West Virginia VIN Check
How to Perform a VIN Lookup in West virginia?
West Virginia VIN lookup involves searching a vehicle registered in the state for associated information and history using its vehicle identification number (VIN). Interested members of the public can look up vehicle records through their VINs using the Request for Vehicle Information System managed by the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The system requires entering the requester's information, selecting the intended use of the vehicle information/report, and providing certain details about the vehicle, including VIN. However, this service comes at a cost, depending on the request type and how much information the requester wants. Unless you obtain written consent from the person whose records you are requesting, the DMV will redact personal identifying information.
Another way to perform a West Virginia VIN check online is by using a reputable online third-party website that offers access to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) data. An example of such a website is GoodCar.com. To look up a West Virginia VIN with GoodCar, enter the vehicle's VIN into the appropriate field and select the search button. The search result will include the car's make, mode, year, transmission type, engine type, and market value. However, for a nominal fee, you can access more comprehensive details like accident history, sales history, mileage, title records, flood damage, recalls, salvage title, and ownership history.
How to Find Your Car's VIN Number?
The VIN is a car's unique identifier assigned to every vehicle at production. Consisting of 17 alphanumeric characters, a VIN can be found in various parts of a car. In most vehicles, you can find the VIN inside the door frame where the door latches on the driver's side. You can also find it between the dashboard on the driver's side interior wall and the windshield base. It is more visible at this location when you stand in front of the car.
In some cars, the VIN is stamped on the front of the engine block. However, you may have to remove some plastic paneling from the engine compartment to access the VIN here. Furthermore, it is common to find a car's VIN on its registration documents and the insurance card/policy document. A car's VIN can provide important information about it as encoded by the manufacturer. You can decode this information and learn more about your vehicle using the GoodCar VIN Decoder.
Why Should I Run a wv VIN Check?
There are several reasons to run a VIN check in West Virginia, particularly to make an informed decision when buying a previously used vehicle. Some of these reasons are outlined below.
Vehicle History
A VIN check can reveal invaluable details about the history of any vehicle registered in West Virginia and displayed for sale by any of the state's 169 used vehicle dealerships. Tracking a car's history can provide vital information to counter or confirm the seller's claims.
Title Verification
Accident History
West Virginia ranks among the states with the worst fatal accidents in the country. Some of the cars involved in these accidents end up in the used car market. A VIN lookup in West Virginia provides insights about a vehicle's accident history and the potential hidden structural damage that a dealer or private seller will not disclose.
Mileage Verification
Verifying the mileage of a previously used vehicle before purchasing one is crucial. Otherwise, you may end up buying a vehicle with a tempered odometer that will cost you up to $4,000 in additional costs. With a VIN lookup, you can obtain a vehicle's detailed mileage information and determine if there has been an odometer rollback, which the state’s Division of Motor Vehicle warns is illegal.
Recalls and Safety Standards
As of 2023, an estimated 20,000 vehicles in West Virginia had one or more safety recalls. However, a VIN lookup can let you know if a vehicle you are looking to purchase in the state is subject to a safety recall. Typically, several million cars are recalled yearly due to safety defects.
Theft Check
A West Virginia VIN check can let you know if a car has been reported as stolen, which is particularly helpful when shopping for a preowned vehicle. At least 1,797 vehicles were reported stolen in the state in 2021, and many of them would have ended up in the used car market. The consequences of driving a stolen vehicle are severe and may include going to jail and losing money if you get caught, even if you are innocent.
Natural Disaster-Related Reasons
While the state is prone to natural disasters like landslides, mudslides, and severe storms, flooding is one of West Virginia's most recurring and expensive disasters. In many cases, these disasters cause severe damage, including damage to vehicles. Hence, running a VIN lookup is critical to avoid buying one of these cars with heavy natural disaster-related damage in West Virginia.
West virginia Lemon Laws
and How They Relate to VIN Checks
The West Virginia Lemon Law protects vehicle owners and advocates compensation for those with defective vehicles. It covers motor vehicles purchased and registered in the state, including cars, vans registered as Class A vehicles, and pickup trucks. The West Virginia Lemon Law equally covers self-propelled chassis of motorhomes registered as Class A or B vehicles in the state.
The state's lemon law requires car manufacturers to repair any nonconformity reported by vehicle owners within the first 12 months of purchase within the warranty period, whichever takes longer. A nonconformity is a condition or defect that greatly impairs a car's use and retail value. So, a manufacturer must replace or repurchase any vehicle it cannot bring into conformity during the car's warranty after a reasonable number of attempts to fix it. A reasonable number of repair attempts under the West Virginia Lemon Law means at least three attempts for the same nonconformity with failed results or one attempt likely to cause serious injury or death while operating the vehicle.
Many lemon cars are being displayed for sale on the used car market in West Virginia, most of which no longer qualify for replacement or refund. However, a VIN check can save you from purchasing a lemon. Any comprehensive vehicle history report from a VIN lookup will indicate if it is a lemon.
The Title Transfer Process
In West Virginia, a car buying/selling transaction only becomes official once the seller transfers ownership to the buyer by properly assigning the title to the buyer, who must assume ownership by completing certain paperwork. Title transfer must be done within 15 days of buying a car, and the buyer must ensure that all liens on the title are released. If you purchased a car from a dealership within the state, the dealer will help you with all the paperwork, including titling.
