Maine VIN Check
How to Perform a VIN Lookup in Maine?
There are several ways to perform a VIN lookup in Maine. VIN stands for vehicle identification number, a unique 17-character code given to a vehicle by its manufacturer to distinguish it from others. It is a combination of numbers and letters. A VIN can be used to look up vehicles because vehicle information and history reports are typically linked to it once registered.
The InforME Subscriber Services, managed by the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), allow interested persons to check for certain vehicle records, including title records, using VIN. However, it is a subscription service. Similarly, you can perform a Maine VIN lookup using any approved, credible third-party data provider like GoodCar. A VIN check on the GoodCar website will reveal vital vehicle condition and history reports, including sale, accident, recall, and ownership history. To use GoodCar's VIN check services, enter a car's full VIN in the appropriate box/field and click on search. The search result will contain basic information about the vehicle. However, for a small fee, you can unlock a comprehensive report or history information about it.
How to Find Your Car's VIN Number?
You can find your car's VIN in the following parts of the vehicle:
- On a sticker attached to the driver's side door jamb
- On the dashboard near the windshield at the point close to the driver's side of the car
- On the car's registration and title documents
- In the car owner's manual
- On the vehicle's insurance card or policy document
- On the engine
If you need to query your car's VIN to learn about its history or identify specific information encoded in the 17-character code, the GoodCar VIN Decoder is a good bet.
Why Should I Run a me VIN Check?
There are several reasons you should run a VIN check in Maine, particularly if you are buying a used vehicle. The results obtained from it can protect you from the risks associated with purchasing vehicles with safety concerns and hidden problems. Some reasons you should consider running a VIN check in Maine are further discussed below.
Vehicle History
Tracing a vehicle's history is one of the reasons anyone purchasing a used vehicle from one of the over 203 car dealers in Maine should conduct a VIN check. The detailed information and history report obtained from the search will either encourage you to buy safety or prevent you from purchasing a liability.
Title Verification
There are over 1.29 million registered cars in Maine. Hence, another reason you need to run a VIN check in the state is to match a vehicle's title with its VIN and be sure the car is clear of any salvage or lien titles before purchasing it. A title history that traverses multiple states over a relatively short period may suggest that someone is trying to wash off (hide) negative records from the title.
Accident History
Considering that over 30,000 car crashes are reported in Maine every year, one should never rely on the appearance of a used vehicle to purchase it. A detailed VIN lookup report will reveal a car's accident history and give you an insight into any potential safety problems and hidden structural issues the dealer or private seller will not disclose.
Mileage Verificatio
Conducting a VIN lookup on a used vehicle can prevent you from falling victim to odometer fraud. Odometer rollbacks are rampant nowadays, and it is considered a Class C offense in Maine. Typically, victims pay over $4000 extra for a car with a fraudulent odometer. The Office of Investigation, Bureau of Motor Vehicles oversees cases of odometer fraud in the state.
Recalls and Safety Standards
Up to 50,000 cars in Maine were subject to open safety recalls in 2023. Hence, when purchasing a used vehicle in the state, consider looking it up using its VIN to determine if it is subject to open recalls and learn about the repairs needed. You can find out if a vehicle is subject to any safety recalls through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Recall Lookup by VIN Portal.
Theft Check
Over 850 car thefts are reported in Maine yearly. Hence, conducting VIN lookups must be considered, especially for anyone purchasing previously used vehicles in the state. A comprehensive VIN lookup report will indicate if a car has been reported stolen.
Natural Disaster-Related Reasons
Although natural disasters are infrequent in Maine, certain areas in the state are prone to and have experienced certain natural hazards like floods, earthquakes, landslides, and hurricanes. Hence, performing a VIN check on any vehicle you intend to purchase in the state is advised, as it will help you ascertain that such a car has not suffered any natural disaster-related damage.
Maine Lemon Laws
and How They Relate to VIN Checks
A detailed vehicle history report from a Maine VIN lookup will reveal if the vehicle has been previously classified as a lemon. In the automobile industry, a lemon is a significantly malfunctioning or defective vehicle that is unsafe to drive. Generally, the Maine Lemon Law protects vehicle owners whose new cars are considerably defective. It requires car manufacturers to make necessary repairs and fix such defects once reported. A consumer has a right to a replacement vehicle or a refund if a car's defect still recurs or exists after a reasonable number of repair attempts.
Vehicles covered under Maine's lemon law include defective ones within their express warranty periods, have not traveled more than 18,000 miles, or are within three years of the initial delivery date, whichever comes first. Also, the law applies to used motor vehicles, provided the defects are noticed and reported within the stipulated periods. Besides safety concerns, you will likely spend a fortune on costly repairs if you purchase any vehicle that qualifies as lemon in Maine.
