Where does your vehicle data come from in the VINData History Reports?

The data in our VINData History Reports comes from many sources including records on file from the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS), police records, fire and insurance records, vehicle values providers, state and federal databases, data aggregators as well as many other proprietary sources.

NMVTIS is a database administered by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) and overseen by the US Department of Justice. NMVTIS is the only vehicle history database in the nation into which all states, insurance carriers, and junk salvage yards are required by federal law to report their data. For most state DMVs, it is the database of record that they check when they are titling out of state vehicles or need to get a vehicle’s history. Our reports match your state DMV.

Be sure to read our Report Sections and Data Sources pages for more information about how to read our reports and our data sources.

What is The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS)?

The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) was created through the Federal Anti-Car Theft Act of 1992, to help protect consumers from fraud.

Fraud types that NMVTIS helps to protect against include title washing. This happens when a vehicle is given a title brand like Salvage or Junk in one state, then the vehicle is titled in another state without the brand. Unsuspecting people might purchase that vehicle and not know the vehicle’s history.

Another type of fraud is VIN cloning, where the VIN of one vehicle is placed on another vehicle, or the VIN number is just made up.

NMVTIS also protects against stolen vehicles from being resold in another state.

Through NMVTIS, VINData History is an authorized provider and reseller of the DMV sourced title and brand data. The DMV sourced data also includes descriptive labels called brands which identity a vehicle’s current or prior condition such as ‘salvage’ or ‘flood’ and convey additional information and help protect consumers from unknowingly buying a damaged vehicle. VINData History includes more than 60 of these title brands in the VINData History Reports.

Through NMVTIS, VINData History Reports also provide junk, salvage and insurance total loss data, sourced from insurance companies, auto salvage auctions, vehicle dismantlers, auto crushers, junk yards and more. Data from these sources can indicate that a vehicle might have reached the end of its life. Because these non-government companies are required by federal law to provide data into the NMVTIS database, it is the most comprehensive available when it comes to reporting damaged vehicles.

VINData History reports NMVTIS information in real-time, meaning that we get the information from the provider at the time you requested the report.

VIN Data has successfully integrated with a diverse and complex customer base and has a deep understanding and history supporting custom client integrations.

What does it mean when there isn’t any data available for my VIN?

When this happens, it is because VINData History does not have enough information for the VIN you requested. You did not receive a report, and will not be charged. You may see an authorization on your credit card for the amount of the report. This is an authorization only and will be released by VINData History within 24 hours. Hold times may vary by individual banks.

Possible reasons for this response are:

• Vehicle is titled in a non-participating state from NMVTIS which includes Washington DC, HI, KS, TN, and VT
• No junk yard, salvage auction or insurance company has data for that VIN
• Vehicle is not titled in the United States
• Vehicle is considered new (never titled)
• Incorrect VIN entered or fabricated VIN

What states are available in the NMVTIS system?

Currently all 50 states and The District of Columbia are involved with NMVTIS at various levels of participation. (View NMVTIS participation map). Most states participate fully with NMVTIS, meaning they provide data to the system as well as make title inquiries before issuing new titles. Other states provide data into the system while they are developing the capacity to participate fully with NMVTIS. VINData History Reports data supplied by NMVTIS along with multiple other data sources.

The following state is in development and is expected to be in full compliance through NMVTIS soon: Hawaii. To be clear, junk, salvage and insurance total loss data provided via NMVTIS covers all 51 states and jurisdictions.

Does VINData History have vehicle history reports for motorcycles, Powersport vehicles, commercial trucks and RVs?

Unlike other major vehicle history reports, VINData History Reports specializes in reports for specialty vehicles. Our reports are available for motorcycles and medium and heavy (commercial) trucks and buses, and recreational vehicles (RVs) and motorhomes. Powersports vehicles like ATVs, OHVs, UHVs and snowmobiles are also supported in the states where those vehicles are titled by the DMV. Some salvage/junk/total loss data is available for commercial trailers, towed campers, toy boxes, etc., but those vehicles may not have any other data available.

Does VINData History have vehicle history reports for classic cars?

VINData History does provide reports on classic cars – those vehicles older than model year 1981 with fewer than 17-character VINs – by means of NMVTIS and other data sources. The VINData History Report usually show titles and events for these older vehicles starting in the year 2000, though each state DMV varies as to how far back their vehicle records extend. Most likely, you will not see the original title records for these older vehicles.

NMVTIS provides the current state and date of title for classic cars, and additional historical title events, vehicle values and other information reported to us is included where available. If VINData History is unable to provide any NMVTIS data on a classic car, an alert message is shown, and you will not be charged for a report.

