Check

The following agencies provide resources and means of conducting a North Carolina VIN check:

The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV):

Anyone may obtain records of vehicles registered in North Carolina from the state’s DMV in person or by mail. It costs $1.25 to obtain vehicle registration information, while the cost for the complete history of a vehicle, including title paperwork and previous owners’ information, is $16.75.

To order a vehicle record in person, complete the Request for Motor Vehicle Information Form (MVR-605A) and submit it with the appropriate payment to the DMV at:

Raleigh Central Services (Vehicle Registration)
4121 New Bern Ave.
Raleigh, NC 27616

To order a vehicle record by mail, submit the completed MVR-605A Form to the address listed on the form.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB):

The NICB’s free VINCheck allows anyone to conduct a North Carolina VIN check to determine if a vehicle has been reported as salvage by participating NICB members. The report will also indicate if a vehicle has a history of an insurance theft claim. To use this service, enter the vehicle’s VIN and click the “Search VIN” tab.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

You can perform a North Carolina VIN lookup using the NHTSA’s VIN Decoder. The VIN Decoder primarily provides information about a car’s manufacturing plant and some safety information. You can use the full or partial VIN for the search.

Free vs. Paid VIN Check Services in North Carolina

Most government-run VIN lookup services and those offered by some non-profits are usually free services. Unfortunately, these free VIN check services only provide basic information about the vehicles being searched, which may not include the information required to make certain decisions. For instance, vehicle reports obtained from a free VIN check service may not be enough to make an informed decision when purchasing a preowned vehicle in North Carolina.

On the other hand, VIN lookups conducted through paid VIN check services like GoodCar, AutoCheck, CarFax, and Carmart provide comprehensive vehicle history reports. However, it takes a small fee to be able to access such detailed reports. The information included in a typical vehicle history report obtained from a paid VIN service includes the following:

• Title history
• Odometer readings
• Maintenance/service records
• Recall history (and outstanding recalls)
• Accident history
• Sales history
• Flood damage reports
• Vehicle specifications
• Market value
• Major repairs
• Title brands
• Ownership history
• Vehicle registration status, and much more!

What Used Car Scams Are Common in North Carolina?

There are several fraudulent used-vehicle activities across the state. Recently, 12 former employees of North Carolina-licensed franchise dealer Nissan of Shelby faced over 400 salvage vehicle charges. According to the state’s Division of Motor Vehicles Licenses and Theft Bureau, these charges included the employees’ failure to inspect vehicles before putting them on sale, failure to deliver titles, and improper use of marketers. Others are making false statements about the date of sale and failure to disclose damage to used vehicle buyers.

Potential pre-owned vehicle buyers in North Carolina should be cautious not to fall victim to the following used car scams in the state:

Title Washing:

This is when a vehicle truck identity is masked, either by getting false documents or skipping the car owner who did not sign the title in a bid to make a fraudulent title appear clean.

Curbstoning:

This scam scheme is perpetrated by individuals who buy unfit vehicles without licenses, permits, or customer protection at auction to resell to unsuspecting used car shoppers while claiming such cars are their own personal vehicles.

Cloning:

This involves hiding the identity of a salvaged or stolen vehicle by replacing its VIN with that of a legally registered vehicle.

Odometer Fraud:

A vehicle’s mileage is adjusted to make the car appear like it has gone fewer miles than it has, allowing the dealer to sell it for a higher price than the market value.

Fake Listings of Used Vehicles Online:

This involves scammers creating fake listings of preowned vehicles that do not exist on popular websites and luring potential shoppers with incredibly low prices and fraudulent vehicle finance schemes.

Used vehicle scammers in North Carolina employ various dishonest tactics to rip off car shoppers. Hence, it is important to know how to protect yourself against their scam schemes. You can avoid many of these scams by conducting a VIN check on reliable platforms like GoodCar to request a vehicle history report before purchasing a pre-owned vehicle. Also, check for signs of flood damage, like water stains in the interior, rust under the seats, or a moldy smell in the cabin.

Furthermore, shopping for a preowned vehicle from a trustworthy and licensed used car dealer can help you avoid used car scams in North Carolina. Before purchasing a vehicle listed online, ask to see the vehicle and never send a payment or wire money through any money transfer services.

How Do I Check the Status of My Vehicle's Title in North Carolina?

You can check the status of your vehicle's title in North Carolina by submitting a completed MVR-605A Form to the state’s Division of Motor Vehicles in person or by mail. If you recently bought a used vehicle or are planning to purchase one, checking the title status helps verify the accuracy of the lienholder information.

