Utah VIN Check
How to Perform a VIN Lookup in Utah?
You can perform a Utah VIN check at the Division of Motor Vehicles in Salt Lake City if you are entitled to protected motor vehicle information as allowed under Utah Code Section 41-1a-116, 63G-2-201, and the Federal DPPA (Driver's Privacy Protection Act). Only in limited conditions and to authorized persons are motor vehicle records released by the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles.
There are alternative online methods to run VIN lookups open to the general public. Although you cannot access protected motor vehicle information via online VIN checks, you can view vehicle history reports using the NHTSA website and third-party VIN lookup services. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) allows the public to run VIN checks on its website.
To obtain in-depth vehicle history reports, use a reliable third-party online VIN lookup service like GoodCar. With GoodCar, you can get a VIN check done in a minute. On the website's homepage, type in the VIN serial in the search bar and select the Search button.
How to Find Your Car's VIN Number?
The VIN is a unique identifier for vehicles. It contains 17 characters and can be found in many locations in a vehicle.
You can locate the VIN by looking through your vehicle's windshield. Usually, there is a spot near the windshield's bottom corner on the driver's side with a small plate imprinted with numbers and letters. The VIN plate imprint in this location is typically about a quarter inch big.
You can also find the VIN on the driver's side door jamb. In this location, the VIN is printed on a sticker along with other vehicle information, such as the manufacturing date, manufacturing name, tire and rim sizes, and various codes and weights.
Additionally, VINs can be found on the insurance card, car registration card, and vehicle owner's manual. VINs are composed of four groups of characters, namely World Manufacturer Identifier, Vehicle Identifier section, Check Digit, and Vehicle Description Section. For a deeper understanding of each character in each section, use the GoodCar VIN decoder.
Why Should I Run a ut VIN Check?
A Utah VIN check is useful in Manufacturers may use VINs to track their vehicles while insurance companies may use it when quoting rates to check on information about vehicles they may be insuring. More commonly, individuals use VIN checks to check vehicle history information in the following categories:
Vehicle History
You can verify the status or condition of a vehicle sold by Utah used vehicle dealers. There are 324 used cars in the state as of 2021, an 8.7% increase from 2020 figures. By running a VIN check, you can check the condition of any of these cars to verify the dealer’s claims.
Title Verification
A VIN check can help you verify whether a vehicle has a rebuilt, salvage, lemon, or clean status. It can reveal this information for any of the approximately 3 million registered vehicles in the state, an average of 2.6 vehicles per household.
Accident History
About 300 motor vehicle crashes are reported annually in Utah. Some of these are minor damages, while others are heavy structural damages that a seller may not report. Running a VIN check will show you reported accidents in a vehicle’s history.
Mileage Verification
About 19,000 of the over 2 million vehicles with rolled-back odometer readings are thought to operate on Utah roads. A VIN check can help you verify the actual mileage of a car before you buy the vehicle. The Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division is in charge of odometer fraud.
Recalls and Safety Standards
More than 20,000 cars have urgent recalls with unrepaired faults in Utah. If you purchase any of these cars, you put your safety at risk. To avoid putting yourself at risk, run a VIN check.
Theft Check
Buying a stolen vehicle can result in legal complications and consequences. In 2022, an NICB report indicated that 7,082 cars were stolen in Utah. To avoid purchasing a stolen vehicle in that state, it is recommended that you perform a VIN check prior to purchase.
Natural Disaster-Related Reasons
Common natural disasters in Utah include flooding, wildfires, and earthquakes. These disasters can damage a vehicle, making it unsafe for use. A VIN check can tell you if the car has been damaged in a flood or other natural disaster-related causes.
Utah Lemon Laws
and How They Relate to VIN Checks
Utah Lemon Law protects car buyers who purchase vehicles with expensive issues. The law, which came into effect in 1975, allows vehicle buyers to get a refund or replacement vehicle for a defective car. Lemon is a tag used for a non-conforming vehicle. Nonconformity refers to a defect, condition, or malfunction that fails to confirm the express warranty or substantially impairs the use, safety, or market value of the motor vehicle. However, nonconformity does not include a defect or condition resulting from an accident, neglect, abuse, or alteration of a vehicle by another person who is not the manufacturer, or its dealer or authorized agent.
In a lemon car case, Utah lemon law requires manufacturers or vehicle sellers to disclose to potential buyers that a vehicle is a manufacturer buyback. Running a VIN check will help you determine if a vehicle has a lemon title brand. If a vehicle seller refuses to disclose that a vehicle is a manufacturer buyback, you can uncover the true title status of the vehicle with a VIN check.
The Title Transfer Process
When you buy a vehicle in Utah with a lien placed on it, the vehicle title remains with the lienholder until they pay off the outstanding loan. For you to claim legal ownership of the vehicle, you must have the title transferred to you.
In order to transfer a Utah vehicle title, visit the Utah Person-to-Person Online Title Transfer Service. While every title transfer scenario is unique, there are typical documents required for the title transfer process. These include:
- Certificate of Title - The seller must provide the original certificate of title or a completed Application for Duplicate Utah Title. The Utah DMV recommends the following considerations:
- Ensure the VIN/HIN stated on the document matches that on the vehicle
- Ensure the seller signs all required portions for the release of ownership. The Utah DMV requires vehicle sellers to sign in two places on the document.