The Title Transfer Process
A title transfer process entails transferring a vehicle ownership from one person to another. For a title transfer to happen in Maine, the vehicle seller must sign the title to cede ownership to the buyer. The buyer will also sign it and take it to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) with all other required documentation to obtain a new title and register the vehicle. To conclude a title transfer process in Maine, you (the buyer) must do the following: Visit a local BMV Branch Office Location and obtain a title transfer application form. This form is not available online Pay your locality's excise tax and obtain evidence of payment Gather the following documents and information: Proof of valid Maine insurance Odometer information sheet Excise tax payment proof Proof of lien release (if applicable) Bill of sale The original vehicle title (or certificate of origin) Valid photo ID (driver's license) Completed title transfer application form, which should include the following information: Date of sale Name and address (for the seller and buyer) Odometer reading (if required) Pay a 5.5% sales tax at the local BMV branch location Pay for the title transfer fee All these required documents and payment proof should be submitted at any local BMV branch office or mailed to the administrative office of the BMV at: Bureau of Motor Vehicles Title Unit 29 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333-0029 It takes about six weeks for the BMV to issue a new title after receiving a title transfer application. However, an expedited request can be made available between three to five working days for an additional $10 fee.
Maine Insurance and Registration Requireme
While shopping for insurance for a newly purchased car in Maine, you must get the minimum amounts required by state law, which is also needed to title and register the vehicle. The minimum liability coverage limit required for a vehicle to operate in the state is 50/100/25. This includes $50,000 for bodily injury per person, $100,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Maine law also requires a minimum of $50,000 per person/ $100,000 per accident of uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) coverage. The UM coverage primarily protects you and your vehicle's occupant if the other person responsible for an accident has no insurance or if their limits are less than your UM limit.
Maine Titling Requirements and Sales Tax
An application for vehicle titling in Maine must contain the following information:
- The name, mailing, and residence address of the vehicle owner
- The date of purchase and the name and address of the seller
- The vehicle's description, including its make, year, model, body type, current mileage, VIN, whether it was purchased as used or brand new, and body type/style
- Previous certificate of title (if it was bought as a used car)
- Certificate of origin (for a new vehicle)
- The applicable title fee
To title an out-of-state vehicle in Maine, the application requirements must include, in addition to those required for Maine-registered vehicles, the title or certificate of salvage title issued from that state. In this case, A VIN check can help confirm the current owner of a vehicle to ensure they are legally authorized to sell it. Generally, you must pay a 5.5% sales tax as part of the Maine titling application process.
Maine-Assigned VINs
The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) can assign a new vehicle identification number for a vehicle whose original VIN was destroyed or obliterated and for homemade vehicles. Once assigned, the state's BMV will issue a legal document confirming the assignment of a permanent VIN. Hence, a Maine-assigned VIN on a car will not frustrate its sale or purchase.
Why Choose GoodCar for Maine VIN Lookup?
GoodCar is the one-stop shop for comprehensive vehicle history reports and contains everything from ownership data, vehicle specifications, fire damage, and accident history to the title history of the vehicle. The data provided is of the highest industry standards, placing customers in the best position to make informed decisions.
Maine Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
about Maine VIN Checks
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Who Issues A Vehicle's Vin Number In Maine?
Most vehicles registered in Maine come with VINs originally assigned by their manufacturers. However, the state's BMV may assign permanent VINs in certain instances.
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How do I verify a VIN number in Maine?
You can verify a VIN in Maine using a reliable third-party VIN check service like GoodCar.
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Is it safe to check a Maine VIN online?
Yes. There is no harm in looking up a Maine VIN online. Checking a VIN online for associated information is convenient and fast.
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Do I need a VIN inspection in Maine?
Yes, but not for all vehicles. The Maine Motor Vehicle Certificate of Title and Anti-theft Act requires VIN inspection for all vehicles model years 1995 and newer that were previously titled or registered in another country. In addition, if a car's VIN is questionable, the state's BMV may request a VIN inspection.
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Are Maine VIN checks necessary for out-of-state vehicles brought into Maine?
Yes, a VIN check/inspection is required for a vehicle brought to Maine from another state as part of the titling process. The titling application must include the certificate of an individual authorized by the Secretary of State that the VIN has been inspected and found to match the description listed in the application.
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What does a Maine VIN check reveal?
A Maine VIN check will disclose non-identifying information associated with a car's VIN and several history reports like accident history, repair history, recalls, sale history, theft records, and natural disaster-related damage records.
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Can you ask for the VIN from a Maine seller?
Yes, you can ask a Maine car seller for the VIN stamped on a vehicle you intend to buy. After all, it is best to look up a vehicle's details and history reports before buying it. That way, you can avoid purchasing a stolen vehicle, a car with a titled brand, or one that has been classified as a lemon.