23
May 23, 2016

Arizona Vehicle Identification Numbers

The state of Arizona has an Authorized Service Website for the Arizona Department of Transportation. This website can help consumers obtain a Motor Vehicle Record Request for a fee of $3.00.

The state website also offers users a Lien Motor Vehicle Inquiry for those who are purchasing a pre-owned car in Arizona. If you purchase a vehicle that has a lien against it, you may be held responsible for the payment of the lien before you are able to transfer the title of the car into your name. There are two (2) types of general categories of liens:

  • Financial Liens –
    • Found on the front of the title in the area marked “lienholders;”
    • Are usually for a specified amount of time; and
    • When paid the owner of the vehicle receives a “lien release.”
  • Unresolved Financial Obligations –
      • Can be added electronically and are not physically visible on the title;
      • Are often for a specific amount of money vs. an amount of time;
      • Can be added or erased at any time;
      • Unresolved Financial Liens must be addressed and resolved before the title can be transferred into another person’s name; and
      • Can be attached to the vehicle based on the owner of the vehicle (ex. Child Support or court fines/fees are penalties based on the owner of the vehicle and their actions or in-actions.)

To protect yourself from unknowingly purchasing a vehicle with liens against it you should take certain precautions:

  • Don’t purchase a vehicle unless you are sure that you can transfer the title into your name;
  • Have a Lien Motor Vehicle Inquiry done when you get the Motor Vehicle Record Request; and
  • The buyer and the seller can go together to transfer the title. In Arizona, there are authorized third party providers open on evenings and weekends.

If you have additional questions, contact the Arizona Department of Transportation online, at, or you contact them in person at the address and phone number below:

Arizona Department of Transportation of Motor Vehicles

Department of Motor Vehicles

P.O. Box 2100, MD 555M

Phoenix, AZ 85001

602-255-0072

Authorized Service Website for the state of Arizona

Motor Vehicle Record Request from the state of Arizona

Lien Motor Vehicle Inquiry from the state of Arizona

Third Party Providers who are authorized by the state of Arizona

Arizona Department of Transportation

Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division

Why should you run a VIN Check?

There are certain agencies which will provide you with a free VIN check, including the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System and the National Insurance Crime Bureau give you a free basic VIN check. Other companies, usually private ones, are able and willing to provide more information for a fee. Even a basic free VIN report is better than none, and some can provide you with information about the vehicle which can include information such as:

  • Accident History – around six million car accidents are reported annually by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration;
  • Title Brands – flood, hail-damage, and salvage titles are examples of critical title brands to look for before you purchase a used car;
  • Look for used-cars that have had special-purpose designations – including taxi-use, rental-use, or police-use;
  • Faulty Odometer settings;
  • To check and see if the vehicle has been previously declared a lemon;
  • If there have been any airbag deployments;
  • In some cases, the title may be detailed enough to give you history on maintenance on the car; and
  • To check and see if the vehicle has been reported stolen and not been recovered.

National Motor Vehicle Title Information System

National Insurance Crime Bureau

Lemon Laws in Arizona

Designed to protect consumers from falling victim to faulty vehicles and the financial burden that often accompanies car repairs, “lemon laws” were created to protect consumers from deceptive advertising and to help buyers get a refund or a replacement if their motor vehicle is found to be defective. The law is designed to protect consumers from faulty vehicles, those who manufacturer such cars, and the financial burden that a faulty vehicle causes families.

The Lemon Law of Arizona can be found in the state’s Motor Vehicles Warranties Act and is found under the Arizona Attorney General. In Arizona, lemon laws apply to self-propelled vehicles intended primarily for use upon the highways. Although motorhomes are included in this description, the law refers to the self-propelled vehicle and the chassis, but it doesn’t include the areas of the vehicle which are designed, used, or maintained as either a dwelling or an office space. It does not include motor homes, or any motor vehicles, which have a declared gross weight greater than 10,000 pounds.

The Lemon Law in Arizona only applies to vehicles that:

  • Have a “substantial defect” during the period of two (2) years old or less, or has 24,000 miles or less, from the date of delivery of the vehicle to the consumer – whichever occurs first;
  • Has a defect which is covered by the warranty; and
  • The vehicle must continue to have the defect, even after the owner has informed the manufacturer of the defect and given them a reasonable number of attempts at repairing the car.
    • In Arizona, the consumer must allow the manufacturer four (4) attempts to repair the car. If, after four (4) attempts to repair the defect or if the car is being repaired for a total of thirty (30) business days due to the original defect, the consumer has then met their obligations.

