Utah VIN Lookup

Buying used cars may be an excellent decision for persons looking to save money, but it comes with some risks. Used cars are affordable compared to new cars, usually offering a wide selection of vehicles at competitive prices. However, without proper due diligence, you may end up purchasing a car with hidden mechanical issues, a questionable title, or an unclear history. Utah is home to 324 used car dealerships, with a used car dealership rate of 9.9 dealerships per 100,000 residents. Similarly, the average price of used cars in Utah is $24,842, just slightly above the national average of $24,710.

Currently, Utah does not have a state law protecting buyers of used cars under the Lemon law, which is specific to new vehicles. Utah’s Lemon Law applies to new cars with defects that the dealer or manufacturer cannot fix after multiple attempts. Therefore, the responsibility to ensure the car is in good condition and has a clean title lies solely on the buyer. Consequently, to avoid falling victim to used car scams, it is crucial to conduct a thorough VIN check, using reliable sources, to avoid ending up with faulty cars and significant financial losses.

Why Performing a Utah VIN Check Is Important?

A VIN, or Vehicle Identification Number, is a unique 17-character code assigned to every car when built. The VIN acts like your car’s fingerprint, holding details about the vehicle, including its make, model, year, and history. Performing VIN checks in Utah is essential to ensure that the car you intend to purchase does not have a hidden past. In Utah, performing VIN checks can reveal the following information:

• Theft History: Recent figures show that Utah has a theft rate of 248 car thefts per 100,000 residents, with over 6,600 motor vehicle theft incidents annually. By conducting VIN checks, you can see if the car has been reported stolen, helping you avoid purchasing a potentially stolen vehicle.
• Auto Fraud Prevention: VIN checks can help with preventing auto fraud. Utah ranks 41st in auto-related fraud, with around 454 auto frauds reported annually. The state has a fraud case rate of 141.6 cases per 100,000 residents. VIN checks can expose auto fraud. It can reveal discrepancies like altered documentation, salvage titles, hidden issues, and ownership information that can help prevent prospective buyers from buying a car connected with auto fraud.
• Registration and Title Details: Per Section 41-1a-202(3) of the Utah Code, every vehicle may be registered before driving on state roads. Driving unregistered cars is a violation that can lead to fines of up to $500 and other penalties, such as driving privilege withdrawals and vehicle impoundments. By performing VIN checks, you get a clear picture of the vehicle’s history and confirm the car is registered, protecting you from legal complications in the future.
• Odometer Readings: Odometer frauds occur when someone deliberately rolls back the mileage reading to make the car appear less used. The NHTSA reports that over 450,000 cars are sold annually with manipulated odometer readings. By performing VIN checks, buyers can cross-reference mileage records from different stages of the car’s history to detect discrepancies and avoid overpaying for a vehicle with false mileage.
• Title Brands: Title brands are official designations on a vehicle’s title that indicate its past condition and history, whether it has been rebuilt, flood-damaged, salvaged, or classified as a lemon. A VIN check can uncover these brands through comprehensive vehicle history reports, aiding buyers to make informed decisions before purchasing used cars.

How To Perform a Utah VIN Check

In Utah, you can perform VIN checks using several state and federal resources, including:

• The Utah Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV): Although the Utah DMV does not have a dedicated portal to conduct VIN checks, searchers may still perform a VIN check using the Utah Motor Vehicle Portal. The portal requires users to input their name, plate number, and the last 4 digits of their VIN. This service allows users to access the title status of their vehicle but also provides information on whether the vehicle is legally registered in Utah, has any liens or title brands, and outstanding loans.
• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): The NHTSA provides a free tool to conduct VIN checks to verify the car’s details match the seller's information. The web tool, VIN Decoder permits searches using the full or partial vehicle identification number. The platform provides manufacturer information about the car, including the make, model, year, and body style. It also includes information on any recalls or safety notices.
• The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB): The NICB permits VIN checks using its VINCheck Lookup tool. When a VIN is imputed, the NICB checks its database and reveals if the vehicle has ever been reported as stolen or has a salvage history. VIN checks via this platform disclose if the car has been declared a total loss or rebuilt after damage. It also discloses if there are any indications that the VIN may have been tampered with or cloned.

