Washington VIN Check

Vehicle History

A VIN check in Washington on any car you intend to purchase will return a vehicle's history report containing useful information that can help you make a buying decision from any of the over 416 used car dealers in the state. A comprehensive vehicle history report will include details about a vehicle's title status, mileage, accidents, sale history, and past major repairs.

Title Verification

A Washington VIN check ascertains a car’s title status and verifies that the VIN on the car matches what is on the title. The state has at least 7.8 million registered vehicles. Looking up any of them for its title history will return a title report beginning from when it left the factory to the present day, which can help you avoid a stolen vehicle.

Accident History

You are advised to run a VIN lookup in Washington before purchasing a preowned car to determine whether the vehicle has been involved in one or more accidents. Not less than 20,000 auto accidents are reported in the state annually. Any comprehensive VIN check report will include its accident history, the affected parts/components, severity, repairs applied, and any hidden structural issues resulting from an accident.

Mileage Verification

Although vehicle sellers roll back odometer readings to enhance the prices of cars, a VIN lookup can prevent you from falling victim to odometer fraud in Washington. The Washington Department of Licensing frowns at odometer rollback because it is illegal in the state. In 2023, about 30,600 cars have rolled-backed odometers, a 10% increase from the previous year.

Recalls and Safety Standards

When shopping for a used vehicle in Washington, confirm whether a vehicle has an outstanding safety recall by running a VIN check. In 2023, about 95,000 vehicles were subject to safety recalls in the state, making Washington one of the states with the highest number of urgent recalls. Most recalls concern vehicle and passenger safety, which should not be taken lightly when using a car.

Theft Check

You can tell if a vehicle has been reported as stolen by running a VIN check, and this is highly advised when shopping for a previously used vehicle in Washington. According to reports, the state ranked among the top 3 places in the United States with a high car theft rate in 2023, and some of these cars will likely hit the used car market. Hence, obtaining a vehicle history report becomes important to determine if the car you intend to purchase has ever been reported as stolen and to prevent potential legal consequences.

Natural Disaster-Related Reasons

Washington has a long history of various natural disasters, including flooding, severe storms, mudslides, and landslides, all of which have left many vehicles with damage of varying degrees. Some of these vehicles may have even been declared totaled due to the damage caused by floods or mudslides but will still find their way into the used car market after repairs. However, with a VIN check, you can determine if flooding, mudslides, or a severe storm have previously damaged the car you intend to purchase in Washington.

The Title Transfer Process

In Washington, you have 15 days to transfer the ownership of a vehicle purchased from a private seller to your name to avoid certain penalties. If you bought it from a dealer, the dealer is expected to transfer its title to you within 45 days of the date the vehicle was delivered. Unless you opt to do it yourself, a Washington dealer will handle the title transfer process for any car you purchase from them. However, you must provide the dealership with your unexpired Washington driver's license unless you are exempt from obtaining a driver's license under RCW 46.20.025. You may need to handle the title transfer for a car bought from an out-of-state dealer.

As part of the title transfer process, you must prepare the following documents for any vehicle purchased from a private seller in Washington:

• Properly assigned current certificate of title (the odometer disclosure section of the title must be completed for vehicle model year 2011 and newer)
• Notarized Vehicle Title Application Form (you should sign this form only when you are in front of a license agent at a local vehicle licensing office or with a notary public)
• Vehicle/Vehicle Bill of Sale Form completed by the seller and the buyer
• Odometer disclosure form, if you do not have the title. You can get this form at your local vehicle licensing office (you cannot download it)
• Payment of necessary fees (contact a vehicle licensing office to know the exact amount)

All required forms/documents should be submitted to the nearest vehicle licensing office. Your new title will be ready within six to eight weeks after submission. However, if you want to get your title immediately or within a few working days, you can submit all the necessary documents to a Quick Title office in person. This comes at an additional $50 fee.

Washington Insurance and Registration Requirements

While a vehicle owner in Washington can title or register their car without insurance, driving without appropriate insurance coverage in the state is illegal. Generally, you must have liability insurance or another means of assuming financial responsibility for damages if you own a car registered in Washington. The mandatory forms of motor vehicle insurance are listed below:

• The minimum limits of liability coverage you can obtain include the following:
  • $25,000 for bodily injury or death per person in any one accident
  • $50,000 for bodily injury or death per accident
  • $10,000 for property damage per accident
• Certificate of deposit showing a deposit of at least $60,000 in a bank set up for Washington or as collateral with the state's Department of Licensing
• Self-insurance certificate for anyone who has at least 26 vehicles
• Liability bond for at least $60,000 filed by a surety bond company authorized to do business in the state

Washington Titling Requirements and Sales Tax

You need the following to apply for a Washington title:

• Valid proof of identification (preferably a Washington driver's license)
• Proof of vehicle ownership
• Manufacturer Statement of Origin (for a brand new motor vehicle)
• Properly assigned title (for a preowned car)
• Affidavit of Loss/Release of Interest Form
• Bill of Sale
• Notarized Vehicle Title Application Form
• Odometer disclosure statement
• Primary Residence Address Exception (if your address is outside Washington State or mail delivery is unavailable at your Washington address)

If you purchased a preowned vehicle, ensure to perform a VIN check on it to confirm its title history and ascertain that the car's VIN matches the one on the title. Payment of use tax is also a part of the titling requirements in Washington State, but it varies by county. However, military personnel (active-duty members) who are Washington residents may be exempt from paying Washington use tax if they purchase a vehicle while stationed outside the state. Non-resident military personnel stationed in Washington also qualify for this exemption.

Washington-Assigned VINs

Washington does not issue VINs. All vehicles registered in the state bear the vehicle identification numbers assigned by the manufacturers.