Pennsylvania VIN Lookup

A VIN lookup is a good way to ensure that you avoid a problematic vehicle when purchasing a used car in Pennsylvania. The auto industry in the state has grown significantly in recent decades with over 1,100 used car dealers in the Keystone State, a 2.9% increase from last year. The average price for a used car in Pennsylvania is $23,488.

To protect car buyers, Pennsylvania enforces a lemon law. However, this law primarily covers new vehicles, with protections for used car buyers limited. While the state's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law offers some recourse if a used car dealer engages in deceptive practices, it does not guarantee a warranty for used vehicles. Hence, the responsibility falls on used car buyers to ensure they do not end up purchasing problematic cars.

To protect yourself from the risk of buying faulty vehicles, it is important to conduct a thorough check, including a lookup of the VIN. A Pennsylvania VIN lookup will reveal information such as title status, lien details, and previous accidents in the history of the vehicle.

Why Performing a Pennsylvania VIN Check Is Important?

Considering the spate of vehicle theft and auto fraud in Pennsylvania, conducting a VIN check is an important step when buying a used vehicle in the state. More than 10,000 motor vehicles are reported stolen annually in Pennsylvania. Also, according to the Pennsylvania Auto Theft Prevention Authority (ATPA), there has been a notable increase in carjackings and catalytic converter thefts in the Keystone State in recent years.

With a comprehensive VIN check, you can access detailed information about a car's registration and title history, allowing you to verify ownership. Consequently, you may detect discrepancies that may indicate a stolen vehicle. Vehicle registration and title history information can be accessed due to the state law mandating all vehicles in the state to be registered before use. Section 1301 of Title 75 of the state vehicle code requires all vehicles to be registered with the state for them to be driven or moved on public highways.

To ensure compliance with the law, the state makes it an offense and mandates penalties such as fines and potential impoundment of vehicles driven on the state's public road without registration. Additionally, attempting to register a vehicle with falsified information or engaging in insurance fraud is a serious offense. Under Pennsylvania law, insurance fraud is considered a felony of the third degree, carrying significant legal consequences.

How To Perform a Pennsylvania VIN Check

Pre-owned car buyers in Pennsylvania may use resources provided by both federal agencies and the state to perform a VIN check. These resources include:

PennDOT’s National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS):

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) participates in the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS), a national vehicle information system containing a database of vehicle titling information. To use this service, access the NMVTIS website and provide the VIN to perform a VIN lookup.

The NHTSA VIN Decoder:

The NHTSA VIN Decoder provides a lookup tool for obtaining information related to vehicle safety. To use this tool, visit the NHTSA website, enter the complete or partial VIN serial, and click on the search button. The results page will display details such as manufacturer recalls, safety ratings, engine information, vehicle model, plant and country of manufacture, and necessary repairs and fixes.

The NICB VIN Check:

The NICB VIN Check page provides a VIN check resource specifically for stolen or salvaged vehicles. To use this service, enter the complete VIN serial and submit the request. The results page will provide information such as stolen vehicle status, salvage history, and insurance fraud alerts. Note that users are limited to a maximum of five searches per IP address per day.

Free vs. Paid VIN Check Services in Pennsylvania

While government and nonprofit resources provide free VIN checks for anyone looking to perform a VIN lookup, premium third-party services offer more comprehensive reports containing deeper insights and information about a vehicle's history. Some of the free VIN check services in Pennsylvania include PennDOT's NMVTIS service, NICB, and the NHTSA VIN decoder tools. These services generally provide basic information about a vehicle's history.

For in-depth reports about a used vehicle, consider using premium third-party services such as iSeeCars, Carmart, and GoodCar. Be aware that these service providers require a fee to use their premium services. To provide rich reports on used vehicles, premium services leverage their access to multiple sources.

The information available in a premium VIN lookup includes:

• Accident and Damage History: Detailed records of past collisions, including severity and repairs.
• Title and Ownership Records: Information on past owners, title transfers, and potential issues like salvage or flood branding.
• Mileage and Odometer Readings: Helps detect odometer fraud by comparing recorded mileage across different dates.
• Lemon and Recall Status: Indicates if the car was ever classified as a lemon or has outstanding manufacturer recalls.
• Theft and Recovery Reports: Verifies whether the vehicle has ever been reported stolen and if it was recovered.
• Lien and Loan Information: Ensures the car does not have outstanding loans or financial claims attached to it.

