Tennessee VIN Check

Vehicle History

In Tennessee, knowing a preowned vehicle's history is important before buying it, as it can help you make an informed buying decision and save you money in the long run. A VIN check reveals information relating to prior accidents, mileage, collision repair records, and title history on any of the vehicles displayed for sale by the 754 used car dealers in the state.

Title Verification

Several vehicles from the over 6.82 million registered cars in the state have branded titles and are being displayed in the used car market for sale. It is often advised to steer clear of vehicles with branded titles because of safety concerns and the possibility that their new users will spend more on expensive repairs. Conducting a VIN lookup on any vehicle you want to buy in Tennessee will also help you verify that the car's VIN matches the one found in the title document.

Accident History

Over 40,000 car crashes are reported in Tennessee every year, and a good number of these damaged cars are repaired and sent back to the used car market. It is rare to find a vehicle seller who will disclose the complete accident history of a car. However, a detailed vehicle history report will reveal the accident history, structural damage, and major repairs applied to fix the vehicle.

Mileage Verification

Performing a VIN lookup can help verify a vehicle's true mileage, and it is often recommended to avoid falling victim to odometer fraud in Tennessee. If you fall victim to this fraud, contact the state’s Highway Patrol.

Recalls and Safety Standards

A VIN check can help you learn about a car's open recalls and the required repairs. In 2023, about 107,000 vehicles on Tennessee roads had open recalls. Hence, it is advised never to conclude a vehicle purchase in the state without determining if the car has an outstanding safety recall.

Theft Check

You can determine whether the vehicle you are proposing to buy in Tennessee has been reported stolen by running a VIN lookup. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), car thefts surged in the United States in 2023, with about a 10% increase in Tennessee. Performing a VIN check on a preowned vehicle you are looking to purchase is a crucial step to prevent you from legal troubles and authenticate the car's ownership legitimacy.

Natural Disaster-Related Reasons

Tennessee has a long history of certain natural disasters, including horrifying floodings that have occurred in every region of the state. Hence, it is crucial for anyone who is purchasing a vehicle, especially a preowned one, to run a VIN check to ascertain it has not been flooded before buying it. Typically, floods cause serious damage to motor vehicles, so it is important to ensure you are not paying a dealer or private seller your hard-earned money for a piece of junk that will require expensive repairs.

The Title Transfer Process

In any used vehicle sale/purchase transaction in Tennessee, the seller must properly reassign the certificate of title to the buyer by signing under the "Assignment of Title by Registered Owner" section of the title. As a buyer, ensure that the name appearing on the front of the title is the same as that of the seller and that they sign on the back exactly as their name appears on the front. If multiple persons own the car, make sure all the owners jointly sign on the back of the certificate of title. Once this is done, the buyer must prepare the following documents:

Properly assigned, valid certificate of title

• Proof of Tennessee residency and proof of identity
• Proof of Tennessee insurance
• Affidavit or Non-Dealer Transfers of Motor Vehicles and Boats (for vehicles bought for considerably less than the market value or transfers between relatives)
• Bill of sale
• If applicable, odometer disclosure statement

These documents should be submitted in person or by mail to the buyer's local county clerk's office or the county clerk's office at the dealer's location to obtain a new title. The buyer is required to pay the applicable titling fees (usually $11 for the title fee and a $1 title transfer fee) and sales tax based on the vehicle's purchase price. The same title transfer process applies to vehicles titled outside Tennessee and purchased for use in the state.

Tennessee Insurance and Registration Requirements

Although proof of insurance is not required for vehicle registration in Tennessee, a driver must show proof of financial responsibility to operate a motor vehicle. Failure to get car insurance or possess any other form of financial responsibility (usually by filing a surety bond or cash deposit with the state) can result in losing the right to drive or fines. In Tennessee, a passenger vehicle owner needs the following minimum limits of liability insurance:

• $25,000 for bodily injury or death per person in an accident
• $50,000 for bodily injury or death per accident
• $25,000 for property damage per accident

An individual who owns a vehicle with a commercial license plate in Tennessee must obtain a commercial auto policy. Vehicle owners in the state may also consider having uninsured motorist property damage or uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage as optional insurance coverage.

Tennessee Titling Requirements and Sales Tax

The following are required documents for Tennessee residents who want to title their vehicles with the state's Department of Revenue:

• Used (Preowned) Vehicles
  • Properly assigned certificate of title
  • Proof of residency and identification
  • Odometer disclosure statement (if applicable)
  • Affidavit or Non-Dealer Transfers of Motor Vehicles and Boats

• New Vehicles
  • Manufacturer's Statement of Origin
  • Proof of identification
  • Proof of Tennessee residency
  • Vehicle's invoice

• Out-of-state Vehicles
  • The most current out-of-state title and registration
  • Bill of sale
  • Proof of identity and Tennessee residency

Anyone purchasing an out-of-state or preowned vehicle in Tennessee is advised to perform a VIN lookup to trace the history of such a vehicle. In particular, it is important to check the vehicle's title history to ensure they are purchasing it from the rightful/authorized owner, which is vital for the titling process and sales tax purposes. Tennessee charges a 7% sales tax on every vehicle purchased. Counties may charge local and wheel taxes (up to 2.75%), which vary depending on the county. The state's Department of Revenue exempts certain military members from paying motor vehicle sales tax. However, this exemption applies only to vehicles titled and registered in the eligible individual's name, alone or jointly with their spouse or linear relative.

Tennessee-Assigned VINs

The Tennessee Department of Revenue issues a replacement vehicle identification number, commonly known as the TNVIN, in the following instances:

• Where a vehicle's VIN plate has been defaced, lost, or destroyed
• Where a car's VIN is no longer legible
• If the vehicle is rebuilt, homemade, or specially constructed and has never had a VIN

Once assigned, a TNVIN becomes a vehicle's unique identifier, just like a manufacturer's originally issued VIN, and will not frustrate a buying/selling process. You are covered under state law if you purchase a car with a TNVIN. It is legally recognized and backed up by official documents.