You need the following to complete a title transfer process in West Virginia for a car bought from a private seller or an out-of-state dealership:
- A properly assigned certificate of title (co-signed by the seller and buyer). The odometer reading must be indicated for a vehicle model year 2011 and newer
- A completed Application for Certificate of Title for a Motor Vehicle (Form DMV-1-TR)
- A completed Odometer Certification (Form DMV-TM-1), if applicable
- Proof of a valid West Virginia insurance policy
- A notarized DMV Bill of Sale for a Motor Vehicle (Form DMV-7-TR) accompanied by a copy of the seller and buyer's driver's license
- Payment of title fees ($15) and applicable sales tax (6%)
- Out-of-state title (for a vehicle purchased outside West Virginia or a new resident in the state)
In addition to these documents, you must provide the following for a title transfer if the vehicle was purchased from an out-of-state dealership:
- The manufacturer's certificate of origin assigned by the dealer
- An invoice showing the car's purchase price (the dealer can complete the lower part of the Form DMV-1-TR as an invoice)
Once you have prepared all required documents and made the necessary payments, mail them to the state's DMV at:
Division of Motor Vehicles
5707 MacCorkle Avenue, SE
P.O. Box 17710
Charleston, WV 25317
West Virginia Insurance and Registration Requirements
You cannot title or register a car in West Virginia without insurance. Any vehicle registered in the state must carry an insurance policy issued by an insurance company licensed to do business in and sell insurance in West Virginia. The state requires all vehicles to carry the following minimum limit of liability insurance:
- $25,000 for bodily injury per person in an accident
- $50,000 for bodily injury per accident (for multiple injuries)
- $25,000 for property damage in an accident
It is the responsibility of a vehicle owner or driver to keep proof of insurance in their car at all times. You risk severe penalties for driving a vehicle in the state without the required minimum liability coverage limits.
West Virginia Titling Requirements and Sales Tax
The following are required to title a vehicle in West Virginia:
- A completed Application for Certificate of Title for a Motor Vehicle Form (Form DMV-1-TR)
- Certificate of Origin (for a new vehicle purchased from a West Virginia dealer or an out-of-state dealer)
- An invoice showing the purchase price or the dealer's price certification on the bottom of Form DMV-1-TR (for a car purchased out-of-state)
- Properly assigned title (for a preowned car bought in West Virginia or out-of-state)
- Odometer Certification, if applicable
- Payment of titling fees and the applicable sales tax
- Notarized Form DMV-7-TR accompanied by copies of the buyer's and seller's driver's license
Before purchasing a used car in West Virginia, verify that the VIN on the title matches the VIN on the car. Running a VIN lookup will help you confirm this easily. This will provide you additional assurance that the private seller is legally authorized to sell the vehicle to you. West Virginia imposes a 6% titling sales tax on vehicles with a net purchase price over $500 or $30 on cars under $500. However, West Virginia residents in the Military stationed outside the state enjoy a property tax exemption for one vehicle.
West Virginia-Assigned VINs
The West Virginia DMV issues replacement vehicle identification numbers/Hull Numbers to vehicles in the event that the manufacturer originally assigned VIN plates have been destroyed, lost, stolen, or altered. Any vehicle with the state-assigned VIN/Hull Number identifies the car and is officially recognized, even during a buying/selling process.
Why Choose GoodCar for West virginia 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 West virginia VIN Checks
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Who Issues A Vehicle's Vin Number In West Virginia?
Generally, VINs are issued by car manufacturers. However, in the event of VIN plate loss, theft, or alteration, the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles can issue a replacement VIN to a motor vehicle registered in the state.
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How do I verify a VIN number in West Virginia?
In West Virginia, you can verify a car's VIN using any trusted third-party vehicle search service like GoodCar.
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Is it safe to check a West Virginia VIN online?
Yes, it is safe to check a West Virginia VIN online. No unauthorized person can access your personal information through your VIN, per the Federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act.
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Do I need a VIN inspection in West Virginia?
While the West Virginia DMV requires a routine safety inspection for all vehicles once every 24 months, a VIN inspection is not mandatory.
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Are West Virginia VIN checks necessary for out-of-state vehicles brought into West Virginia?
VIN checks are not necessary to register out-of-state vehicles brought into West Virginia. However, to avoid legal troubles, it is best to confirm that the VIN on a car purchased from out-of-state matches the VIN on the certificate of title.
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What does a West Virginia VIN check reveal?
A West Virginia VIN lookup can disclose important information about any car registered by the state's DMV. You can expect to see information such as make, year, model, body style, accident history, recalls, title history, ownership history, theft record, lien record, and repair history on a typical comprehensive vehicle history report obtained by a VIN check
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Can you ask for the VIN from a West Virginia seller?
Yes. Asking a West Virginia dealer or private seller for a car's VIN is okay, especially for the purpose of looking up the vehicle's history to enable you to make an informed buying decision. Only a fraudulent seller will hesitate when you ask them for a car's VIN.