New Hampshire VIN Check
How to Perform a VIN Lookup in New hampshire?
A New Hampshire VIN lookup can provide essential details about a vehicle's history. This is especially handy when buying cars in the state; you can make a more informed decision before purchasing by checking for title issues, accident reports, disaster-related damage, recalls, and other related information. You can perform these VIN lookups at state-authorized inspection stations or online via third-party platforms like GoodCar, an approved NMVTIS data provider that offers comprehensive and reliable vehicle history reports.
How to Find Your Car's VIN Number?
Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) are 17-digit alphanumeric codes assigned to vehicles during manufacturing. These VINs are unique identifiers that provide information about the vehicle’s make, model, specifications, and features. Your car’s VIN is typically located on the driver’s side of the dashboard, near the windshield, and is usually visible from the outside of the vehicle. You can also find the VIN printed on a sticker or metal plate on the driver’s side door jamb and under the hood, near the vehicle’s engine. Note that the exact location of the VIN can vary by make and model.
Why Should I Run a nh VIN Check?
VIN checks offer valuable information on vehicles in New Hampshire. This information can help you avoid potential risks and make an informed decision when buying used cars by providing key details on the car, such as:
Vehicle History
New Hampshire has over 180 used car dealers, all of which make various claims on the vehicles they offer for sale. You can access comprehensive vehicle history reports through a VIN check and use these reports to verify if the vehicle's specs and current condition match the advertised information.
Title Verification
There are over 1,373,700 registered vehicles in New Hampshire, about 2.7 vehicles per household. Checking the vehicle's title is crucial when performing auto transactions in New Hampshire. A title verification ensures that the seller has the legal right to sell the vehicle and that there are no undisclosed issues such as outstanding liens, salvage titles, or other complications.
Accident History
Given that the number of vehicular crashes reported across the US has consistently risen over the past decade, it is important to vet the accident history of used cars before buying. A VIN check can reveal a vehicle’s past accident damages, helping you avoid cars with hidden issues that could lead to expensive repairs or safety risks.
Mileage Verification
In New Hampshire (and most other states), it is an offense to change, tamper with, or deface a vehicle’s odometer or any other device used to measure the distance it has traveled. Unfortunately, many shady auto sellers still do this, with reports suggesting that over 2 million vehicles on the road have had their odometers rolled back. Verifying a vehicle's mileage is crucial to avoid falling victim to odometer fraud; using a VIN check, you can compare a vehicle’s reported mileage with historical records, detect discrepancies, and accurately assess its overall condition and potential resale value. Contact the New Hampshire Department of Justice at (603) 271-3658 to report odometer fraud in the state.
Recalls and Safety Standards
Over 4.2 million vehicles need recall repairs nationwide. Operating a car with unresolved recalls poses a safety risk and can result in accidents and serious injuries. VIN checks provide information on NHTSA recalls, crash test ratings, and safety issues; by being informed about open recalls on a vehicle, you can take necessary steps to ensure the problems are fixed before purchasing or use this information when negotiating its price.
Theft Check
Over 800 vehicles are stolen in New Hampshire each year, and ending up with one of these vehicles can have financial and legal implications. In addition to the possibility of the vehicle being confiscated (without compensation), you can also face Class A felony charges for receiving stolen property, especially if it is determined that you bought the car for way lower than its actual value. Running a VIN check lets you know if a vehicle has been reported stolen, making it a great way to do your due diligence when buying used cars in New Hampshire.
Disaster-related Damages
Over the last decade, 18 FEMA-declared disasters have occurred in New Hampshire. Although the state is relatively fortunate compared to other parts of the country in terms of severe natural disasters, it still experiences floods, severe winter storms, hurricanes, earthquakes, and high wind events. A VIN check can help you verify whether a vehicle you intend to purchase has been impacted by such events by providing a detailed vehicle history report that reveals past damages and repairs.
New hampshire Lemon Laws
and How They Relate to VIN Checks
The New Hampshire New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Law(as outlined in New Hampshire RSA 357-D) is commonly referred to as the state’s "Lemon Law." This law primarily applies to new vehicles purchased from New Hampshire dealerships that are still under the manufacturer’s warranty but may also cover low-mileage used cars with defects in their systems covered by a warranty. Under this law, consumers with defective new vehicles that cannot be repaired by the dealer may seek assistance from the state’s Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board (MVAB).
Suppose the MVAB determines that the vehicle’s defect substantially impairs its use, value, or safety, as covered by the manufacturer's warranty. In that case, it will order the manufacturer to repurchase the vehicle or replace it with one of equal value, based on the consumer's preference. The board may also award damages covering license and registration fees as well as finance charges related to the vehicle loan. Note that the MVAB’s decisions can be appealed to a New Hampshire Superior Court.
A vehicle is considered a "lemon" if it is significantly impaired due to a warranty-covered defect that the manufacturer or their representative has failed to repair. To be eligible for arbitration, consumers must demonstrate that the manufacturer has made at least three unsuccessful repair attempts or that the vehicle has been out of service for 30 or more cumulative business days due to these defects. In certain situations involving severe defects, the MVAB may consider cases with fewer repair attempts or days out of service.