What Used Car Scams Are Common in Pennsylvania?

A rise in the average cost of used cars in Pennsylvania has caused an increase in car scams with many dishonest sellers and car dealers often deploying various scams to defraud car buyers. Recently, a Pennsylvanian was scammed out of more than $40,000 from a Facebook page that appeared to be a car dealership. According to PSP officers in Berks County, the victim claimed to spend $44,500 on a vintage car posted on a Facebook page.

Also, Pennsylvania Attorney General, Josh Shapiro, filed a lawsuit against two Philadelphia-area dealerships, for violating the state consumer protection laws. The lawsuit contends that the dealerships engaged in the sale of vehicles to consumers that were unfit for road use, deliberately deceived consumers regarding the safety and condition of the vehicles, ran an unlicensed dealership, and conducted unauthorized sales.

Common used car-related scams in Pennsylvania include:

Odometer Rollback:

Fraudulently reducing the mileage reading on a vehicle's odometer to increase its resale value.

Title Washing:

Removing a vehicle's salvage or flood damage status by transferring its title across states with lax regulations.

Curbstoning:

Unlicensed individuals or dealers selling used vehicles, often hiding defects and avoiding consumer protection laws.

VIN Cloning:

Using a stolen or duplicated Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to disguise a stolen vehicle as legitimate.

Online Car Buying Scams and Fake Listings:

Deceptive online advertisements or fake listings intended to steal money or personal information from potential buyers.

Vehicle History Report Scams:

Providing falsified or incomplete vehicle history reports to mislead buyers about a car's true condition and history.

Some steps you may take to avoid used car scams in Pennsylvania include the following:

• Conduct your own research: Investigate the seller's reputation by examining dealer fees, reading reviews, seeking references, and verifying their credentials.
• Verify vehicle history reports: Always request a vehicle history report from reputable services such as GoodCar before finalizing the purchase.
• Obtain an independent inspection: Hire an independent mechanic to inspect the vehicle, regardless of the seller's claims. This step may reveal hidden issues or falsified ownership documents.
• Do not rush the process: Avoid rushing the process. Scammers often push for quick sales to prevent thorough due diligence. Take your time, ask questions, and be cautious of sellers eager to close the deal swiftly.
• Check the paperwork: Ensure all paperwork, including titles, registrations, and VINs, is accurate and complete before making any payments.

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

There are several reasons why you may want to check the status of your vehicle's title, including verifying lienholder information or addressing doubts about the validity of the vehicle title.

To perform this check, you will need to gather important information, such as the vehicle's tag number, title number, VIN, personal identification card, and proper authorization. Note that there is a non-refundable fee of $14 for a standard check or $44 for a certified copy of the record. This fee must be paid by check or money order made payable to the "Commonwealth of PA."

After gathering the required information and documents, complete the Request for Vehicle Information (DL-135) form. This form is available on the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation website. Submit the completed form and payment to:

Department of Transportation
Bureau of Driver Licensing
Vehicle Record Services
P.O. Box 68691
Harrisburg, PA 17106-8691

Alternatively, you can visit a local PennDOT service center for assistance in checking the status of a vehicle's title.

How To Register a Brand New Car in Pennsylvania

Titling and registration are mandatory processes for new cars in Pennsylvania. The process is handled by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).

When buying a brand-new vehicle from a licensed dealer in Pennsylvania, the dealer typically handles the titling and registration process for you. If the vehicle is not financed, a title in your name will be sent directly to you.

If you are registering and titling a 2008 or newer vehicle with less than 7,500 miles on the odometer, the vehicle must be certified by the CARB (California Air Resources Board). Also, MSO and MCO documents are required in conjunction with Form MV-1 (Application for Certificate of Title). Form MV-1 is available at PennDOT's authorized agents.

