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May 26, 2016

Illinois Vehicle Identification Numbers

According to the law in the state of Illinois, it is against the law for anyone to intentionally deface, destroy, or alter the VIN. It is also against the law for anyone to place or stamp and serial number, engine number, or mark upon a motor vehicle except for the one which is assigned by the Illinois Office of the Motor Vehicles. A person found violating this law can be charged with committing a Class 2 Felony. These laws, commonly called lemon laws, can be found in the Illinois Complied Statues (ILCS) – (625 ILCS 5/4-103) (from Chapter 95 ½, par. 4-103.

Illinois Statue where you can find the “Lemon Law” or the “Offenses relating to motor vehicles and other vehicles – Felonies”:

Illinois Compiled Statutes

Should I do a VIN check prior to purchasing a car in Illinois?

Yes. It is recommended that you always have a VIN check and a license plate check before purchasing a vehicle. The Office of the Illinois Secretary of State uses the database recommended by the National Insurance Crime Bureau, called VINcheck. VINCheck is helpful in determining if your car has been stolen, and not recovered, or has been reported as a salvage vehicle by an NICB insurance company.

Another searchable database that is very useful is the National Motor Vehicle Title Insurance, which is a database for cars that have been in the possession of auto recyclers, junk yards, and salvage yards. These places are often easy prey for thieves to steal VIN numbers from cars which have been destroyed. Therefore, they are more heavily regulated by the government and the data to be reported is mandated, including:

  • The name, address, and contact information for the reporting entity;
  • The VIN;
  • The date the automobile was obtained;
  • The name of the person or entity from whom the automobile was obtained;
  • A statement of whether the automobile was crushed or disposed of, or offered for sale or other purposes; and
  • Whether the vehicle is to be exported out of the country.

NMVTIS is not mandatory, but Illinois is one of the 40 states which is participating 100%.

The Office of the City Clerk of the City of Chicago also offers a search by license plate, VIN, driver’s license/state ID, or by previous sticker #. The City Clerk’s Office in City Hall can be reached at 312-742-5375 or at the website.

The main things that you want to know about your car and the reasons that you should do a VIN check are because you want to know things including:

  • Past Ownership –
    • How many owners the cars had?
    • What were the odometer readings when the car was sold?
  • Are there any liens on the vehicle?
    • If you purchase a vehicle which has a lien on it, the lien may transfer with the vehicle to you and you will be unable to have the vehicle titled in your name until the loan has been paid. In some states the individual who owned the car may have liens such as child support and they will get tied to the car. If you do not check for any outstanding liens, then you will assume responsibility for them when you purchase the car.
  • Title and accident history –
    • This includes accident reports, flood damage, and salvage title branding. Once a vehicle has been determined to be a salvaged vehicle or one damaged by a flood then that VIN number is permanently marked with that information. If you purchase a vehicle which has flood damage you may get a great price up front, but you will be paying for it in the long run as you will be forced to spend large amounts of money to make the car useable.
  • Brand History –
    • This will let you know if the car was used as a taxi, a police car, or any other service vehicle.
  • Faulty odometer setting & rollback alerts –
    • A seller may “rollback” the odometer so it appears that the car has lower mileage and allows them to increase the price of the car or the bluebook value; and
  • “Lemon” determination – if the vehicle has been identified as a lemon and been repurchased by the manufacturer then the VIN search will show that information which you would not have otherwise known.
  • A good question is “is the person who is selling you the vehicle the person who is listed on the title?” If you are purchasing from an individual you want to make sure that they are the legal owner. If you don’t have a title, then you are not the legal owner of the vehicle. A license plate search will tell you who is the rightful owner of the vehicle.

    DMV.org

    NICB database:

    Vincheck

    NMVTIS

    Illinois VIN

    Chicago City Clerk

    Illinois Secretary of State

    Lemon Law in Illinois

    Lemon Laws are laws which are written to protect the consumer from defective equipment. Consumers in Illinois are expected to try and resolve the problem directly with the dealer and the manufacturer, which is where the manufacturer’s warranty is useful. New cars which are defective in a way which causes serious harm and/or death should meet the criteria for the Illinois lemon law. The Lemon Law essentially assures buyers of new cars that if their car has a serious flaw that can’t be repaired, the owner is entitled to either a replacement or a refund.

    What vehicles are covered under the Lemon Law in Illinois?