If your car is defined as a lemon under the Arizona law, the manufacturer of the car has two options:

  1. They can replace your “lemon” car with a new comparable car; or
  2. They can refund your money.

Arizona is one of the few states that has a “Used Car Lemon Law.” Under the used car lemon law, if a major component of the car breaks in either the first 15 days or 500 miles, whichever comes first. Used car owners may still have to pay to $25 for the first two repairs. Consumers are eligible for a refund of the amount paid in the cases involving used cars.

You should keep all documentation and records in case you need them to help prove your case and be aware that there is a three (2) year statute of limitations from the date of delivery. Unlike other states, Arizona does not have a three (3) day “cooling off” period after purchasing a new car.

If you find out that your car is a lemon in the state of Arizona, you are encouraged to contact the manufacturer, file a report with the Better Business Bureau (AUTO LINE) and keep all documentation. If you believe that the purchase involved deception, fraud, or practices that would violate the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act you should contact the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. You may decide to consult with an attorney. If you do you should hire one located in Arizona who has had experience in lemon law cases.

Arizona Attorney General

2005 N. Central Avenue

Phoenix, AZ 85004

Phone: 602-542-5025

Motor Vehicle Warranties Act

Better Business Bureau AUTO LINE

Arizona Attorney General

Attorney General locations in Arizona

Claypool Motor Vehicle Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
4335 U.S. 60
928-473-2405
Open until 5:00 PM

Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division
Department of Motor Vehicles
20626 N 26th Ave
602-255-0072
Open until 5:00 PM

State of Arizona Motor Vehicle Division
Department of Motor Vehicles
4005 N 51st Ave
602-255-0072
Open until 5:00 PM

Arizona Department of Transportation: Motor Vehicle Division
Department of Motor Vehicles
1452 N Eliseo Felix Jr Way
800-251-5866
Open until 5:00 PM

Motor Vehicle Division
Department of Motor Vehicles
672 N Arizona Blvd
520-723-5338

Arizona Department of Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
200 N Adot Ln
800-251-5866

Arizona MVD
Department of Motor Vehicles
221 E Olympic Dr
602-255-0072
Open until 5:00 PM

Phoenix Northwest MVD
Department of Motor Vehicles
20626 N 26th Ave
602-255-0072
Open until 4:30 PM

Arizona Department of Transportation
Department of Motor Vehicles
4123 E Valley Auto Dr
602-255-0072

Arizona Department of Transportation – Motor Vehicle Division
Driver’s License Office
310 W 6th St
800-251-5866

Arizona Motor Vehicle Division
Department of Motor Vehicles
7339 E Paradise Ln
800-251-5866
Open until 5:00 PM

Arizona – Motor Vehicle Division
Department of Motor Vehicles
13009 W Bell Rd
602-255-0072
Open until 5:00 PM

Arizona MVD
Department of Motor Vehicles
7330 N Shannon Rd
520-629-9808
Open until 5:00 PM

Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division
Department of Motor Vehicles
575 N Idaho Rd #600
602-255-0072
Open until 11:59 PM

DMV
Department of Motor Vehicles
100 N Apache Rd
602-255-0072
Closed today

Arizona Department of Transportation
Department of Motor Vehicles
5224 E Charleston Rd
800-251-5866

Arizona Department of Transportation DMV
Department of Motor Vehicles
16380 N 59th Ave
800-251-5866
Open until 5:00 PM

Arizona Motor Vehicle Division
Department of Motor Vehicles
1703 E Larkspur Ln
800-251-5866
Open until 5:00 PM

Motor Vehicle Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
601 N La Cañada Dr #102
800-251-5866
Open until 5:00 PM

Glendale MVD
Department of Motor Vehicles
16380 N 59th Ave
602-255-0072
Open until 5:00 PM

Prescott Motor Vehicles Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
1105 Commerce Dr
800-251-5866

MVD
Department of Motor Vehicles
1851 S Milton Rd
800-251-5866
Open until 5:00 PM

Motor Vehicle Department
Department of Transportation
1360 S Stocker Dr
520-629-9808
Open until 4:00 PM

Parker Motor Vehicle Division
Department of Motor Vehicles
29305 Mutahar Street
928-669-2143
Open until 5:00 PM

Motor Vehicle Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
Mile Post 476
800-251-5866
Open until 4:30 PM