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

About 10 million cars are registered to operate on public roads in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. To register a new car in Pennsylvania, the following are required:

• Proof of Ownership: The Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO) or the vehicle's title.
• Application Form: A completed Form MV-1, "Application for Certificate of Title." This form may be obtained from a PennDOT office.
• Proof of Identification: A valid Pennsylvania driver's license, state-issued ID, or other acceptable identification requirement.
• Proof of Insurance: A copy of your current insurance identification card.
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Verification
• Payment of Applicable Fees: These include:
  • Title Fee: $67.00
  • Registration Fee: $45.00 for passenger vehicles; fees for other vehicle types vary based on weight and class.
  • Sales Tax: 6% of the vehicle's purchase price (7% for Allegheny County and 8% for the City of Philadelphia).

Vehicle registration renewals may be completed annually or biennially. The renewal process may be completed online, by mail, or in person at a PennDOT service center. For a comprehensive list of applicable renewal fees, see the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's Schedule of Fees.

Does Pennsylvania Mandate Vehicle Inspection?

Vehicle safety inspections are mandatory in Pennsylvania to ensure that vehicles are maintained for safe operation. These inspections are required annually and must be performed at official PennDOT Inspection Stations. However, while safety inspections are uniform across the state, emissions testing requirements are region-specific. You should confirm local regulations in your region to determine emission testing obligations.

For passenger cars and light trucks, items inspected include lighting and electrical systems, braking systems, steering, suspension components, speedometer, odometer, windshield washer, mirrors, glazing, defroster, wipers, horns, fuel systems, body, warning devices, exhaust systems, and chassis. A visual anti-tampering check to verify whether required emissions components have been removed or tampered with may also be done. Additionally, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is an integral part of the vehicle inspection process to confirm the vehicle's identity and status.

Be aware that the state's emissions inspections program is tailored to address specific regional air-quality issues. The requirement for emissions testing varies by region:

• Designated Counties: Certain counties, particularly in metropolitan areas, mandate emissions testing to comply with environmental standards.

• Frequency and Vehicle Criteria: The frequency of emissions inspections and the specific vehicle types subject to test depend on the county's regulations and the vehicle's model year and fuel type.

How Do I Get a Replacement VIN in Pennsylvania?

A replacement Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) may be required if the VIN issued by the manufacturer is damaged, missing, or altered. Also, a Pennsylvania-issued VIN may be required for homemade vehicles or cars rebuilt from salvage. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) oversees the issuance of new VINs to ensure vehicle legitimacy and prevent fraud.

If your vehicle is eligible for a replacement VIN, you may obtain one by following these steps:

• Complete the Application Form: Fill out Form MV-41 ("Application for Correction of Vehicle Record or Verification of Vehicle Identification Number")
• Vehicle Inspection: A certified inspection must be carried out on the vehicle by an approved person (such as a certified inspection mechanic or a notary public in the employ of a dealership) to confirm its legitimacy and ensure no fraudulent activity. If an authorized agent performs the VIN verification, they must list their name, DIN number, and signature in Section A of Form MV-1. If someone other than an authorized agent performs the VIN verification, Form MV-41 must be used. If the vehicle is homemade or reconstructed, it must be inspected at an official PennDOT inspection station.
• Submit Supporting Documents: These documents include:
  • Proof of ownership (title, bill of sale, or Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin for homemade vehicles).
  • Photos of the vehicle, especially the areas where the VIN should be located.
  • If applicable, any documentation related to repairs or reconstruction of a salvage vehicle.
• Pay the Required Fees: There is a fee for processing the application and issuing a new VIN. However, fees may vary based on vehicle type and circumstances.
• Receive and Install the New VIN: If approved, PennDOT will issue a replacement VIN plate. The new VIN must be affixed to the vehicle following PennDOT’s replacement VIN location guidelines.

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

Pennsylvania mandates a VIN inspection for out-of-state vehicles when registering them in the state. This VIN inspection process ensures the VIN printed on the vehicle matches the one listed on the title. A VIN may be inspected by:

• A certified Pennsylvania inspection station mechanic
• A notary public employed by:
  • A person to whom manufacturer or dealer registration plates have been issued under 75 Pa.C.S. §1335
  • An authorized full agent, as defined in Title 67, Chapter 43 of the Pennsylvania Code.