When completing the MVR-605A Form, make sure to check the box for "I request a certified copy of complete title history" or "I request a certified copy of partial title history." Additionally, you must provide a reason for requesting the title status. The cost to request a vehicle title status in North Carolina is $16.75, as it forms part of the vehicle's complete history.

How To Register a Brand New Car in North Carolina

Registering and titling a new car with the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) is legally required before putting it on the road. New residents in the state who plan to operate a vehicle must title and register their vehicles with the NCDMV within 60 days of establishing permanent residency. If a vehicle is purchased from a licensed dealer, the dealer may decide to register it on behalf of the owner by submitting the paperwork to the DMV.

Generally, the process of registering and titling a new vehicle in North Carolina starts with gathering all the required documents, which may differ, depending on the vehicle type and the situation. Any person titling a vehicle in the state must have a valid North Carolina driver’s license or ID, but some exceptions exist for non-North Carolina residents. Non-N.C residents must, in addition to a driver’s license, provide one of the following:

• A student ID showing enrollment in any of the state’s universities or colleges.
• A military ID for active-duty military personnel deployed in the state.
• Registration for a motor home.
• A Non-resident’s Affidavit of Intent to Title Vehicle in North Carolina Form (MVR-614 Form). This form documents that the motor vehicle is garaged in the state for at least six months every year.

To register and title a new vehicle in North Carolina, submit the required forms and documents in person or by mail to the NCDMV at:

North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicle
Vehicle Titles/Liens, Duplicate Registration
3148 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699

What Are the Requirements for Registering a New Car in North Carolina?

North Carolina currently has over 8.4 million registered vehicles plying its roads. Each of these vehicles was registered and titled by the state’s Division of Motor Vehicles after meeting certain requirements. For a new vehicle, these requirements include the following:

• Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin
• Bill of Sale showing displaying price and trade-in vehicle and credit
• The vehicle owner’s valid North Carolina driver’s license or ID
• If the vehicle is owned by more than one individual, signatures on the required documents must be notarized and accompanied by a copy of each owner’s driver’s license or ID
• Proof of liability insurance provided by a North Carolina-licensed insurance provider
• Title Application Form (MVR-1 Form)
• Odometer Disclosure Statement Form (MVR-180 Form)
• Payment of property taxes for the vehicle being registered
• Damage Disclosure Statement Form (MVR-181 Form)
• Payment of all applicable title and registration fees

Vehicle registrations in North Carolina must be renewed annually. Typically, the state’s Division of Motor Vehicles mails a renewal notice to a vehicle owner 60 days before the current registration expires. You can renew your North Carolina vehicle registration using any of the following methods:

• At the Self-Service Kiosks
• Online using the PayIt App
• By mail to the NCDMV

In North Carolina, a vehicle’s license plate number and the last five digits of the title number are required to renew its registration online. Also, valid liability insurance must be maintained on the vehicle. Furthermore, a vehicle is expected to undergo a safety and/or emissions inspection no more than 90 days before registration/license plate expires to be able to renew its registration in North Carolina.

Does North Carolina Mandate Vehicle Inspection?

Yes, vehicle inspection is mandatory in North Carolina. However, Section 20-183.2(a1) of the state’s General Statutes outlines vehicles that are not subject to safety inspections. State law requires all new vehicles to be inspected before they are delivered to purchasers at retail. Generally, unless exempt, in North Carolina, a vehicle must pass an annual safety inspection before registration or registration renewal. For registration renewal, a vehicle must undergo inspection within 90 days of registration expiration.

If a vehicle fails to be inspected before the registration expires in North Carolina, the vehicle registration will be blocked until the inspection is completed. When conducting a safety inspection, a licensed mechanic is expected to examine a vehicle’s steering, tires, headlights, brakes, windows, and signals. Emissions inspection is typically performed at the same time as the safety inspection.

Odometer readings and VIN verifications may also form part of vehicle inspections in North Carolina. Generally, vehicles within 20 years of the current year or with over 70,000 miles in 19 counties within the state must pass emissions inspection.

How Do I Get a Replacement VIN in North Carolina?

Getting a replacement VIN for a vehicle in North Carolina can be a cumbersome process. However, you still may request a VIN replacement if the one on your car got missing, damaged, or altered due to fire damage, rust/corrosion, or accidents.

To get a new replacement for your vehicle’s VIN in North Carolina, contact the state’s nearest Division of Motor Vehicles office location. Generally, you will need to gather some paperwork required for the process, complete relevant application forms, and schedule an inspection, after which you must pay the applicable fees and submit the request.

Does North Carolina Require a VIN Inspection for Out-of-State Vehicles?

Yes. A VIN inspection is necessary when registering a motor vehicle that was previously registered out-of-state in North Carolina. This is to ensure that the vehicle complies with state law and to verify its identity.