Free vs. Paid VIN Check Services in Utah

Free VIN lookup services offered by government and nonprofit organizations provide basic information. On the other hand, paid VIN checks services offered by reputable providers like GoodCar, Carmart, and Carfax, pull data from multiple sources to give a complete, in-depth report. These premium services equip potential used car buyers with the knowledge to make informed decisions. Detailed VIN information offered by paid VIN check services include:

• Vehicle information
• Ownership history
• Market value trends
• Odometer verification
• Registration history
• Accident history
• Theft reports
• Auto fraud indicators
• Recall information
• NHTSA crash testing ratings
• Maintenance and repair records
• Lien information
• Title brands
• Inspection records
• Rebuild records and much more!

What Used Car Scams Are Common in Utah?

When buying used cars in Utah, it is important to be alert to the potential scams that can turn a good deal into a financial and legal nightmare. Scammers use various tactics to hide a vehicle’s true history. Recently, two men were sentenced for their involvement in an odometer fraud scheme in Utah, where they purchased older vehicles, tampered with their odometers, generated fake reports, and sold the cars at inflated prices to unsuspecting buyers. Being aware of these scams can help you avoid ending up with a car with hidden problems or a criminal past. Commonly used car scams in Utah include:

VIN Cloning:

In a VIN cloning scam, criminals copy the VIN from a legally registered vehicle and apply it to a stolen or salvaged car, making it appear to have a clean history.

Title Washing:

Scammers manipulate or “wash” a car’s title history to remove any negative information, such as flood damage or salvage branding, to make a damaged car appear to have a clean title.

Odometer Rollbacks:

In this scam, fraudsters tamper with the vehicle’s odometer to display fewer miles than it has been driven, misleading buyers to believe the car is in better condition.

Curbstoning:

In curbstoning scams, unlicensed sellers pose as private individuals and sell from public locations without proper documentation, offering lower prices and leaving buyers with vehicles that may have hidden mechanical or legal issues.

"As-is" Sales:

Some sellers use the "as-is" sale clause to withhold important information about a car’s history, leaving buyers responsible for unexpected repairs.

Fake Documentation Scams:

Fraudsters may present forged titles, registration papers, or maintenance records to hide a vehicle’s condition, making a car well-maintained and accident-free, when in reality, it may have significant underlying issues.

Persons intending to purchase used cars in Utah may protect themselves from commonly used car scams by taking the following precautions:

1. Verify all documentation. Discrepancies could be a red flag.
2. Do your research and ask questions.
3. Buy from well-known, licensed dealers or sellers with positive reviews.
4. Have a trusted mechanic inspect the car to identify hidden issues.
5. Always perform a thorough VIN check through trusted online resources, such as GoodCar, to get a complete history report.

How Do I Check the Status of My Vehicle's Title in Utah?

Checking the status of your VIN is an essential step for any car owner, whether you plan to sell your vehicle, refinance it, or simply want to ensure that your car’s history is clear. Knowing your title’s status can help you verify your ownership, confirm any lienholder information, and catch issues that could affect the vehicle’s value.

Motorists can use the Utah DMV’s Get Vehicle Title Status tool to check the status of a vehicle title online. The tool requires users to input their name, zip code, registration status, the last four digits of VIN, and plate number. You can also call the DMV at (801) 297-7780 or 1-800-DMV-UTAH (800-368-8824) to request your vehicle title in Utah. Utah DMV does not charge a fee to check the status of your vehicle’s title.

How To Register a Brand New Car in Utah

In Utah, registering and titling a new car are essential steps to drive your vehicle legally. Utah law requires residents to register and title their vehicles within 45 days of purchase from a licensed dealer or within 60 days of establishing residency in the state for new residents. Failure to register your vehicle within the stipulated period can result in fines, as driving an unregistered vehicle is considered an infraction in Utah, carrying a potential fine of up to $750.