    • New Cars (including leased cars);
    • Light trucks and vans under 8,000 pounds;
    • RVs;
    • Vehicles which are one (1) year old or less, or within the first 12,000 miles (whichever comes first); and
    • Vehicles purchased in Illinois.

    What vehicles are NOT covered under the Illinois Lemon Law?

    • Used cars;
    • Motorcycles;
    • Trailers;
    • Boats; and
    • Vehicles that have been modified or altered.

    Although the Illinois Lemon Law does not provide protection for all vehicles, the Federal Lemon Law, the Magnuson Moss Warranty Federal Trade Commissions Act, may provide the consumer with protection in certain cases, but you will need to check that out with an attorney or on a website.

    For a car to be covered by the Illinois Lemon Law, it must:

    • Have a non-conformity or a defect that must substantially impairs its use, safety, or market value; and
    • The non-conformity or defect is not repairable by the dealer or the manufacturer after at least four (4) attempts for the same defect. [It should be noted that usually repairs performed by the manufacturer or dealer will count toward those four (4) attempts, but some authorize service centers may be included]; or
    • The vehicle is out of service for a total of 30 or more business days.

    If your vehicle fits the criteria above, then you should contact the manufacturer of your car or the designated representative for your vehicle. It is imperative that you contact the representative and file the claims within 12 months from the purchase date of the vehicle. If you do not file with your representative or do not file at all within the 12-month period, then your right to do so will expire and you will automatically lose your claim. At this time, you should also contact the Attorney General in Illinois, so you can begin the claim process with the Illinois Dispute Board.

    It is imperative that you to keep notes of conversations (including dates and names of who you spoke with), receipts, dates of when your car was in the repair shop, and copies of correspondence because if the case goes to the, proper documentation will only serve to strengthen your case.

    Illinois Attorney General Lemon Law information

    DMV.org information about Illinois Lemon Laws

    Magnuson Moss Warranty-Federal Trade Commission Act

    Illinois Lemon Laws

    Illinois Attorney General

    Should you hire an attorney for a lemon law case in Illinois?

    Many companies are eager to settle lemon law cases because of the negative publicity which surrounds such cases; however, if you do not have the time to devote to such a case or are not well-versed in legal language then it may be wise for you to get an attorney. Remember that the manufacturer will have experts on their side and you have that right as well. An attorney can also help to expedite the court process and make sure that the manufacturer isn’t trying to shortchange you. They will know what documentation is needed and can explain whether your case qualifies for the lemon law in Illinois or not.

    Some things to look for when looking for a lemon law attorney:

    • Has the attorney handled other lemon law cases like yours?
    • Do they have any testimonials or client recommendations?
    • What is their track record of winning cases?
    • Do they have experience in Illinois specifically?
    • How much do they charge? Do they want the money upfront or are they willing to wait until the case is settled?

    If you do not have an attorney already it is a good idea to ask for recommendations from friends and family; however, if you have no clue where to turn the Illinois State Bar Association has a lawyer finder which can help you find an attorney.

    Statelaws.com for Illinois

    Dmv.org for Illinois

    Illinois Public Overview

    Illinois Lawyer Finder

    Roanoke Illinois Secretary of State Facility
    106 W Broad St
    1 309-923-6381
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Lincoln Illinois Secretary of State Facility
    2200 N Kickapoo St
    1 217-732-7617
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Peoria Illinois Secretary of State Facility
    Sterling Bazaar
    3311 N Sterling Ave #12
    1 309-686-6040
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Canton Illinois Secretary of State Facility
    1015 W Locust St
    1 309-647-6811
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Clinton Illinois Secretary of State Facility
    1275 IL-54
    1 217-935-5721
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Granite City DMV
    1810 Edison Ave
    1 618-877-2451
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Department of Motor Vehicles
    617 S Green Bay Rd
    1 312-793-1010
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Illinois Secretary of State
    405 Lake Cook Rd
    1 312-793-1010

    Secretary of State
    14434 S Pulaski Rd
    1 708-388-9199
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Drivers Licenses
    128 W Liberty Dr
    1 630-653-9580

    Olney Illinois Secretary of State Facility
    1302 S West St
    1 618-395-1702
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Drivers License Exam Station
    714 Grandview St
    1 217-466-5220
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Fairfield Illinois Secretary of State
    307 Market Ave
    1 618-842-9548
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Drivers License Bureau
    236 Main St
    1 815-684-5156