New Hampshire VIN checks help verify a vehicle's history, ensuring it wasn't previously deemed a "lemon" or had significant defects. This protects you from buying cars with undisclosed issues and ensures that you make informed decisions, aligning with the Lemon Law's intent to safeguard buyers of new vehicles. Be aware that the law mandates that manufacturers inform purchasers of their arbitration rights and provide a "demand for arbitration" form. Dealerships must also display consumer rights notices in new car showrooms.
New Hampshire also offers buyers of used cars certain protections through its Unsafe Vehicle Act. Per this act, used car dealers must inform buyers if a car won’t pass a safety inspection in its current condition and allow them to perform a safety check of their own. If the buyer still wishes to proceed with the transaction, the dealer must provide them a list of all the vehicle’s defects and a notice that the vehicle won’t pass a state safety test.
The Title Transfer Process
New Hampshire is a title-required state; as such, you must prove ownership of a vehicle through its title before registering it. To transfer ownership of a vehicle in the state, the seller has to fill in the buyer’s name, address, and the vehicle’s current odometer reading on the reverse side of the title, and then both the seller and buyer have to sign it. Once this is done, the buyer must turn in the signed seller’s title to their local Town or City Clerk to initiate the process of getting a new title in their name. Titling fees cost $25 plus an additional local municipality fee, and new titles are typically processed within 40 – 50 days after a request is submitted.
New Hampshire Insurance and Registration Requirements
New Hampshire does not mandate that vehicle owners carry auto insurance before registering their vehicles; however, they must be able to demonstrate that they can adequately meet the state’s motor vehicle financial responsibility requirements in the event of an “at fault” accident. These requirements amount to liability coverage of at least $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 if two or more people are hurt, and $25,000 for property damage.
Vehicle registration in New Hampshire is a two-part process initiated at Town/City Clerk’s offices and completed at the state’s Division of Motor Vehicles. However, most Town/City Clerks may complete the state part of the registration process on your behalf for an additional fee. To register a vehicle, present its title to your local Town/City Clerk and proof of residency if you have not already done so (per your town/city’s requirements). Registrants with brand-new vehicles purchased from an out-of-state dealership will also need to provide a Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO), while ones with a title-exempt vehicle must present a proper bill of sale and proof of VIN. This may either be an original or a copy of the vehicle’s title, a copy of a previous or recent New Hampshire registration, or a properly completed VIN Verification form.
Registration fees are calculated based on several factors, including the vehicle's weight, age, type, and applicable local fees.
New Hampshire Titling Requirements and Sales Tax
Applications for new titles are controlled documents in New Hampshire and can only be prepared by Town/City Clerks or state-licensed automobile dealers. These applications are usually completed by either the dealership when a vehicle is purchased or your town/city clerk when a vehicle is being registered, and then forwarded to the DMV for processing. Titling fees cost $25 plus additional fees the clerk's office may charge to complete the registration process. However, the New Hampshire DMV offers registration fee exemptions for Veterans who were either honorably discharged former POWs or have service-connected disabilities.
New Hampshire-Assigned VINs
VINs are unique identifiers for vehicles assigned during manufacturing (by auto manufacturers) and are typically recorded by the New Hampshire DMV during vehicle registration. While the DMV does not assign VINs, it may allow using a glider kit VIN (supplied by the manufacturer) as the sole identifier for homemade vehicles.
Why Choose GoodCar for New hampshire 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 New hampshire VIN Checks
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Who Issues a Vehicle's VIN Number in New Hampshire?
A vehicle’s VIN is assigned by its manufacturer when it is produced.
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How Do I Verify a VIN Number in New Hampshire?
You can verify a VIN in New Hampshire by visiting an authorized inspection station, vehicle dealer, or a New Hampshire law enforcement officer. You can also use platforms like GoodCar to perform these VIN checks.
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Is It Safe to Check a New Hampshire VIN Online?
Yes, it’s safe to check a New Hampshire VIN online. It's advisable to do this as part of your due diligence when buying used cars.
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Do I Need a VIN Inspection in New Hampshire?
A VIN verification is required before the following vehicles can be registered in New Hampshire:
- Vehicles that have been previously registered in New Hampshire but the new owner does not have this registration
- Out-of-state vehicles from states that only require a title for vehicles 10 years or newer
- Abandoned vehicles
- US government vehicles
- Antique vehicles
- Homemade trailers that weigh less than 3,000 lbs
- Vehicles from a foreign country
VIN verifications may also be done in situations where the VIN in the DMV's records differs from the VIN the registrant provides.
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Are New Hampshire VIN Checks Necessary for Out-of-State Vehicles Brought into New Hampshire?
VIN verifications are necessary for out-of-state vehicles from states requiring only a title for vehicles 10 years or newer and vehicles coming from a foreign county.
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What Does a New Hampshire VIN Check Reveal?
A New Hampshire VIN check will provide information about the vehicle’s history, such as its sales history, accident records, title information, problem checks, mileage verification, and recalls.
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Can You Ask for the VIN from a New Hampshire Seller?
Yes, you can ask a New Hampshire seller for the VIN of the vehicle you are interested in. It’s a common practice during the buying process, as VINs are typically used to generate comprehensive reports on vehicles.