How to Check The Status of Car Title
The title status of the car is an important document to check before deciding to buy it. It includes a lot of information about the vehicle and helps you determine the current owner and the extent of damage it had, but how to check the status of car title before purchasing? This post includes all information you need to know.
The Title or Lien Status of Cars
The Title or Lien status of a vehicle is a vital document containing a lot of information about the car. It helps you to know the current owner and the damage it had. Car title allows for easy value determination and ensures a car with a wrong title is not overpriced. These cars often are registered under false labels, and it is considered fraudulent behavior. A simple title check helps you to get all the needed information. You should look up salvage or rebuilt titles if you do not want to buy a car like that. This article discusses how to check your car title or lien status through the DMV and a few other methods to check your title status, so let’s dive into it.
How to Check the Status of Car Title
Now you may wonder how to check the status of car title before purchasing? There is an easy way to check the car title through the DMV, and there are other methods as well.
Checking the DMV
The DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) is the governing authority for cars on the road. It provides several different services to better the lives of drivers and enforces laws on road safety as well. One Department of Motor Vehicles service provides a platform available to everyone for checking the car’s title or lien status. You can do it by going to the office or even online. So what does the title or lien status mean to you?
It provides you different information on the intended vehicle. One of the things it shows on the report is the DMV title issue date. Another thing is how many liens were issued to the vehicle if any were issued at all. And it says to you the name and address of the lienholder. However, it will not show the car owner’s details. Keep in mind that DMV does not provide any online check for boat title status or lien checks.
To do DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) checking, you should provide these requirements:
- the Vehicle Identification Number or VIN,
- the model of the car
- the make of the model.
- You can find this information on the registration papers in your car.
The critical thing to remember is that it may take the DMV 90 days to reply. If it exceeds this time, then you can ask again.
How to List a Lien?
So what if you needed to list a Lien? How do you record a lien in the title status? The DMV lets to do that as well. You can ask to list a lien through your dealer or the local Department of Motor Vehicles office.
There is a small fee for listing lien status, but it’s not that significant. If you did record a lien and still did not see the update in the title you requested, you need to contact the DMV with an MV-910, also known as the customer lien inquiry form.
You should fill the form and email it to the address in the document. You need to provide the contact information. If you are from a lending company, you also need to give the lien filing code. The form asks for some information you need to fill up accurately.
After that, could you save a copy and then send it to the DMV? Remember that it is only for a status check on the title and not any other information. You get no reply if you ask about something else.
The Other Available Options
Other than the DMV that you have to wait about 90 days, there is a faster option. The other option is to do it through a third-party service provider who specializes in this service. For that, you need to find the VIN of your car on the body and frame of the vehicle. You also can search for it in the owner’s manual, registration papers, or even the insurance paper. Then you should take up the service of a company that provides MVRs or vehicle history reports. It is a paid service that including all the information you need for a car. From title status to brand records and even vehicle registration history, it’s easy to check the title status by Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) because of companies like AutopartsZ and AutoCheck.
These apps serve multiple purposes with competitive prices for the vehicle history report. They offer data with a commitment to quality and at a cost-effective rate. So when you get the report, you should examine the car’s salvage or rebuilt status, and hopefully, it helps you make your decision.
Conclusion
A document essential for checking before purchasing a car is the title status. This document includes information about the vehicle and helps you determine the current owner and the extent of damage it had. If you are here to know how to check the status of car title before purchasing, this post is for you.