    Drivers License Bureau
    444 S Willow St # 2
    1 217-347-7728

    Sterling Illinois Secretary of State Facility
    1224 W 4th St
    1 815-626-2825
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Dixon Illinois Secretary of State Facility
    925 S Peoria Ave
    1 815-288-6685
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Jesse White Secretary of State
    321 S 2nd St
    1 618-664-0488
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Springfield Dirksen Parkway Illinois Secretary of State Facility
    2701 S Dirksen Pkwy
    1 217-782-6030

    Drivers License Exam Station
    418 S Poplar St
    1 618-532-1551
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Drivers License Bureau
    2010 School St
    1 217-532-5823

    Drivers License Exam Station
    120 Carlinville Plaza
    1 217-854-7086

    Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles
    1903 Mannheim Rd
    1 312-793-1010

    Salem Illinois Secretary of State Facility
    1375 W Whittaker St
    1 618-548-2381
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Joliet Illinois Secretary of State Facility
    201 Joyce Rd
    1 312-793-1010
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Drivers License Exam Station
    304 W 2nd St
    1 217-784-4351

    DMV – Tuscola State Facility
    211 S Main St
    1 217-253-2813
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Decatur Illinois Secretary of State Facility
    3149 N Woodford St
    1 217-875-1650
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Galesburg Illinois Secretary of State Facility
    1066 E Losey St
    1 309-342-1154
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Monticello Illinois Secretary of State Facility
    1205 Bear Ln
    1 217-762-2841
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Drivers License Exam Station
    330 N Main St
    1 309-734-2211

    IL Secretary of State Facility
    14434 Pulaski Rd
    1 312-793-1010
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Jerseyville Illinois Secretary of State Facility
    710 W County Rd
    1 618-498-5751
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Roscoe Illinois Secretary of State Facility
    10631 Main St
    1 815-623-9063
    Closed today

    Freeport Illinois Secretary of State Facility
    1050 N Riverside Dr
    1 815-235-4164
    Open until 12:00 PM

    DMV East St. Louis Facility
    8750 Church Ln
    1 618-397-9488
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Drivers License Bureau
    219 W 2nd St
    1 618-262-5713

    Springfield Klien and Mason Illinois Secretary of State Facility
    316 N Klein St
    1 217-782-4850
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Princeton Illinois Secretary of State Facility
    225 Backbone Rd E #2
    1 815-875-2617
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Drivers License Exam Station
    202 W Jefferson St
    1 217-285-5529

    Bradley Illinois Secretary of State Facility
    1111 Blatt Blvd
    1 815-933-1713
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Secretary of State
    650 Roppolo Ave
    1 312-793-1010

    South Holland Illinois Secretary of State Facility
    41 W 162nd St
    1 312-793-1010

    Moline/Silvis Illinois Secretary of State Facility
    Twin Oaks Shopping Center
    2001 5th St #10
    1 309-796-0934
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Driver Services Facility
    400 W Main St
    1 618-236-8750
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Driver Services Facility
    421 S Murray Rd
    1 217-892-8773
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Naperville Illinois Secretary of State Facility
    931 W 75th St #161
    1 312-793-1010
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Secretary of State Drivers Facility
    Eastgate Shopping Center
    837 S Westmore-Meyers Rd B27
    1 630-629-8305
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Chicago Central Illinois Secretary of State Facility
    Atrium
    100 W Randolph St
    1 312-793-1010

    Woodstock Illinois Secretary of State Facility
    428 S Eastwood Dr
    1 312-793-1010
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Wheaton Express Illinois Secretary of State Facility
    128 W Liberty Dr
    1 312-793-1010

    Chicago West Illinois Secretary of State Drivers Facility
    5301 W Lexington St
    1 312-793-1010
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Chicago Diversey Express Illinois Secretary of State Facility
    4642 W Diversey Ave
    1 312-793-1010
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Drivers License Bureau
    706 SE 3rd St
    1 309-582-2528
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Drivers License Bureau
    507 N Crane St
    1 815-844-5766

    Driver Services Facility
    1502 Troy Rd
    1 618-656-8956
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Macomb Illinois Secretary of State Facility
    466 S Deere Rd
    1 309-833-5661
    Open until 12:00 PM

    DMV
    480 N Kaskaskia St
    1 618-327-4184

    Mt. Vernon Illinois Secretary of State Facility
    320 Main St
    1 618-244-1183
    Open until 12:00 PM

    Secretary of State
    712 E South St
    1 312-793-1010
    Open until 12:00 PM

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