Louisiana VIN Check

Vehicle History

A Louisiana VIN lookup will fetch the history of any vehicle registered in the state, which is especially vital if buying a used car. It can help you make the best choice of a reliable car at a good price from any of the over 270 registered used vehicle dealers in the state. Generally, a detailed vehicle history report will provide information about its accident history, title issues, sales history, and recalls/defects.

Title Verification

Conducting a Louisiana VIN lookup on any car you intend to buy in the state will help you verify the vehicle's title and identify any discrepancies in the title information. The state has at least 4.59 million registered motor vehicles. So, If the name listed on the title does not match the result of a VIN check, you can quickly ask questions or back out from the transaction to avoid falling prey to car sale fraud.

Accident History

At least 44,000 car crashes are reported in Louisiana every year, and some of these vehicles do find their back to the market. One of the most important reasons for running a VIN check on a used vehicle is to look up its accident history. A detailed accident history report on any Louisiana-registered car will include information on the extent of damage a vehicle has sustained in the past, including structural damage.

Mileage Verification

Looking up a vehicle in Louisiana will help identify any mileage disparities before buying it, as a comprehensive history report from a VIN check will include the vehicle's mileage. While odometer rollback is considered illegal and fraudulent in Louisiana, many car sellers still engage in it to reflect a lower mileage and sell vehicles faster and at a higher price. The state’s Attorney General frowns at odometer rollback.

Recalls and Safety Standards

Vehicle safety recalls can be dangerous if ignored. In 2023 alone, Louisiana has over 100,000 cars on the ‘Do-not-drive’ recall order. This is why a Louisiana VIN check for safety recalls is vital when purchasing a used car in the state.

Theft Check

More than 7,000 motor vehicle thefts are recorded in Louisiana every year, with 7,505 car theft incidents reported in 2021 alone. A VIN lookup can prevent you from purchasing one of these cars. A VIN check will tell if a vehicle you intend to purchase from a dealership or private individual has been reported stolen.

Natural Disaster-Related Reasons

Louisiana is prone to natural disasters, including flooding and hurricanes (tropical cyclone events). Hurricanes in the state come with storm surges, creating an unusually high sea level increase and leading to severe flooding that damages several properties, including vehicles. Given Louisiana's susceptibility to hurricanes and flooding, it becomes imperative for anyone who intends to purchase a vehicle to run a VIN check to ascertain these natural disasters have not damaged it.

The Title Transfer Process

In Louisiana, a vehicle's certificate of title is required to legally transfer its ownership from one person to another. It will be impossible for you to claim vehicle ownership without completing this process. You will likely get a Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO) instead of a title if you buy a new vehicle from a dealership. On the other hand, be sure a private seller has a vehicle's title before purchasing it. In either situation, a title transfer process must take place.

If the title of a car you want to purchase in Louisiana shows any lienholders, ensure the seller pays off the liens in full and see that the liens are removed before entering the transaction. Afterward, the seller must enter their address, full name, the vehicle's odometer readings, and date of sale on the title transfer section of the certificate of title. If the vehicle sale is between two private parties, the buyer must ensure the seller signs the certificate of title in the presence of a notary or at least two witnesses. The Acknowledgement of Witness section of the certificate of title must be completed if the title is signed in the presence of witnesses. A properly signed title transferring ownership rights to the car and a notarized bill of sale are both required for a vehicle with an out-of-state vehicle.

The seller must also complete a Vehicle Application Form (DPSMV 1799). In addition, the seller and the buyer can complete a bill of sale for a vehicle with a Louisiana title to further prove the car was sold. Once these are set, the buyer must get insurance for the vehicle and submit the proof of insurance, completed DPSMV 1799, and a valid photo ID at the nearest Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles office location. You will need to pay a title fee of $18.50, a service charge of $8, and sales and use tax to complete the transfer process.

Louisiana Insurance and Registration Requirements

Liability coverage is the minimum insurance requirement for all Louisiana-registered vehicles. It covers property damage and medical expenses for other parties in an at-fault vehicle accident. However, this insurance coverage does not cover the car owners' property damage or injuries. As a vehicle owner in Louisiana, you must carry a minimum liability coverage of $15,000 per person for bodily injury, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage in an accident. Vehicle owners without liability insurance in the state can have their cars impounded, driving privileges suspended, license plates canceled, or registrations withdrawn.

Louisiana Titling Requirements and Sales Tax

You need several documents and information to title a new vehicle in Louisiana, including the following:

• Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO) (for a new car)
• Original invoice, which must have the price and description of the car, including its VIN, make, model, and year (for a new car)
• Current certificate of title (for a used vehicle)
• A valid ID (driver's license, verified active duty Military ID, or any other valid identification card)
• A completed DPSMV 1799
• A completed Odometer Disclosure Form (DPSMV 1606)
• A completed Financing Statement Form (UCC-1 Form) if a lien is to be recorded
• A bill of sale stating the full description and price of the vehicle (for a used car)

• Payment of sales and use taxes

These requirements, in addition to a notarized bill of sale, also apply to out-of-state vehicles being titled in Louisiana. A VIN lookup can help to confirm the current ownership of a previously used vehicle in the state. Hence, you can be sure the seller is authorized to sell before purchasing and titling it, as well as paying the required sales and use taxes. When titling their car in Louisiana, the sales and use tax can be waived for any military personnel with proof of paying sales tax on their vehicles in another state.