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May 26, 2016

Kansas Vehicle Identification Number
How do I get a VIN history in the state of Kansas?

The state of Kansas provides lemon law protection for consumers in the law in section 50-645: Motor Vehicle Warranties, Consumer Rights & Remedies, Enforcement by Attorney General and 40-646: Other Remedies. The state offers VIN checks through a state website which allows residents to conduct motor vehicle records checks based on the Federal Drivers’ Privacy Protection Act of 1994. However, the VIN report that you may get from the state may not the same as the ones that you would get from other sources, but rather a compilation of information from different sites, including NMVTIS and auction sites such as E-bay or Copart. The VIN report from Kansas should provide the consumer with information including:

  • Basic information which includes records related to the decommissioning or disposal of cars;
  • Any history of flood damage;
  • Any history of accidents which resulted in the total loss of the vehicle;
  • The history of the odometer reading;
  • Any results of state inspections which showed harmful emission readings;
  • Records about technical services;
  • The use of the vehicle (taxi, rental, lease, etc.); and
  • If there are currently any outstanding liens on the vehicle.

This report can also be obtained at your local Kansas DMV office, which can be found by searching the state of Kansas website for motor vehicle records.

Kansas VIN search

Should you run additional VIN Checks in Kansas?

Yes. Although the state complies a list with a variety of sources, you can always get a free VIN check from the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System and the National Insurance Crime Bureau. NMVTIS is known for working with salvage yards and junk yards to obtain information and currently 40 states participate 100%. This system has helped to identify cars which were previously declared total losses in floods or have been reported stolen. The National Insurance Crime Bureau is particularly useful to check if a car has been reported stolen and not recovered. You don’t want to go to get your new title only to find out that you have purchased a stolen vehicle

Kansas Department of Revenue

Brochure from the Kansas Attorney General

Kansas Lemon Law

Kansas Lemon Law-Findlaw

What is the Lemon Law

Lemon Law in Kansas

NMVTIS

VINCheck – recommended by the NICB

There are also private companies which will run VIN checks which may cost you some money. However, in the long run it would be worth it to spend the money on a VIN check which alerts you to any possible liens currently on the car, if the car is stolen, if the car has been previously declared a lemon, or has been in a flood or a car accident in which it was declared totaled.

Lemon Laws in Kansas

The Kansas Lemon Law covers only new vehicles which are used for personal reasons. It does not cover motor homes, motorcycles, vehicles weighing over 12,000 pounds, or those which are used for commercial purposes. Vehicle converters are not covered. Much like other states, the car must have a substantial defect which both impairs the use of the car, making the car dangerous and likely to result in severe injuries or death if driven, AND it must reduce the market value to the car must be significantly. (It should be noted that rattles and squeaks do not substantially impair either the use or market value of a vehicle and are not covered.)

Under the Kansas Lemon Law there are specific definitions and specific numbers when trying to resolve a lemon law issue. First, your car must qualify as a lemon under the Kansas state law. To achieve this, your car must meet the following criteria:

  • The car must have a substantial defect which both significantly impairs the use of the vehicle AND it significantly impairs with market value of the car within one year of the date of purchase; AND
  • The consumer must give the car dealer at least four (4) or more attempts to fix the defect OR at least ten (10) attempts were made to fix many defects OR the car must have unusable due to its need for repairs for more than thirty (30) business days, which need not be consecutive, during the first year of ownership or the terms of the warranty, whichever comes first. The state offers a defense to manufacturers if they can prove:
    • The alleged nonconformity does not substantially impair the use and value of the vehicle; or
    • A nonconformity is due to the abuse, neglect, or unauthorized modification or alteration of a vehicle by a consumer.

If the vehicle does not conform to all applicable warranties then you should report this as soon as you are aware that there is a problem to the manufacturer of the vehicle; however, by the law of the state of Kansas a consumer has one (1) year from the date of delivery up to throughout the warranty. Manufacturers are responsible for repairs even if the warranty or one-year term has expired. If the manufacturer, it’s agents or authorized retailers, are unable to conform a vehicle to the warranty after a reasonable number of attempts then they must either replace or repair the vehicle.

