Federal Vehicle
History Search
Search federal records for any vehicle by VIN. Data from NHTSA, NMVTIS, FBI NCIC, EPA, and all 50 state DMVs. Report delivered instantly. Compliant with 18 U.S.C. § 2721 and FTC regulations.
It's Federal Law to Disclose Vehicle
History Before Every Sale
U.S. federal statutes require sellers to provide accurate odometer disclosures, title history, and recall status to buyers. Non-compliance carries criminal penalties including fines up to $10,000 and imprisonment.
All sources are official U.S. Government (.gov) websites. Click any reference to access the primary source directly.
U.S. State DMV
Official Directory
Direct access to every state's official Department of Motor Vehicles. All links verified and maintained by USA.gov Motor Vehicle Records. VIN Pro Check cross-references all 50 state DMV databases in every vehicle report.
Commercial Vehicle &
Truck Federal Records
Before purchasing any commercial vehicle, truck, or fleet asset — federal law requires disclosure of safety, title, and inspection records. All data sourced from FMCSA, DOT, NHTSA, EPA, and CBP federal databases.
| Class | GVWR (lbs) | Vehicle Type | CDL Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | 0 – 6,000 | Pickup, SUV | No |
| Class 2 | 6,001 – 10,000 | Heavy Pickup, Van | No |
| Class 3 | 10,001 – 14,000 | Medium Duty Truck | No |
| Class 4 | 14,001 – 16,000 | City Delivery | No |
| Class 5 | 16,001 – 19,500 | Bucket Truck | No |
| Class 6 | 19,501 – 26,000 | School Bus, Truck | No |
| Class 7 | 26,001 – 33,000 | Semi, City Transit | Yes |
| Class 8 | 33,001+ | 18-Wheeler, Semi | Yes |
Common Vehicle Fraud Schemes
These are the most reported vehicle fraud types investigated by the FTC, FBI, and NICB. Protecting yourself starts with knowing what to look for.
Sellers illegally roll back odometers to show lower mileage, increasing the vehicle's perceived value. This is a federal crime under 49 U.S.C. § 32703.
Fraudsters re-register salvage or flood-damaged vehicles in states with lax title laws to "wash" the title clean and hide prior damage history.
Criminals steal VIN numbers from legitimate vehicles and attach them to stolen cars, making stolen vehicles appear legal to unsuspecting buyers.
Unlicensed dealers pose as private sellers to avoid dealer regulations, lemon laws, and consumer protections. Illegal in all 50 states under FTC regulations.
Post-hurricane and flood vehicles are dried out, cleaned up, and resold without disclosure. Water damage causes catastrophic long-term electrical and mechanical failures.
Totaled vehicles are reconstructed and sold without proper salvage title disclosure, hiding serious structural damage that makes the vehicle unsafe and uninsurable.
Federal Laws That Protect You
These are the primary federal statutes and regulations governing used vehicle sales and consumer protection in the United States.
Prohibits tampering with odometers and requires written disclosure of mileage at time of transfer. Criminal penalties up to $10,000 per violation.
View Full LawRequires dealers to display a Buyers Guide on all used vehicles disclosing warranty information and known defects. Mandatory for all licensed dealers.
View Full RuleRestricts access to personal information from state DMV records. Protects consumers from unauthorized use of their vehicle registration and licensing data.
View Full LawRequires all states, insurers, and junk/salvage yards to report vehicle information to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System database.
View NMVTISGoverns warranties on consumer products including vehicles. Requires clear disclosure of warranty terms and protects consumers from deceptive warranty practices.
View Full LawManufacturers must notify owners and remedy safety defects at no charge. Dealers are prohibited from selling vehicles with open safety recalls without disclosure.
View NHTSA LawsAll 50 states have lemon laws protecting consumers who purchase defective vehicles. Coverage, remedies, and procedures vary by state — know your state's specific rights.
Find Your State LawProhibits unfair or deceptive acts in commerce including auto fraud. The FTC actively investigates and prosecutes vehicle fraud cases nationwide.
View FTC.GOVVIN Pro Check is an independent vehicle data platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by any U.S. government agency. Statistical data referenced on this page is sourced from publicly available government publications including NHTSA.gov, FTC.gov, VehicleHistory.gov (NMVTIS), NICB.org, and FBI.gov. All federal law citations are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. For legal guidance, consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction. Consumer fraud statistics are approximate and updated periodically. VIN Pro Check reports are sourced from third-party government databases and accuracy may vary. See our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy for full details.
If you suspect vehicle fraud, report it immediately to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and your state Attorney General. Vehicle fraud is a federal crime.
Smart Buyers
Check the VIN First.
Before you sign anything, federal agencies recommend every buyer verify a vehicle's complete history. This page is your official guide to buying a used vehicle safely using U.S. government resources.
10 Steps Every Smart Buyer Must Take
These steps are recommended by the FTC, NHTSA, and NMVTIS to protect yourself before purchasing any used vehicle in the United States.
