Maryland VIN Check
How to Perform a VIN Lookup in Maryland?
A car's vehicle identification number (VIN) can be used to look up its information, history reports, and other important records. A VIN is a unique identification code assigned to vehicles by car manufacturers. It consists of 17 alpha-numeric characters that allow anyone to unlock a wealth of information about a vehicle, including features, manufacturer, and specifications.
A VIN check can be performed in multiple ways in Maryland. For instance, the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) of the state's Department of Transportation (DOT) manages an Interactive Driver and Vehicle Record Access System, which allows vehicle record search by VIN. However, only businesses and entities that meet the Federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) allowable use and have legitimate business needs can use this service. Interested individuals can also perform VIN lookups online using third-party websites offering vehicle record search services, like GoodCar. With a car's full VIN as the search criterion, GoodCar will reveal basic details like the vehicle's make, model, year, and transmission type. You only have to pay a small fee to access a more comprehensive vehicle report from a VIN lookup.
How to Find Your Car's VIN Number?
The following are different ways/places to find your car's VIN:
- Dashboard - The VIN is printed on the dashboard on the driver's side at the point where the windshield intersects the dashboard
- Door - Open the driver's side door, and you will find the VIN on a metal strip pinned to the doorpost
- Engine - You will find your car's VIN engraved beside the engine
- Spare Wheel - Some car manufacturers stamp VINs on their vehicle's spare wheel, which you will find in the trunk
- Rear Wheel - While this may be hard to locate, some vehicle manufacturers print VINs above the rear wheel
- Vehicle Documents - A car's registration certificate and insurance policy document will typically contain its VIN
Each VIN character represents specific vehicle information, including country of origin, make, year, and mode. You can learn these details about your car using the GoodCar VIN Decoder.
Why Should I Run a md VIN Check?
Most vehicle sellers will not disclose the complete history of a vehicle to a potential buyer. Hence, if you are buying a used car in Maryland, it is important never to take chances by ensuring you conduct a VIN lookup. The major reasons you should run a VIN check before purchasing a used vehicle in the state are discussed below.
Vehicle History
Fetching information about a car's past is one of the reasons you should run a VIN lookup when purchasing a used car from any of Maryland’s 246 used vehicle dealers. Such reports include accident history, mileage, and title issues, all of which are invaluable information to verify the seller’s claim about the vehicle's history.
Title Verification
Another reason you must run a VIN lookup before paying for a used car in Maryland is title verification. With over 4.91 million registered cars in the state, this will help you discover discrepancies between the vehicle's title and VIN. A vehicle whose VIN on the title does not match the one on the car is potentially a stolen car or a vehicle with a branded title.
Accident History
Several vehicles with hidden structural issues, largely due to previous accidents, are often displayed for sale. Annually, over 560 vehicle crashes are reported in Maryland. Many of these motor vehicles would have been repaired and rebuilt, ready to be sold off to unsuspecting buyers. However, a VIN check on such vehicles will reveal information about their accident records, damage sustained, repair or rebuild history, and structural issues, if any.
Mileage Verification
A VIN lookup protects you from odometer fraud. This check can reveal how the vehicle's mileage has changed over time and help uncover odometer fraud. The Maryland Vehicle Administration warns against tampering with cars’ odometer readings to make them display lower mileage.
Recalls and Safety Standards
Over 50,000 vehicles registered in Maryland are subject to safety recalls in 2023 alone. So, it is critical to run a VIN check if you are purchasing a preowned vehicle in the state. Generally, a VIN lookup will reveal all the safety recalls issued by a vehicle manufacturer, including the defects.
Theft Check
Vehicle theft is rampant in Maryland, with at least 12,019 reported cases in 2022 and 11,145 in 2021. A simple Maryland VIN check can prevent you from purchasing a stolen car.
Natural Disaster-Related Reasons
Maryland is prone to natural disasters like flooding, hurricanes, severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and snowstorms. Certain regions in the state, including Annapolis, are coastal areas and are more susceptible to flooding. As a result, any potential buyer of a preowned vehicle in Maryland is advised to run a VIN check on such a car to ascertain it has not sustained any natural disaster-related damage.
Maryland Lemon Laws
and How They Relate to VIN Checks
A lemon is any car with significant defects and/or repeated issues covered under warranty that the manufacturer cannot fix or correct within a reasonable amount of time after several attempts. The Maryland Lemon Law applies to motorcycles, cars, and light trucks registered in the state that have been owned for less than two years and driven less than 18,000 miles. It does not matter if you are the original owner of the vehicle.
Under the Maryland lemon law, you can notify the vehicle manufacturer if you suspect your car is a lemon and attempts by the dealer to fix it once or twice failed. According to this law, the dealer or manufacturer is supposed to fix a defect within 30 days of notifying them via certified mail. So, if they fail to do so, you have a right to a replacement car or refund in any of the following situations:
- Any issue that considerably impairs the market value and use of the car that was not fixed in four repair attempts
- A steering failure or brake issue that was not resolved after the first repair attempt, especially if the issue causes your car to fail the state's safety inspection
- Any other issues that greatly degrade the use and value of the vehicle that led it to be out of service or use for at least a cumulative 30 days
While consumers have rights under the state's lemon law, conducting a Maryland VIN lookup before purchasing a previously used car can reveal whether the vehicle is a lemon. A simple VIN check will save you all the stress and financial consequences of costly repairs.