The state of Kansas has defined reasonable number of attempts, and includes any of the following:

  • During the term of the warranty or within one-year (1 year) of the date of the delivery of the motor vehicle to the consumer, whichever comes first, the manufacturer, its agents or authorized dealers, have attempted to repair the vehicle, and the defect or nonconformity continues to exist;
  • During the term of any warranty or within one-year (1 year) following the vehicle’s original delivery to the consumer, whichever comes first, the vehicle has been out of service due to repair for a total of thirty (30) days or more; OR
  • There have been ten (10) or more attempts by the manufacturer, its agents or authorized dealers, to repair any nonconformities or defects that substantially impair the value and use of the motor vehicle to the consumer.

The terms of any warranty, the one-year period (1-year period), and the thirty-day period (30-day period) are extended if repair services are not available to the consumer due to war, invasion, strike, fire, flood, or other natural disaster. Another assumption that the law makes regarding reasonable number of repair attempts is that the consumer has notified the manufacturer of the defect or nonconformity.

Many manufacturers have an informal dispute settlement procedure (you can find out by looking in your owner’s manual) in which you must participate, or your lawsuit will not be considered.

Consumers who feel that they have been victims of the lemon law are also encouraged to contact the Better Business Bureau Auto Line at 1-800-955-5100. The BBB also has an arbitration service or manufacturer’s warranty dispute program for many car manufacturers and can help give you information on what agency or organization would be the best to handle the complaint. The Kansas Attorney General has a Consumer Line at 800-432-2310 or 785-296-2424 and a website.

Kansas BBB Auto Line

http://ag.ks.gov/

Kansas Attorney General Lemon Law Brochure

Should I hire an attorney for a Lemon Law Case?

While many consumers handle vehicles that are lemons on their own, you have the right to hire an attorney to represent you. The lemon law was set up so that consumers can hold car manufacturers responsible for problems without the assistance of an attorney; however, you should remember that the car manufacturer will have experts on their side and you can as well. An attorney will also know if they can ask for compensation for other expenses from the manufacturer such as: rental cars (if applicable,) hotel rooms, (if applicable,) and attorney fees. If you choose to retain an attorney, you should ask your friends and family if they have any recommendations. Be sure and find one who is familiar with the lemon laws in the state of Kansas and has experience working with lemon law cases. You can always contact the Kansas Bar Association for a list of lawyers in your area.

You should ask any potential attorneys:

  • What number of cases have they won and lost?
  • How many of cases have been lemon law cases?
  • Are they familiar with Kansas law?
  • Are they licensed to practice in Kansas?
  • Do they take cases on a contingency basis?

When a lawyer takes a case on a contingency basis then they do not get paid unless you win your case.

Kansas Bar Association For the Public

Kansas Division of Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
915 SW Harrison St
1 785-296-3963

Department of Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
3907 SW Burlingame Rd
1 785-296-3671
Open until 5:00 PM

Johnson County Motor Vehicle
Department of Motor Vehicles
782 N Ridgeview Rd
1 913-826-1800

Kansas Driver’s License Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
640 N Andover Rd
1 316-733-0106
Closing soon: 11:00 AM

Drivers License Department
Driver’s License Office
139 E 8th St
1 785-238-1814

Johnson County Motor Vehicle
Department of Motor Vehicles
6000 Lamar Ave
1 913-826-1800

Drivers License Department
Driver’s License Office
22215 D St
1 620-221-7793

Dodge City Division of Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
2601 Central Ave #3
1 620-227-3944

Lawrence Driver License Station
(6) · Department of Motor Vehicles
1035 N 3rd St
1 785-843-9593

Drivers License Examiner
Department of Motor Vehicles
2000 E South Front St
1 620-241-6153

Drivers License Exam Office
Driver’s License Office
125 W 2nd Ave
1 620-665-5561

Kansas Drivers License Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
1951 N 63rd Dr
1 913-287-2900

Geary County Motor Vehicle Office
Department of Motor Vehicles
200 E 8th St
1 785-238-8109

Kansas Drivers License
Department of Motor Vehicles
225 S Walnut St #101
1 785-242-1276

Emporia Driver License Office
Driver’s License Office
1640 Industrial Rd
1 620-342-5146

Kansas Driver License
Driver’s License Office
6507 Johnson Dr
1 913-432-2266
Closing soon: 11:15 AM

Drivers License Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
1222 Canterbury Dr
1 785-625-6917

