Georgia VIN Check

Vehicle History

A vehicle's records detail significant aspects that inform buyers on how it will operate in the near or long term. If it has been maintained well and not involved in collisions, the chances are that it will serve the new owner for longer. Hence, vehicle history serves as due diligence before purchasing a vehicle, as one can view owner history, accident history, flood damage, or any title issues. It may also provide the purchasing party a bargaining chip when negotiating the price of a vehicle of interest.

Title Verification

Title verification is a significant part of the bargaining process when purchasing a vehicle. A Georgia VIN check from GoodCar details useful title data. The Title Records section displays each time the vehicle was issued another title, including the date, recorded mileage and state of issuance. The Problem Checks section details any title brands, indicating things like salvage, classic, or antique titles. It looks for fire or flood damage, odometer issues, and many other significant defects. The data within a GoodCar Georgia VIN report is incredibly useful for negotiating a vehicle's final purchase price.

Accident History

Searches on the vehicle's accident history would demonstrate if it were involved in a collision. This would be viewed via the Accidents section of the GoodCar report. If the vehicle was involved in an accident, the accident's date and supporting notes will be included in the report. An accident report is useful, considering Georgia is ranked fifth in the prevalence of auto accidents due to accident-prone drivers. Allegedly, more than 10 percent of the driving population have an at-fault accident on their record. It would be advisable then to check if the vehicle has been in an accident and compare it to the claims of the seller.

Mileage Verification

Mileage verification is crucial for vehicle owners and potential buyers as it provides accountability for the odometer reading. Odometer fraud may be criminal, but it is also common among used car dealers in Georgia. Prospective buyers would be advised to view the Mileage section of a GoodCar VIN report for the last recorded mileage number, and the Problem Checks segment for a look at possible issues, including odometer tampering, odometer inaccuracies, or odometer replacement.

Accurate Vehicle Specifications

Only buyers in Georgia who know all the vehicle's features and other important specifications can accurately negotiate the final purchase price of a vehicle. Unfortunately, many sellers lie about vehicle features. When a buyer has access to a Georgia VIN report, it's easy to see all the relevant features a vehicle has. The GoodCar report displays all these features neatly in the Auto Specs section, listing safety and entertainment features, warranty information, fuel economy values, and much more.

Georgia Emissions Standards Compliance

In Georgia, vehicles from 1999 to 2020 are required to be emissions tested. That is for gas-powered passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks that are 8,500 pounds or lower. However, 25 years or older models do not have to be tested. A VIN report provides accurate vehicle year and model information, making it clear if emissions tests are required. However, motorcycles, diesel, and recreational vehicles do not require emissions testing to be registered in Georgia. Georgia Clean Air Force, though, recommends that one's vehicle be inspected four to six weeks before the renewal of registration. The vehicles can also be tested in advance if the vehicle's owner is not around at the time of registration. To answer the question of whether the state accepts out-of-state emissions tests, the answer is no. The inspection certificate is not transferable, but it proves the vehicle is out of state.

Recalls and Safety Standards

Most vehicle models sold eventually develop one or more serious problems that must be repaired. If the issue is widespread, an NHTSA recall is issued for it, and the problem must be fixed by the manufacturer. When a buyer purchases a vehicle, it's important to know about any recalls on it, because that makes it easy to identify potential problems, and to look at how a vehicle was cared for. If the recalls haven't been resolved, the vehicle has likely been neglected. A Georgia VIN check report from GoodCar shows any recalls in the NHTSA Recalls section. Use it to see all available recalls and details about the problem and its solution.

Safety features help determine how safe a vehicle is to use. Many buyers want a vehicle with modern safety features like side curtain airbags, blind spot warning systems, and more. It's easy to determine what safety features a vehicle has with the GoodCar VIN report. View the Auto Specs section of the report for a detailed list of the standard and optional safety features that come with the specific vehicle.

Theft Check

Georgia ranks among the top 10 in vehicle theft cases, with 17,985 occurring in 2021. It speaks to the propensity for auto theft and the possibility of purchasing a vehicle that is recorded as previously stolen. It is illegal to possess stolen goods in the state. Offenders are charged with misdemeanors if the item's value is less than $1,500, but since motor vehicles are typically more expensive, it could result in a felony, which means a sentence of one to five years in prison. To avoid these legal problems, customers can navigate to Problem Checks in a GoodCar report and view the title brands related to theft.

Rental Cars and Taxis

Many used vehicles sold in Georgia were first used as rental cars or taxis. These cars often have higher-than-average mileage numbers, an increased number of dents and dings, and a lower average resale value. Using a Georgia VIN check allows a buyer to see if a vehicle was used as a rental car or a taxi in the past. In a GoodCar report, this information is available in the Problem Checks section. With this additional data, a buyer can negotiate for a lower price, or avoid buying vehicles that served as rental vehicles or taxis entirely.

Natural Disaster-Related Reasons

Georgia is humid and experiences hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding occasionally. That said, vehicles that have operated in the state for years are prone to saltwater or flood damage. Fortunately, the Problem Checks section provides interested parties a look into the vehicles and whether they have been damaged by floods, saltwater, hail, and more. The information may also give the customers negotiating leverage regarding the final price of the vehicle.

The Title Transfer Process

The title transfer process in Georgia is done in person, where one visits the county tag office with relevant documentation. One begins by filling out the MV-1 Motor Vehicle Title Application before visiting the tag office. They must also carry the inspection certificate, liability insurance, and payment for all fees due. If the vehicle is financed, the applicant has to enter the lienholder or security holder's name and address. All recorded liens against the previous owner must also be released on the title. The title fee is $18, while the license plate costs $20. Applicants have 30 days from the purchasing date to register and get a license plate.

Georgia Insurance and Registration Requirements

In Georgia, one must provide proof of insurance before operating any vehicle on public roads. The insurance should have $25,000 in bodily injury coverage for each person, $50,000 for bodily coverage for every accident, and $25,000 for property damage for each collision. The liability coverage does not account for the vehicle owner's injuries or property damage if they are found at fault for the accident.

The Georgia Department of Revenue maintains that driving without auto insurance in the state is a misdemeanor-level offense. One may be fined between $200 and $1000 or up to 12 months in jail. The state may also suspend or revoke vehicle registration and refuse to reinstate it if it continues to be uninsured, has resolved coverage, or fines. To register a vehicle, new residents must do so no more than 30 days after moving to the state. Residents who bought it from another person must register it within seven days. One is required to provide the title and tag application, emissions inspection certificate, proof of identification, proof of insurance, and payment for all relevant fees.

Georgia Titling Requirements and Sales Tax

In Georgia, title applicants must provide proof of ownership, which is the vehicle title from the seller, Georgia driver's license, and Form T-22B Certification of Inspection if the vehicle was transferred from a non-title country. The applicant also must provide proof of insurance. Though the state does not charge sales taxation for new or used vehicles, there is a 6.6% title ad valorem tax.

Georgia-Assigned VINs

VINs are provided by the vehicle manufacturer and are specific to each model. The state government does not have a mechanism for assigning vehicle identification numbers, though.