VINifyCheck
Car Title Check by VIN: How to Spot Salvage and Rebuilt Titles
A car title is a legal document that proves ownership of a vehicle. Title brands are permanent labels applied to titles that indicate the vehicle has been damaged or had problems. Running a car title check by VIN is the only way to know a vehicle true status before buying. Many used car buyers skip this crucial step, only to discover later that their new purchase has a branded title that significantly reduces its value.
What Is Title Washing and How Does It Happen?
Title washing is a fraudulent practice where a vehicle branded title is hidden by moving the vehicle across state lines. Each state has its own title regulations and some states do not carry forward title brands from other states. A vehicle declared a total loss in New York might be shipped to a state with looser title requirements, where it can be issued a clean title with no record of its damaged history. NMVTIS was created specifically to combat title washing by creating a centralized database that all states can access. However, title washing still occurs when states fail to report data promptly or when fraudsters exploit gaps in the system. This is why running a VINifyCheck report that pulls from NMVTIS data is so important.
Common Title Brands Explained
| Brand | Meaning | Value Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Clean | No reported damage | Full market value |
| Salvage | Declared total loss by insurer | 50-70% reduction |
| Rebuilt | Repaired salvage vehicle | 20-40% reduction |
| Flood | Water damage history | 40-60% reduction |
| Lemon | Manufacturer buyback | 30-50% reduction |
| Junk | Only parts value remains | 90%+ reduction |
| Theft Recovery | Stolen and recovered | 10-25% reduction |
| Hail Damage | Severe weather damage | 15-30% reduction |
How a VIN Check Reveals Title Brands
When you run a VIN check through VINifyCheck, the report queries NMVTIS which aggregates title data from state DMVs nationwide. The process works by sending the VIN to the NMVTIS database, which returns any title brands associated with that VIN from any state. This means a salvage brand applied in California will be visible even if the vehicle is now being sold in Arizona with a clean paper title. The VINifyCheck report presents this information clearly, showing you the title brand history of the vehicle.
How Branded Titles Affect Value
A branded title can reduce a vehicle value by 20 to 50 percent or more compared to a clean title equivalent. Salvage and flood titles also make it difficult to obtain financing or full insurance coverage. Most traditional lenders will not finance a vehicle with a salvage or rebuilt title. Some insurance companies will only offer liability coverage on rebuilt vehicles, refusing collision and comprehensive coverage. This can leave you financially vulnerable if the vehicle is damaged in an accident.
Insurance and Financing with a Branded Title
Getting insurance for a branded title vehicle can be challenging. Major insurers like Geico, Progressive, and State Farm have different policies regarding branded titles. Some will insure rebuilt vehicles but only with liability coverage. Others may refuse coverage entirely. Financing is equally difficult. Banks and credit unions typically require clean titles for auto loans. If you need to finance a branded title vehicle, you may need to seek specialized lenders who charge higher interest rates.
Why You Should Always Do a Title Check
Never buy a used car without first running a car title check by VIN. VINifyCheck makes it affordable at just $9.99 for a complete report that includes NMVTIS title brand data from all 50 states.