Are VINData History Reports available for exported vehicles or for vehicles in other countries?

Yes, VINData History Reports can be run from any country for any vehicles that were exported from the United States and titled in participating NMVTIS states. Vehicles never titled in the United States will have not have records available. You can run a free record check from our home page to see if a report is available for any vehicle.

Are all accidents included on VINData History Reports?

VINData History Reports have collision or damage incident information from a number of sources, including DMVs in certain states, NMVTIS participating states and other independent sources. Not all accidents are reported to VINData History. Other report providers may show accident information that does not appear in a VINData History Report.

Typically, the most severe damage incidents result in an Insurance Total Loss record and/or DMV damage related title brand like junk, salvage or rebuilt brands, and are available in VINData History reports when NMVTIS reports the information to VINData History.

Is the name and address of previous owners included in VINData History Reports?

Because of the Drivers Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), name and address data sourced from DMVs isn’t allowed in a vehicle history report. Therefore, VINData History Reports never display owner’s names, address or any other personally identifiable information.

As stated on the web site and order pages, VINData History provides up-to-date information on current and historical title events including the date, state and odometer reading at the time of title and registration as it relates to the vehicle. In addition, title records can report one or more than 70 possible brand events. This includes junk, salvage, rebuilt, not actual mileage, lemon or similar brands or indicators as well as theft and other damage events that can result in an insurance total loss record.

Additional information regarding vehicle specifications, values, open liens, open recalls, damage or accident, vehicle for sale records and odometer records are also provided when reported to VINData History. Samples of VINData History Reports are easily viewed on the site to help demonstrate the format and types of data points displayed.

How can inaccurate data on a History Report be updated?

VINData History Reports show data from many data sources and sometimes specific records have not been updated or are inaccurate. Some data can be updated, while NMVTIS records cannot be changed by VINData History. NMVTIS sourced records includes state DMV contact info so that you may contact the state directly. Your feedback is always welcome at customerservice@vindata.com.

What do "Active Theft" or "Recovered Theft" records mean, and what should I do?

If your report displays "Active Theft", then the vehicle is currently reported as a stolen vehicle. It means that the vehicle has been reported as stolen to either law enforcement and/or to an insurance company.

To determine who to contact in the event the vehicle is an active theft, refer to the "Other information section" of the report. If there is an “ISO file number”, then contact the National Insurance Crime Bureau, NICB and be ready to provide the VIN and the ISO file number from the VINData History Report.

If the record on the VINData History Report does not contain an ISO number, please contact VINData History customer service and we will assist. If the record indicated "Recovered Theft" then no further action is needed and be aware that the vehicle has been previously reported as stolen but is now considered recovered. VINData History reports this information in real-time.

You should have any recovered vehicle inspected for hidden damage that may have occurred before it was recovered.

What does an "Open Lien" record mean, and what should I do?

If your VINData History Report shows that there is an open lien on your vehicle, it means that there is a loan that is reported to be outstanding (unpaid) on the vehicle. While it might not be a loan that you owe personally, an open lien might make it harder to get the title issued in your name. We usually provide a lien issued date and the name of the lienholder (lender) in the report. VINData History reports this information in real-time.

Contact the lienholder and have the VIN and a copy of the report handy.

What does "Open Recall" mean?

VINData History Reports tell you if you have a manufacturer or NHTSA open recall reported for the vehicle in question. While eventually all recalls can be repaired, there are recalls that do not yet have a remedy or fix identified by the manufacturer, or parts are reported as not yet available. In some cases, the recall is about a condition that is very high risk and means that the vehicle should not be sold or even driven, except right to the dealership. VINData History reports this information in real-time.

All recalls can be repaired at no charge to the owner by a dealer that represents the manufacturer. For the dealer near you, visit the manufacturer’s web site. Many auto and motorcycle brands are linked here for your convenience

Where does vehicle value data come from and how do I use it?

Vehicle valuation information is data that is used by buyers and sellers across the broader automotive industry. VINData History Reports provide valuation information from a number of well-known industry providers, including Black Book® and NADAGuides/J.D. Power. There are many factors that go into a used vehicle’s value, including who is buying or selling, and the vehicle’s age and condition. The values should be used as a guideline. Value information is constantly collected by the providers from auctions, retailers, online sales sites and more, The data is then analyzed and the information is published. VINData History gets this data in real-time.

Why are vehicle reported as impounded or towed?

There are times that a vehicle can be towed or impounded by law enforcement or other entity. These events happen during a theft recovery or for because it’s been abandoned or repossessed by a lender. VINData History reports this data in real-time.