Tennessee VIN Lookup

Buying used cars can be a great way to save money, as used cars are generally less expensive than new ones and have lower insurance premiums. However, pre-owned cars do come with some disadvantages, such as high maintenance costs and unknown history. Therefore, it is essential to do your homework to ensure you are getting a reliable vehicle.

As of recent data, Tennessee has a robust used car market. Ranking 15th in the country, there are around 754 used car dealerships in Tennessee, coming down to about 10.91 used car dealerships per 100,000 residents. The average price for used cars in the state is up $24,273, which is about 1.8% lower than the national average of $24,710.

Tennessee Lemon Laws primarily protect consumers who purchase new vehicles. The law covers significant defects on new cars that cannot be repaired and could negatively impact their use, value, or safety. Unfortunately, the law does not extend to used cars. Therefore, it is crucial for persons purchasing used vehicles to protect themselves from risk by conducting a VIN lookup. VIN lookups reveal important information on the car’s history from accidents, maintenance records, and title issues.

Why Performing a Tennessee VIN Check Is Important?

Every car has a unique code called a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). A VIN is a unique 17-digit (alphabet and numeric) code assigned to every vehicle that can reveal important details about the car, such as make, model, year, and when it was manufactured. A VIN check can reveal vital information about a car’s past. Here are some reasons why it is crucial to perform a Tennessee VIN check:

• Theft History: Tennessee has a car theft rate of 192 per 100,000 residents each year, implying that about 192 cars are stolen in a community of 100,000 people yearly. By performing VIN checks, you can find out if the car has ever been reported stolen, helping you avoid purchasing a vehicle with a criminal past.
• Auto Fraud Prevention: Auto fraud happens when someone tries to sell a car under false or manipulated information. Tennessee's annual rate of auto fraud is estimated to be about 1,773 incidents. Ranking 20th in the U.S., the state has 259.6 reported fraud cases per 100,000 residents. A VIN check can help spot any signs of fraud by revealing inconsistencies in the vehicle's registration or title history.
• Registration and Title Verification: Title 55 Chapter 4 Part 1 of the Tennessee Code mandates that all motor vehicles be registered before driving on the streets or highways of the state. Failure to do so attracts penalties of fines and suspended licenses. Performing VIN checks confirms the registration status of a vehicle, verifying the ownership, car title, and accurate history of the car.
• Odometer Verification: The odometer reading represents the total number of miles driven. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 450,000 vehicles are sold with tampered or false odometer readings.
• Title Brands: Conducting VIN checks can reveal major issues with the car. Brand titles are special designations added to a vehicle’s title to indicate adverse issues with the car's history. These brand titles include salvage, rebuilt, flood damage, lemon, or junk.
• Title Issues: Title issues refer to the problems with a vehicle’s ownership history, including liens on the vehicle, outstanding loans, ownership discrepancies, odometer rollbacks, and stolen vehicles. A VIN check helps detect these problems by pulling records from state databases.

How To Perform a Tennessee VIN Check

In Tennessee, several resources allow you to perform thorough VIN checks. They include:

• Tennessee Department of Revenue: The Vehicle Service Division of the Tennessee Department of Revenue permits users to search for vehicles registered in the state using their VIN. The platform, Motor Vehicle Data Services, permits VIN or license plate checks and offers basic information about the title, registration history, and any outstanding fees or issues with the car.
• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): The NHTSA provides a free VIN lookup tool through its VIN Decoder. The tool offers information on a vehicle’s make, model, and year of manufacture. It also includes information on safety recalls, manufacturer specifications, and compliance with federal safety standards.
• The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB): The NICB offers a free VIN check Lookup service that helps users determine if a vehicle has been reported as stolen or has a salvage history. It also includes information on the general history of the car, especially issues relating to auto fraud.

Free vs. Paid VIN Check Services in Tennessee

In Tennessee, there are two major options for checking a VIN - free services provided by the government and nonprofit agencies and paid services offered by third-party companies. While the free resources are a great starting point for conducting VIN checks, these platforms offer limited details and may not provide a clear picture of a car’s history. Therefore, if you want a more comprehensive look into a car’s history, it is best to use credible third-party services like Carmart, CarFax, and GoodCar. These platforms offer deeper insights into a car's past, revealing hidden issues that can save you money and stress in the long run. Typically, third-party sites offer detailed information such as:

• Vehicle specifications
• Title details
• Ownership records
• Accident history
• Odometer verification
• Registration status
• Rebuild records
• Lien information
• Recall information
• Maintenance records
• Inspection records
• Sales History
• Market value and depreciation
• NHTSA crash testing ratings and much more!

What Used Car Scams Are Common in Tennessee?

Used car buyers in Tennessee should be vigilant against common scams such as VIN cloning or odometer rollback. A recent report from Memphis reveals a man purchasing a used car only to discover he was a victim of a VIN cloning scam. The man had conducted a VIN check and bought the car. Later, he discovered a second VIN that revealed the car was stolen from a rental company, leaving him without a car and money. Used car scams in Tennessee include:

VIN Cloning:

It involves taking the VIN from a legally registered car and copying it onto a stolen or damaged vehicle.

Odometer Rollbacks:

In an odometer rollback scam, the mileage on the car is tampered with to show fewer miles than the vehicle has been driven.

Curbstoning:

Unlicensed sellers, called curbstoners, pretend to be private individuals selling their cars. They typically operate from the street or public parking lots without proper licensing or recordkeeping.

Title Washing:

This is when a scammer alters a car’s title history to hide negative information such as salvage or flood damage.

Fake Documentation Scams:

In this scam, fraudsters create fake titles, registration documents, or bills of sale to hide a car’s troubled past.