- Ensure the previous lienholder has signed to release the lien on the vehicle.
- Ensure the purchase date and price are filled in correctly
- Ensure the odometer disclosure section has been completed if the vehicle's model year is less than 20 years. Form TC-981 may be filled out and signed by you (the buyer) and the owner
- Application for Utah Title
- Lessor's power of attorney, billing statement, and Utah sales tax number if the vehicle is leased
For an out-of-state title transfer, the following are required:
- Certificate of Title
- Application for Utah Title
- VIN/HIN Inspection
- Lessor's power of attorney, billing statement, and Utah sales tax number if the vehicle is leased
Utah Insurance and Registration Requirements
A No-Fault vehicle insurance policy with a minimum amount of liability and personal injury protection is required to operate a passenger car or truck legally in Utah. The minimum requirements in the state are:
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Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person and $65,000 per accident
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Property Damage Liability: $15,000 per accident
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Personal Injury Protection: $3,000 per accident
Utah law requires motorists to carry insurance proof when driving and be ready to present it to law enforcement upon request. A motor vehicle operator may provide evidence of the operator's or owner's security in an electronic form via a mobile electronic device.
The Utah DMV may suspend the vehicle registration if a motorist is convicted in court or found via a Safety administrative hearing of the Utah Department of Public to have been operating the vehicle without insurance. Utah considers it a Class B misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $400 for a first offense if a motorist fails to provide auto insurance. A second offense and a subsequent offense within three years of a previous conviction is punishable by $1,000 or bail forfeiture.
Utah Titling Requirements and Sales Tax
When you buy a vehicle in Utah, you must title and register it with the DMV to operate on the state roads. This process can be completed at the DMV office in Salt Lake City. You can schedule an appointment with the Utah DMV using the department's online Appointment Scheduler. At your appointment at the DMV office, you will need the original title or a bill of sale from the last owner of the vehicle. If you purchased a new vehicle, you must complete Form TC-656 - Application for Utah Title.
At your Utah DMV appointment, you will also need a Utah driver's license, proof of Utah vehicle insurance, payment for the applicable fees, and a completed Form TC-661. Sales tax on vehicle purchases varies per county in Utah, but it typically ranges between 6% and 9%. Military personnel stationed in the state are not exempt from Utah sales tax except in limited circumstances.
If your certificate of title is held by an out-of-state lien holder, and you recently moved into Utah, you are not required to obtain the certificate of title to transfer your vehicle registration to Utah. Rather, you will need to provide the following to receive a Registration Only:
- A copy of your most recent registration
- The name and address of the lienholder or leasing company holding your certificate of title. If the vehicle is leased, the lessor's power of attorney, billing statement, and Utah's sales tax number are required.
- VIN/HIN inspection certificates
Utah-Assigned VINs
The Utah Department of Motor Vehicle may assign Vehicle Identification Numbers to reconstructed vehicles, homebuilt vehicles or trailers, or vehicles that have had their VINs altered, missing, or defaced. To apply for a Utah-assigned VIN, submit a completed Form TC-162 to the Utah DMV.
Why Choose GoodCar for Utah 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 Utah VIN Checks
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Who Issues A Vehicle's Vin Number In Utah?
VIN Numbers are not issued by the state except for persons seeking assigned VINs for homebuilt vehicles or vehicles with missing, altered, or defaced VINs. VINs are issued by vehicle manufacturers at production.
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How do I verify a VIN number in Utah?
You can verify a VIN number in Utah using an online VIN check service such as GoodCar. First, you need to obtain the VIN from a seller or locate it on a car. After getting the VIN, type it into GoodCar’s VIN number search widget and click the search button.
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s it safe to check a Utah VIN online?
Checking a Utah VIN online via third-party online services is safe. No Utah or federal law prohibits the public from running a VIN check.
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Do I need a VIN inspection in Utah?
Yes, VIN inspections are required for all vessels or vehicles to be titled in Utah for the first time unless the vehicle is new and was acquired from an in-state manufacturer or dealer. VIN or HIN (Hull Identification Number) inspections can be completed by a peace officer, inspection station, Utah-licensed dealership, or DMV employee. Inspections must be completed using form TC-661 (Certificate of Inspection).
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Are Utah VIN checks necessary for out-of-state vehicles brought into Utah?
Yes, VIN inspections are required for out-of-state vehicles brought into Utah.
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What does a Utah VIN check reveal?
A Utah VIN check can provide a lot of information, including vehicle specifications, accident history, stolen alerts, recall information, title history, odometer readings, and lien information.
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Can you ask for the VIN from a Utah seller?
Yes, since VINs are publicly available information, you can ask for a vehicle's VIN from a Utah vehicle seller. This will allow you to run a VIN check to review the vehicle's history. Honest Utah sellers do not refrain from giving out VIN numbers to potential vehicle buyers.