Every vehicle has a 17-character Vehicle Identification Number. Before anything else, get this number and run a full federal report covering NHTSA, NMVTIS, FBI NCIC, and all 50 state DMVs. This is the single most important step in any used car purchase.
NHTSA VIN GuideOver 14,000 recalls are active at any given time. Dealers are legally prohibited from selling vehicles with open safety recalls without disclosure. Check NHTSA's official recall database before you buy.
NHTSA Recall LookupThe National Motor Vehicle Title Information System tracks title brands including salvage, flood, junk, and rebuilt titles across all 50 states. A clean title in one state may be a salvage title in another — this is called title washing.
Check NMVTISThe National Insurance Crime Bureau maintains a database of stolen and salvage vehicles. A VIN check through NICB cross-references FBI NCIC stolen vehicle records to ensure the car you're buying wasn't stolen.
NICB VIN CheckFederal law (49 U.S.C. § 32703) requires sellers to provide a written odometer disclosure. Cross-reference the stated mileage against service records, inspection stickers, and your VIN history report to detect rollback fraud.
Federal Odometer ActAlways have a trusted, independent mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase. Request an OBD-II scan for hidden fault codes. A $100–$150 inspection can save you thousands in hidden repair costs.
FTC Buying GuideAll licensed dealers are required by federal law (16 CFR Part 455) to display a Buyers Guide on every used vehicle. This guide discloses warranty terms, known defects, and your consumer rights. If a dealer doesn't have one — walk away.
FTC Used Car RuleA vehicle with an active lien means the bank still owns it. Buying a car with an undisclosed lien means you could lose the vehicle even after payment. Always verify lien status through your VIN report and state DMV before completing purchase.
CFPB Consumer GuideVerify the vehicle's crash test safety ratings from both NHTSA's SaferCar program and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). These independent ratings are critical for protecting yourself and your family on the road.
SaferCar Ratings IIHS RatingsEvery state has lemon laws protecting buyers of defective vehicles. If a newly purchased vehicle has repeated issues that can't be repaired, you may be entitled to a replacement or full refund. Know your state's specific rights before you buy.
Find Your State Lemon LawFederal Rights Every Buyer Has
These are your legal protections under federal law when purchasing any used vehicle in the United States.
You have the legal right to receive a written odometer disclosure from the seller at the time of transfer. Failure to disclose is a federal crime.
When buying from a licensed dealer, you are entitled to an FTC Buyers Guide disclosing all known defects and warranty terms before you agree to purchase.
You have the right to a clean, lien-free title at time of purchase. Hidden salvage brands, flood damage, or active liens are illegal to conceal from buyers.
Your personal information in DMV records is protected by the Driver's Privacy Protection Act. Unauthorized access to your vehicle registration data is a federal crime.
If your vehicle has an open safety recall, the manufacturer is legally required to fix it at no cost to you. Dealers cannot sell vehicles with open recalls without disclosure.
All 50 states have lemon laws. If a purchased vehicle has repeated defects that cannot be repaired, you may be entitled to a full replacement or refund under state law.
Common Questions Before You Buy
Answers based on FTC, NHTSA, and NMVTIS official consumer guidance.
Official Government Agencies That Protect You
These federal agencies enforce consumer protection laws for vehicle buyers in the United States.
Expert Tips for Smarter Buying
A VIN history report is the #1 most important step. Don't skip it regardless of how good the deal looks or how trustworthy the seller seems.
Use the DOE's official fueleconomy.gov to compare the vehicle's EPA-rated fuel economy and estimate real ownership costs over time.
Drive on the highway, stop-and-go traffic, and on rough roads. Test the AC, heat, all windows, all doors, and every electronic system during the test drive.
Use multiple pricing sources to establish fair market value. A price significantly below market is a major red flag for hidden problems or fraud.
Get all seller representations in writing including mileage claims, known issues, and any promises about repairs. Verbal agreements are nearly impossible to enforce.
Fraudsters and high-pressure dealers use artificial urgency as a tactic. A legitimate seller will give you time to verify the vehicle. Walk away if pressured to decide immediately.
Confirm you can get insurance on the vehicle before completing the purchase. Some vehicles — particularly rebuilt salvage titles — may be uninsurable or extremely expensive to insure.
Look for water stains on seat rails, musty odors, rust in unusual places, fogged headlights, and inconsistent electrical behavior. Flood vehicles are extremely dangerous long-term.
VIN Pro Check is an independent vehicle data platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by any U.S. government agency including NHTSA, FTC, FBI, NMVTIS, or any other federal entity. All government agency links go directly to official .gov and .org websites. Information on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consumer statistics are sourced from publicly available government reports including NHTSA.gov, FTC.gov, NMVTIS, and NICB.org. For legal advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction. See our Terms of Service and Data Methodology for full details.