Typically, titling establishes you as the legal owner of the vehicle, while registration permits the vehicle to be driven on public highways in Utah. Registration also provides you with license plates and validation decals. The Utah DMV oversees vehicle titling and registration in the state.

Generally, when purchasing new vehicles from licensed dealerships in the state, the dealer is responsible for submitting the necessary title and registration documents to the DMV on behalf of the buyer. The dealership may submit the documents within 45 days of the vehicle’s sale. The dealer may issue a temporary permit allowing the buyer to legally drive the car pending completing the registration. Where the dealer fails to provide the necessary title document within the 45-day window, the buyer may request a cancellation of the purchase in writing.

What Are the Requirements for Registering a New Car in Utah?

With over 2.8 million cars registered annually in Utah, registering your new car in Utah is crucial to ensure legal operations on public roads. Registering your new car establishes ownership, permitting you to drive legally. The following are essential to registering your new car purchased in Utah:

• Complete the Vehicle Application for Utah Title form
• Proof of Utah auto insurance
• The Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO)
• A copy of your Utah driver’s license or any valid state-issued identification
• Bill of Sale
• Payment of applicable fees and taxes

There is a $6 fee for a new title. The registration fees vary based on the vehicle type, weight, and county of residence. Generally, the fee for registering new cars is around $150. There is an additional $7 for license plates and $6 for certificates. Emission tests conducted biennially cost between $15 to $45. There is a $5 tire tax fee and a corridor preservation fee which varies per county.

Does Utah Mandate Vehicle Inspection?

Generally, Utah does not mandate routine safety and vehicle emission inspections in the state. However, vehicles in high-emission counties mandate vehicle emission testing to protect air quality. Consequently, vehicles registered in Salt Lake, Cache, Davis, Weber, and Utah Counties may undergo emission testing. These counties conduct emission testing based on age, model, and year, to ensure environmental standards are met and reduce pollution in densely populated regions.

Therefore, vehicles that are six years old or younger may undergo an emission inspection every two years. The testing schedule is determined by the vehicle’s model year: even-numbered model years are tested in even-numbered years, while odd-numbered model years are tested in odd-numbered years. Cars over six years old require an annual emission inspection, except for those made in 1967 or earlier, which are exempt from emission testing due to age. Likewise, rebuilt or salvaged vehicles are also required to undergo safety inspections as part of the registration process to ensure they meet the state’s safety standards before they can be legally driven.

While Utah does not require comprehensive annual safety inspections for all vehicles, VIN and odometer verifications are a crucial part of vehicle inspections. They help to confirm that the vehicle’s identification number is correct and that the mileage information is accurate.

How Do I Get a Replacement VIN in Utah?

Certain conditions may require replacement VINs in Utah. If your VIN plate is missing or no longer legible due to damage or tampering, a new VIN is needed to maintain accurate records of your vehicle's history. Also, homemade vehicles come without an original VIN. To legally register such cars to drive on Utah roads, you have to apply for a VIN. Again, vehicles declared total losses and later rebuilt require a VIN to indicate that they have been repaired and meet legal standards.

In Utah, the process of getting a replacement VIN is managed by the Utah DMV. If your VIN is altered, missing, or defaced, or your vehicle is reconstructed or homemade, you may complete the Application for Utah Motor Vehicle Identification Number form. Provide a sworn statement explaining why a replacement VIN is required. Include other supporting evidence such as the vehicle bill of sale for missing or defaced VINs, or a document verifying the build process for homemade vehicles. The Utah DMV requires an inspection of the vehicle to verify the condition of the VIN area. Once your application and documentation have been reviewed and approved, the Utah DMV issues a new VIN.

Does Utah Require a VIN Inspection for Out-of-State Vehicles?

Yes. Utah requires a VIN inspection when registering an out-of-state vehicle. The inspection verifies that the vehicle identification number and odometer reading matches the documents provided before the vehicle may be registered in the state. It also ensures that the out-of-state vehicle was not subject to fraud or tampering before being registered in Utah.