Commercial Drivers License office
Department of Motor Vehicles
621 E 22nd St
520-628-5857
Open until 5:00 PM

Motor Vehicle Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
397271 AZ-75
928-687-1211
Closed today

Motor Vehicle Division
Department of Motor Vehicles
south 85713, 3565 S Broadmont Dr
520-629-9808
Open until 5:00 PM

GG&D Motor Vehicle Services
Driver’s License Office
7207 S Central Ave
602-889-7096
Open until 9:00 PM

Arizona State Express Services
Department of Motor Vehicles
20924 N John Wayne Pkwy
520-568-9299
Open until 6:00 PM

GG&D Motor Vehicle Services
Department of Motor Vehicles
1120 S Country Club Dr
480-889-6076
Open until 9:00 PM

Motor Vehicle Division
Department of Motor Vehicles
122 AZ-260
928-474-2050

GG&D Motor Vehicle Services
Department of Motor Vehicles
2302 E Bell Rd
602-889-4180
Open until 9:00 PM

Motor Vehicle Division
Department of Motor Vehicles
1840 S Mesa Dr
602-712-7011
Open until 5:00 PM

MVD
Department of Motor Vehicles
4123 E Valley Auto Dr
602-712-5277
Open until 5:00 PM

GG&D Motor Vehicle Services
Driver’s License Office
4307 W Glendale Ave
623-512-4645
Open until 9:00 PM

GG&D Motor Vehicle Services
Department of Motor Vehicles
1160 E Van Buren St
602-254-5401
Open until 9:00 PM

Apache Junction MVD
Department of Motor Vehicles
575 N Idaho Rd #600
602-255-0072
Open until 5:00 PM

Desert Title and Tag MVD Services
Department of Motor Vehicles
2915 E Baseline Rd
480-619-4200
Open until 6:00 PM

Desert Title and Tag MVD Services
Department of Motor Vehicles
1170 E Deuce of Clubs
928-532-4411
Open until 5:00 PM

Desert Title and Tag MVD Services
Department of Motor Vehicles
5671 N Oracle Rd
520-293-2933
Open until 5:00 PM

MVP Motor Vehicle Processing
Department of Motor Vehicles
132 W Maley St
520-766-4718

Transportation-Motor Vehicle
Department of Motor Vehicles
190 N Redington Rd
520-385-2100
Open until 4:30 PM

TSI Title & Registration Services
Department of Motor Vehicles
Shoppes At Clemente Ranch
2040 S Alma School Rd #23
480-855-1638
Open until 6:00 PM

ADOT Motor Vehicle Division
Department of Motor Vehicles
3670 E Andy Devine Ave
928-681-6300
Open until 5:00 PM

Arizona MVD
Department of Motor Vehicles
2165 Gila Ridge Rd
800-251-5866
Open until 5:00 PM

Az Title & Registrations
Title Company
301 W Deer Valley Rd Suite 10
623-582-1443
Open until 6:00 PM

Wickenburg MVD
Department of Motor Vehicles
472 E Wickenburg Way #304
800-251-5866

Motor Vehicle-Drivers License
Department of Motor Vehicles
5224 Charleston Rd
520-458-3220

Best Buy Insurance & Title Services
Insurance Agency
5146 W McDowell Rd
602-272-2300
Open until 6:00 PM

Desert Title and Tag MVD Services
Association or Organization
2815 S Alma School Rd
480-777-9820
Open until 5:00 PM

Arizona Loan Solutions LLC
Loan Agency
4401 US-89 #3
928-527-3757
Open until 6:00 PM

Third Party MVS Services
License Bureau
1801 E Main St
480-833-1557
Open until 9:00 PM

Emissions Testing Station
Department of Motor Vehicles
501 W Deer Valley Rd
602-771-3950
Open until 7:00 PM

Fredonia Motor Vehicle Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
699 N Main
800-251-5866
Closed today

ASAP Title Services
Title Company
8729 S Kyrene Rd #111
480-777-2891
Open until 6:00 PM

DMV
Department of Motor Vehicles
16140 W Eddie Albert Way

AZ Title & Registrations II
Public Works Department
8350 E Evans Rd
480-367-7961
Opens at 10:00 AM

ADEQ Vehicle Emissions Testing Station
Government Office
e, 4949 E Madison St
602-771-3950
Open until 7:00 PM

Vehicle Emissions Test Station
Car Inspection Station
3931 N Business Center Dr
877-692-9227
Open until 7:00 PM

Comments 0