"As-is" Sale Scam:

A seller might hide or downplay serious issues like accident damage, engine problems, or flood damage, knowing that by selling "as-is", they avoid the responsibility of fixing anything.

Unfortunately, these used car scams happen regularly across the state. The buyer loses money, gets into legal troubles, and most times, loses the car. Therefore, it is essential to exercise caution when buying used cars. Generally, you may avoid these used car scams in Tennessee by taking the following precautions:

• Research the type of car, its costs, models, options, and features.
• Check the dealer's reputation online or with consumer protection agencies for complaints against the dealership.
• Have a trusted mechanic inspect the car before you buy it.
• Double-check documentation. Compare the information on the title, registration, and VIN report to see if there are discrepancies.
• Always perform a VIN check. Use trusted online resources such as GoodCar, that can reveal detailed information, such as theft records, accident history, and title issues.

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

Knowing the status of your car’s title is crucial. The title is the official document that proves you own the vehicle. It also includes information on previous ownerships and any liens on the car. Checking the status of a vehicle title can help avoid legal issues and fines in the future.

The Motor Vehicle Service Division of the Tennessee Department of Revenue, also called Tennessee DMV, offers online services for checking title status. The web tool Motor Vehicle Data Services provides information on the vehicle's previous owner, outstanding debts, title brands, and registration history.

To check the status of a vehicle’s title in Tennessee, use the vehicle's 17-digit VIN or enter the license plate number. You may also enter your details, such as your driver's license number, to verify your identity. The search generates results matching the imputed VIN or license plate number. There is a $2 fee to generate the report.

How To Register a Brand New Car in Tennessee

When you buy a brand-new car in Tennessee, state law requires its registration and titling before you can legally drive on public roads. This process proves that you own the car and allows you to get the official license plates and registration sticker. Titling is the legal document that shows who owns the car, while registration gets your car’s information recorded in the state’s system.

The Tennessee Motor Vehicle Service Division is responsible for vehicle titling. Generally, if you purchased your car from a licensed dealer, they handle the title transfer and registration paperwork on your behalf. You furnish the dealer with the necessary documents and proof of insurance. The dealer submits the forms to the Motor Vehicle Service Division.

What Are the Requirements for Registering a New Car in Tennessee?

Every year, over 6.8 million vehicles are registered in Tennessee. This high number underscores the need to duly register your new car in Tennessee. Whether working with a dealer or handling the paperwork yourself, you will need to gather the following documents to title or register your vehicle:

• Application for Title form or Application for Registration form (obtainable at the local county clerk’s office)
• Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MCO)
• Auto insurance
• Proof of identity and proof of residence
• Bill of sale of purchase contract
• Copy of current registration if transferring the license plates

While the Tennessee Motor Vehicle Service Division Is responsible for titling vehicles, registering your vehicle may be done at your local county clerk’s office. The fees vary depending on the vehicle type and local county charges. The title fee is usually around $95; it includes the license plate fee. The base registration fee is $29. There is a city registration fee of $30. Tennessee has an annual EV charge of $100. In addition, there is a wheel tax that varies by county. It costs $14 for a duplicate title and $11 for the Noting of lien. Registration of new cars is renewable every two years. Renewal fees vary, typically between $81 to $116 depending on the county.

Does Tennessee Mandate Vehicle Inspection?

Unlike some states that mandate yearly safety checks and emissions testing, Tennessee does not have a statewide program that requires vehicles to be inspected annually. However, per Tennessee Code 55-1-101, certain counties mandate annual emission testing before vehicle registration. Consequently, Davidson, Hamilton, Rutherford, Summer, Williamson, and Wilson Counties require annual emission testing before vehicle registration.

Even though routine inspections are not mandated, certain situations in Tennessee might require your vehicle to be inspected. The Tennessee Motor Vehicle Division may require VIN and odometer verification to ensure the vehicle's history is clean. Furthermore, cars rebuilt after a total loss or have salvage titles might be subject to inspection. In addition, discrepancies in the vehicle's paperwork, such as mismatched VIN, may require an inspection to resolve the issue.

How Do I Get a Replacement VIN in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, there are several reasons why you need a replacement VIN, including:

• Damaged or Missing VIN: The VIN tag or plate might be rusted, scraped off, or unreadable
• Altered VIN: If the VIN has been tampered with -either accidentally during repairs or deliberately to hide a car’s history, you will need a new VIN.
• Homemade Vehicles: Cars built from scratch or significantly modified may not have a standard manufacturer-assigned VIN.
• Rebuilt from Salvage: When a car is rebuilt after being declared a total loss, the original VIN might no longer be valid. A replacement may be required to ensure the vehicle's history is clear.

Per Section 55-3-116 of the Tennessee Code, the Tennessee Motor Vehicle Division can issue replacement VIN where the original VIN plate is lost, destroyed, or defaced. The following steps can guide you in getting a replacement VIN in Tennessee:

• Complete the Application for Replacement Vehicle Identification Number form.
• Provide proof of ownership of the vehicle.
• Evidence of VIN damage or alteration.
• A valid Tennessee driver’s license.
• Receipts for major parts, repair records, or detailed written statements explaining modifications (homemade or rebuilt from salvage vehicles).

Tennessee requires a physical VIN inspection to confirm that the VIN is damaged, missing, or altered. Submit the documents to the local county clerk’s office. The county clerk's office sends the completed application to the anti-theft unit of the Tennessee Motor Vehicle Division for inspection and processing.

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

In Tennessee, most out-of-state vehicles do not need to undergo VIN inspection. However, there are exceptions. VIN inspection is required for salvaged out-of-state vehicles. Such cars undergo inspections to ensure the vehicle’s VIN and overall history match the documentation provided. Additionally, out-of-state trailer units may require VIN inspection to ensure the trailer is not stolen.