Here’s how to do a title search on a vehicle by VIN or license plate
A certificate of title is a legal document that signifies ownership of any asset, be it a car or a home. One needs this document when registering a vehicle with the state’s DMV. Individuals also require it when selling the vehicle or transferring ownership from one person to another. The certificate of title holds important information about the vehicle, including its make, model year, and unique vehicle identification number (VIN).
What is a VIN?
To conduct a title search on a vehicle, one needs its VIN. Car brands use this unique 17-digit alphanumeric code to identify individual units manufactured. Here’s all the information it holds:
Continent
The first character of the VIN indicates the country or continent in which the car was built. Numbers between 1 and 5 signify the vehicle was built in North America.
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)
The first three characters together signify which company/brand manufactured the car and the volume of cars they produced in the year. Together, these three characters make up the WMI.
Vehicle Descriptor Section
Characters 4 to 8 indicate the vehicle brand, engine size, and type, offering a brief description of the vehicle itself.
Check Digit
The next character identifies whether the manufacturer authorized the vehicle for use.