Motor Vehicle-Drivers License
Department of Motor Vehicles
2506 N John St
1 620-276-8411

Leavenworth Driver’s License Office
Driver’s License Office
111 Delaware St
1 913-651-6947

Independence DMV
Department of Motor Vehicles
200 Arco Pl #119
1 620-331-8202

Drivers License Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
615 N Kansas Ave #B
1 620-626-8727

Kansas City DMV
Department of Motor Vehicles
615 E 13th St #111
1 816-842-4100

Drivers License Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
2910 Arnold Ave
1 785-825-0321

Johnson County Motor Vehicle
Department of Motor Vehicles
111 S Cherry St
1 913-715-2600

DMV Office
Department of Motor Vehicles
2330 N Maize Rd
1 316-660-9110

Kansas Driver License Examiner
Department of Motor Vehicles
425 F St
1 785-543-5594

Kansas Driver’s License Exam Station
Driver’s License Office
3907 SW Burlingame Rd
1 785-266-8431
Opens at 7:30 PM

Kansas Drivers License
Driver’s License Office
8200 S Port Dr #105
1 785-537-2140

Drivers License Department
Driver’s License Office
1 N Washington St #7
1 620-365-5971

Cloud County Treasurer
Department of Motor Vehicles
811 Washington St
1 785-243-8115

Doniphan County Treasurer
Department of Motor Vehicles
120 E Chestnut St
1 785-985-3831

Kansas Drivers License
Driver’s License Office
Great Mall of The Great Plains
20162 W 151st St
1 913-829-2501

Wyandotte License Office
Department of Motor Vehicles
710 N 7th St #240
1 913-573-2821

Drivers License Exam Station
License Bureau
990 S Range Ave
1 785-462-3620

Johnson County Treasurer
Department of Motor Vehicles
111 S Cherry St # 1500
1 913-715-2600

DMV
Driving School
n 67037, 620 N Rock Rd
1 316-788-8749

Dickinson County Treasurer
Department of Motor Vehicles
109 E 1st St # 209
1 785-263-3231

Morris County Treasurer
Department of Motor Vehicles
501 W Main St
1 620-767-5617

Coffey County Treasurer
Department of Motor Vehicles
110 S 6th St #203
1 620-364-5532

Drivers License Office
Department of Motor Vehicles
Main St
1 785-336-6454

Scott County Treasurer
Department of Motor Vehicles
303 Court St #6
1 620-872-2640

Rice County Treasurer
Department of Motor Vehicles
101 E Commercial St # 4
1 620-257-2852

Kearny County Vehicle Tag Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
304 N Main St
1 620-355-6372

McPherson County Treasurer
Department of Motor Vehicles
McPherson County Administration
117 N Maple St
1 620-241-3664

Drivers License Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
301 W 14th St
1 620-431-7080

Riley County Treasurer
County Government Office
110 County Courthouse Sidewalk
1 785-537-6320

Rooks County Treasurer
Department of Motor Vehicles
115 N Walnut St
1 785-425-6161

Wilson County Treasurer
Department of Motor Vehicles
615 Madison St # 105
1 620-378-2775

Ford County Motor Vehicle Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
100 Gunsmoke St # 3
1 620-227-4530

Harper County Treasurer
Department of Motor Vehicles
201 N Jennings Ave
1 620-842-5191

Dickinson Motor Vehicle Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
109 E 1st St #209
1 785-263-3975

Franklin County Treasurer
Department of Motor Vehicles
315 S Main St
1 785-229-3450

Pawnee County Treasurer
Department of Motor Vehicles
715 Broadway St # 5
1 620-285-3746

Butler County Motor Vehicle Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
Butler County Courthouse
205 W Central Ave # 200
1 316-322-4200

Drivers License Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
Barton County Courthouse
1400 Main St # 207
1 620-793-9531

Linn County Clerk
Department of Motor Vehicles
315 Main St
1 913-795-2227

Sherman County Treasurer
Department of Motor Vehicles
813 Broadway Ave # 103
1 785-890-4810

Logan County Treasurer
Department of Motor Vehicles
710 W 2nd St #106
1 785-671-3216

Wyandotte County Treasury
Tax Department
710 North 7th Street #Suite 240
1 913-573-2823

Grant County Treasurer
Department of Motor Vehicles
108 S Glenn St # 2
1 620-356-1551

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