The Title Transfer Process
As part of the Maryland title transfer process, make sure a vehicle's certificate of title is free of liens before purchasing or selling the car. Usually, the front of the title will display liens, and the lienholder must release it, if any. The title transfer process requires the seller and the buyer to sign the certificate of title. The title should contain the current odometer reading, and where it is not available, the seller must provide an odometer disclosure statement.
The back of a Maryland title has sections for the buyer and seller that must be completed. Both sections require the parties to enter their names, addresses, and other information. In addition, the buyer must provide information about their vehicle insurance, including the policy number and the insurance company agent’s name. Both parties must sign in the appropriate fields once all required information has been entered. Afterward, the buyer must submit the following documents at their local Maryland Vehicle Administration (MVA) office to finalize the title transfer:
- Evidence of lien release (if applicable)
- Valid ID
- Proof of vehicle ownership, which may be any of the following:
- Maryland certificate of title
- Out-of-state certificate of title or a bill of sale (for vehicles bought outside Maryland)
- Proof of car insurance
- Bill of sale (for a vehicle purchased from a private seller)
- Copy of the vehicle inspection certificate
- Payment of a $100 title transfer fee and 6% sales tax
The MVA will mail a new certificate of title to the buyer once their application is approved. The new title will then replace the old one.
Maryland Insurance and Registration Requirements
Before titling a vehicle in Maryland, the MVA requires a vehicle owner to carry liability insurance that can enable them to pay damages caused by them and suffered by others. A vehicle owner's liability coverage must have a minimum of $30,000 per person for bodily injury, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident. Also, Maryland requires car owners to carry up to $2,500 in personal protection (PIP) coverage to cover medical costs and lost income for them and their passengers in the event of a covered accident.
Furthermore, under Maryland law, vehicle owners must have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, and the minimum required limit is 30/60/15 - $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident. The UM coverage pays for damages caused by an uninsured driver and suffered by you.
Maryland Titling Requirements and Sales Tax
The requirements for titling a vehicle in Maryland depend on whether the car was bought as brand new or pre-owned. Usually, the dealer will handle the titling process if you purchase a new vehicle and hand over a bill of sale and temporary or permanent license plate before you drive off. Generally, the requirements for titling a previously used vehicle in Maryland at the MVA office include the following:
- Proof of ownership, which may be any of the following:
- The vehicle's current title, if it was issued in Maryland or elsewhere. A title issued in Maryland can be used as the application for titling and registering the car
- Registration document or a bill of sale (for a car bought from a state that does not issue a certificate of title as proof of ownership)
- Proof of purchase price/Bill of sale signed by the seller and the buyer
- A completed Application for Certificate of Title Form (Form VR-005), particularly for vehicles purchased out-of-state
- Payment of 6% sales tax, which must be verified by a notarized MVA Bill of Sale Form (Form VR-181)
The following may also be required as additional forms or information under certain circumstances:
- Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate
- Odometer disclosure statement
- Certificate of origin
- Lien information and lien release
In Maryland, conducting a VIN check when purchasing a preowned car to confirm its legal owner is important. This is even more vital because the Bill of Sale Form must be signed by both parties (buyer and seller), and there must be no discrepancy.
The MVA offers car registration exemption and tax credits for some service members. Non-resident active-duty military members who establish residency in Maryland within one year of moving to the state qualify for a tax credit for any titling fees paid in another state when titling their cars in Maryland. Similarly, those who have not established residency in the state do not need to register their passenger cars in Maryland if the vehicle currently carries the registration of their state of residence.
Maryland-Assigned VINs
The Maryland Vehicle Administration (MVA) assigns vehicle identification numbers (VINs) to homemade trailers and cars with missing VINs. Under the state's vehicle law, when a car's VIN becomes obliterated, illegible, or has been removed, the vehicle owner must apply to the MVA for an assigned VIN. A state-assigned VIN becomes a car's unique identification number for all future transactions and will not reduce the vehicle's market value or affect its sale.
Why Choose GoodCar for Maryland 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
about Maryland VIN Checks
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Who Issues A Vehicle's Vin Number In Maryland?
Most Maryland-registered vehicles carry the VINs assigned by their manufacturers. However, the state's Motor Vehicle Administration can issue assigned VINs to homemade trailers and motor vehicles with illegible VINs
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How do I verify a VIN number in Maryland?
Maryland-registered cars' VINs can be verified by entering the full or last seven digits of the VIN in the state's Police e-Inspection Search and Station Locator. This system only displays reports for vehicles that passed inspections done in the last year. Alternatively, reliable third-party VIN lookup websites like GoodCar are great for verifying Maryland VINs.
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Is it safe to check a Maryland VIN online?
Yes. Maryland VINs are public records and are safe to check or look up online.
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Do I need a VIN inspection in Maryland?
Most preowned vehicles in Maryland require a VIN inspection as part of the state's Vehicle Safety Inspection, which must be done before the sale or title transfer.
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Are Maryland VIN checks necessary for out-of-state vehicles brought into Maryland?
Yes. Vehicles purchased out-of-state, especially previously used cars, must have their VINs checked before being titled or registered in Maryland.
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What does a Maryland VIN check reveal?
A VIN lookup on a Maryland-registered vehicle will reveal its make, model, year, title history, ownership history, liens, theft history, accident history, recalls, odometer readings, and other non-identifying associated details
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Can you ask for the VIN from a Maryland seller?
Yes. You can ask a private seller for the VIN of a preowned car you intend to buy. Any trustworthy and transparent seller will not hesitate to share it.