New Jersey VIN Check

Vehicle History

As of 2021, there were 6.31 used car dealers for every 100,000 New Jersey residents, equaling over 580 auto dealers across the state. With a VIN check, you can obtain detailed vehicle history reports on vehicles you wish to purchase from these dealers (or a private seller) and use these reports to determine if these vehicles’ features and conditions match what was advertised.

Title Verification

A vehicle's title is a legal document that establishes proof of ownership. 89.1% of households in New Jersey own at least one vehicle (there are over 6.57 million registered light-duty vehicles operating in the state). You can verify vehicle titles in New Jersey using VIN checks; doing this when buying a used car is crucial, as it confirms that the individual (or dealership) selling the vehicle has the legal right to do so.

Accident History

Over 200,000 auto accidents are reported across New Jersey each year. Given these figures, getting a comprehensive accident history is essential when purchasing vehicles to avoid buying one that could cost more in repairs than the purchase price itself. You can get this information through a VIN check; these services typically reveal hidden damages or structural issues from past accidents and detail the nature of the accident, repairs and rebuilds done, and potential safety concerns from the incident.

Mileage Verification

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that more than 450,000 vehicles are sold with rolled-back odometers across the US each year, costing buyers around $1 billion annually. Despite federal and state laws penalizing odometer tampering, many unscrupulous sellers still use this practice to increase their sales. However, by running a VIN check, you can access reports that include a vehicle's last reported odometer reading and mileage each time a title was issued and compare these to its current mileage. Contact the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs at (973) 504-6200 to report odometer fraud.

Recalls and Safety Standards

Conducting VIN checks provides information on NHTSA recalls, crash test ratings, and safety issues. More than 109,000 vehicles in New Jersey have urgent, open recalls. Unresolved recalls and safety defects can pose risks, potentially leading to accidents and injuries. Knowing about open recalls and defects allows buyers to address them before purchasing the vehicle.

Theft Check

Motor vehicle thefts are on the rise nationwide, and New Jersey is not exempt from this; reports suggest that over 16,600 vehicles were stolen across the state in 2023, representing a four percent increase from the number reported for the previous year. VIN checks are crucial in helping buyers determine if a vehicle has been reported stolen (but not recovered) or flagged as salvaged. Failing to do this can cause avoidable legal and financial implications, ranging from having the car confiscated and returned to its original owner if it turns out that it was stolen to facing criminal charges for having a stolen vehicle.

Disaster-related Damages

Like every other state, New Jersey is prone to natural disasters, with floods, severe storms, and nor’easters being the most common; the state has also experienced 10 FEMA-declared disasters in the past decade. Running a VIN check before purchasing a vehicle can help determine if it has sustained disaster-related damages by identifying hidden structural issues, flood damage, and other potential problems arising from harsh New Jersey weather conditions.

The Title Transfer Process

To transfer a vehicle’s title (and ownership) in New Jersey, the seller and buyer must sign their respective sections on the reverse side of the title; the buyer must also include their driver's license number or MVC-issued Entity Identification Number. The seller must then give the signed title to the buyer, along with a bill of sale that includes the buyer's name and address, the vehicle's odometer reading, the date of the sale, and the sale price. Once this is done, the buyer must proceed with these documents to an MVC Vehicle Center to complete the title transfer process. Titling fees typically range from $60 - $110, depending on the vehicle type and whether it was financed with a lien. Note that you will be charged a $25 penalty if you fail to complete the title transfer within 10 working days from the date of sale. Additional documentation may also be required if you wish to title and register the vehicle at the same time.

New Jersey Insurance and Registration Requirements

All vehicles registered in New Jersey must have liability insurance, personal injury protection (PIP), and uninsured motorist coverage. Coverage amounts may vary, but standard policies typically have minimum amounts of $25,000 per person or $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability, $25,000 per accident for property damage liability, and $15,000 per person or accident for PIP. Uninsured motorist coverage is usually the same amount selected for liability coverage.

New Jersey dealerships typically handle the registration for customers who purchase new vehicles through them. On the other hand, you must schedule an appointment with the MVC to initiate the registration process for other vehicles. You will need the following documents for your appointment:

• The vehicle’s title
• A completed Vehicle Registration Application Form
• Proof of insurance
• A valid ID

Note that additional documentation may be required depending on your specific situation. Registration fees vary depending on vehicle type and applicable taxes.

New Jersey Titling Requirements and Sales Tax

In New Jersey, titling for new vehicles is typically handled by the dealership from which you bought the vehicle. On the other hand, to title a pre-owned vehicle, you need the assigned title, your driver's license, proof of insurance, and applicable titling fees. Additional documentation may be required depending on whether the vehicle is leased, financed, purchased from an auction, out-of-state, or if you wish to register the vehicle as well. A sales tax fee is usually charged when titling your vehicle in New Jersey (in addition to other titling and registration fees). However, exemptions are made for disabled veterans who received funds from the Veterans Administration to purchase the vehicle being titled.

New Jersey-Assigned VINs

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission does not issue VINs; these unique identifiers are assigned to vehicles by their manufacturers during production.