Pennsylvania VIN Check

Vehicle History

There are over 1,100 used car dealers in Pennsylvania. However, before you pay for that new ride, it is wise to confirm that the dealer’s claim about the vehicle is true. A quick VIN Check online will verify the claim.

Title Verification

VIN lookups in Pennsylvania confirm registration and titling issues. By navigating to title issues on the search results, you may see if the vehicle has title problems such as junk, salvage or reconstruction. One may also see when a new title is registered and the state of residence. There are 10,165,300 registered vehicles in the state, so checks should be done to ensure the vehicle of interest is up to code.

Accident History

The goal of assessing previous incidents is to determine if the vehicle had been involved in an accident or collision. This is essential as 1,170 yearly vehicle crashes may be a predictor for mechanical issues later.

Mileage Verification

Odometer fraud is a common crime in Pennsylvania, with over 69,600 cases reported in recent years across the state. A VIN lookup will go a long way in saving you from becoming the next victim of this scam. Typically, an odometer fraud victim suffers more than $4,000 in loss to overpayment. If you suspect odometer tempering after a VIN check in Pennsylvania, report the fraud to the State’s Department of Transportation (PennDOT).

Recalls and Safety Standards

Pennsylvania VIN lookup shows if the vehicle was previously part of a recall. Pennsylvania has 184,000 open recalls, some of which are currently in operation. The state encourages residents to check if their vehicles are part of an open recall and submit them for repair. The VIN search also allows interested parties to see if registered vehicles or those they are interested in purchasing have an active recall.

Theft Check

Approximately 22,407 motor vehicle thefts occur yearly in the state. A theft check can help determine whether the vehicle you are interested in has been involved in criminal activities.

Natural Disaster-Related Reasons

Pennsylvania VIN lookup also provides information on natural damage experienced over the years. Adverse weather events such as severe storms and flooding can affect vehicles, causing mechanical issues over time. Over the last decade, about 45 severe storms were recorded in the state.

The Title Transfer Process

Vehicle transfers must be completed by a tag service or motor vehicle dealer authorized by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. If you are purchasing a vehicle already titled in the state, the seller has to indicate the buyer’s credentials and disclose the odometer reading in the presence of the authorized PennDOT agent. The buyer must also facilitate sales, use tax return applications for registration, and provide a Pennsylvania driver’s license.

The buyer will also sign and print the name in the allocated spaces. Purchasers must complete Section D on the front of the title. If the vehicle is financed, lien information must be issued in Section D. For cars that are not funded, the certificate of title in your name will be sent to your address. Original title fees are $67. If the vehicle has a lien, the fee rises to $100. In addition to titling and registration, the vehicle must be insured.

Pennsylvania Insurance and Registration Requirements

Pennsylvania state law requires motor vehicles to maintain a minimum level of liability insurance. This insurance covers bodily injury and property damage in the event of an accident. Vehicles must have coverage levels of $15,000 for the death or injury of one individual following an accident, $5,000 for damage to property of another party, and $30,000 for injury or death of more than one individual in an accident.

Pennsylvania also requires vehicle owners to register their vehicles in the state after titling them to be legally operated. You may apply for registration using the same form used for the title application. An authorized Pennsylvania Department of Transportation agent can transfer it to the purchased vehicle.

Other registration requirements include the vehicle’s insurance information for the state where it will be driven, sales tax payment, and documentation indicating that the vehicle has passed safety inspections. The fee for registering passenger vehicles in the state is $45. Renewal fees are $5 cumulatively for every year the vehicle is registered in the state.

Pennsylvania Titling Requirements and Sales Tax

Pennsylvania requires that all out-of-state titles be surrendered to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles when applying for titles. The present lienholder of an out-of-state title may require that the owner opt to refinance the balance of the lien outstanding through other lending institutions and pay the lienholder in full. A Certificate of Title may be issued when the title is submitted with a completed Form MV-1.

However, this form is to be completed by an authorized department agent. Most notaries and messenger services are authorized agents, so they can complete applications for title and issue you a temporary registration option.

Proof of ownership and identification is also required. That is, proof of a driver's license, Certificate of Title, or Manufacture Certificate of Origin. You will also have to provide proof of insurance. The sales tax is required at 8%, or 7%, for the residents of Allegheny County.

Pennsylvania-Assigned VINs

Pennsylvania vehicle identification numbers are assigned by manufacturers when the car is made. However, Pennsylvania authorities can assign a VIN to vehicles recovered following theft or those whose VIN plate was damaged during an accident.