how to check to see if a car is stolen utah state attorney general

What is the official website of the DMV in Utah?

The official Utah DMV website is dmv.utah.gov. All official State of Utah website addresses, including Utah’s Motor Vehicle Portal (MVP), have “ utah.gov ” as the end of the main address, before any slashes. Be careful with websites that are not affiliated with the Utah DMV but also provide consumer services.

Does the DMV verify title information?

The Utah DMV participates in the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS). This system allows the DMV to verify the information on paper vehicle titles with the electronic title from the state that issued the title.

Where do I find my vehicle's VIN number?

The identification number can be found on a vehicle’s title and registration paperwork, and within the vehicle’s owner’s manual.

What does a vehicle report do?

If you are purchasing a used vehicle from a dealership or a private seller, a vehicle report can remove the guesswork from a vehicle’s history, and allow you to make an informed decision regarding your purchase. By becoming aware of any accidents or major repairs that a vehicle has been involved in, you can decide whether or not a vehicle is worth your investment.

Why is it important to get a VIN report?

It is especially important to request a VIN report if you are considering the purchase of a vehicle from a private seller. As stated previously, a vehicle report can provide valuable information, such as if an odometer reading has been illegally altered, if there is still a lien or lender on a vehicle or if the vehicle has been declared ...

What is a VIN number?

A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) acts like a serial number, and allows for the tracking of ownership, car accidents, reported damages and titling history of a car. Fortunately, A VIN number lookup is easily obtainable as you can request a vehicle history report online.

What does it mean to look up a VIN number?

When you look up a VIN, you will learn how many owners a vehicle previously had, as well as what the vehicle was used for in the past. If a vehicle has previously been used as a rental vehicle or taxi, this information will be displayed in the report. Additionally, odometer readings are reported each time a vehicle changes hands.

Can a vehicle be repossessed if it has an unpaid loan?

It is important to know that a vehicle that still has an unpaid loan remaining can be repossessed by a lender.

Can you view a report before buying a car?

Reports are delivered quickly, allowing you to view a report prior to making a purchase at a car dealership or from a private seller, as well as use a report as a form of negotiation if there is a derogatory mark on the report, itself.

How to get a release for a vehicle in Utah?

1. Perform a vehicle lookup. Enter your vehicle's VIN or license plate number, or the State Impound Form Number associated with the tow (if applicable), and click Search. (If you don't know the VIN or plate number, click here)

What happens if your vehicle is in the impound system?

If your vehicle is in the system, you will be presented with information relating to its tow, impound, and current location. Depending on what kind of impound it is, you will be given instructions relating to what do to release your vehicle. 3a. If your vehicle was removed from private property.

What happens if you DISAGREE WITH TOWING AND TOWING FEES?

IF YOU DISAGREE WITH TOWING AND TOWING FEES, you must contact the impound yard or towing company.

What to check when a car has been sprayed?

Check the doorjamb, moldings, and plastic cover items. Because any time a vehicle has been sprayed over these areas may be missed. Check the dashboard, which may not have been repaired due to the cost, right up to the molding, which may have chips in it. Check the roof and doors for body filler.

How to know if your car has been damaged?

Check both sides. It is unusual that both sides will be exactly the same when a vehicle has been damaged. Examine the paint. Check the doorjamb, moldings, and plastic cover items.

What is salvage title?

Branded Titles. A salvage vehicle is a vehicle damaged by collision, flood, or other occurrence to the extent that the cost of repairing the vehicle for safe operation exceeds its fair market value ; or a vehicle that has been declared a salvage vehicle by an insurer or other state or jurisdiction, but is not precluded from further registration ...

Can a brand be removed from a car?

No, brands are not allowed to be removed once the vehicle has been branded.

Can a salvage vehicle be removed in Utah?

If a dealer buys a salvage vehicle from another state with a branded title, can the vehicle go through the inspection procedure in Utah and have the brand removed? No, if the title is already branded by another state or jurisdiction it is not eligible to have the brand removed in Utah.

What to do if your car is stolen?

If the vehicle has been stolen, call the police and report the vehicle. In the U.S., you should call the NICB at 800-835-6422 or submit an anonymous tip to TIP411. You can also call your local police. Share as many details about the seller as you can: name, address, and appearance.

How to find stolen VIN number?

Search the VINCheck website. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) has a VINCheck database which collects the VINs for vehicles reported as stolen. Enter the VIN at the NICB website. You can perform five searches within 24 hours.

How to check if a car is cloned?

1. Contact your insurer. Your insurer has their own database which you can ask them to check for possible clones. Car cloning occurs when the thief pries the VIN plate off the stolen car and replaces it with a different one. The new VIN is often stolen from another car.

How many characters are in a car's VIN number?

Every car has a VIN, which you should check so that you can perform a search. The VIN is made up of 17 characters and is like the car’s Social Security Number. Don’t just accept whatever VIN the seller gives you. Instead, thoroughly inspect the vehicle yourself to find the VIN.

What to do when a car seller refuses to give you a bill of sale?

Demand a bill of sale. You want some sort of document that establishes you bought the car. If the seller hesitates to give this to you, then you should walk away. Typically, you’ll want a bill of sale, which should include the following information:

How to find out if a car was salvaged?

Perform a title search. You can perform a title search by contacting your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or an equivalent office and provide the car’s VIN. The report should list whether the car was ever salvaged or declared as a total loss by an insurance company.

Where is the VIN number on a car?

To check if a car is stolen, look for the vehicle identification number (VIN), which will be located near the dashboard in front of the steering wheel, on the inside of the driver-side door, in the rear wheel well above the tire, or somewhere else on the car.