Maine Vehicle Identification Number
The Maine Lemon Law can be found under the Maine Automobile Lemon Law in Chapter 7: The Maine Lemon Law And State Arbitration and if you have any questions they can be answered by emailing consumer.mediation@maine.gov.
To apply for a Certificate of Title, Salvage Title, or Duplicate Title you should visit the Department of the Secretary of State Bureau of Motor Vehicles of the State of Maine.
InforME is the eGoverment Subscription Services for the state of Maine. Some of the services are free while some required a fee or require a subscription.
Most vehicle services in Maine are handled through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) of Maine’s Secretary of State (SOS). If the information you are looking for is not available through the Maine’s BMV you can use a private company which is not affiliated with an agency in Maine.
Maine recommends that prospective car buyers use a Vehicle License Plate lookup in additional to a VIN check. What can you learn from a VIN check in the state of Maine?
- You can discover if the airbags have been deployed or not. If they have been deployed, then it’s possible that the car was involved in an accident and it is likely the car owner will not tell you. While some damages are superficial, it is possible that there are internal damages that will cost quite a bit to repair (if it is repairable at all);
- A VIN check will tell you if there are any outstanding liens on the vehicle. If there are any liens on the car, then they will be transferred to you, the future buyer, and you will be held responsible for them. This can be especially dangerous because these don’t always show up on VIN reports, but they do when you do a deep Maine license plate search;
- Another popular kind of VIN fraud is odometer fraud; however, maintenance records don’t lie and it’s almost impossible to counterfeit odometer data. A Maine license plate will be able tell you the truth; and
- If your car has ever been recalled that will be visible in the VIN report. Minor recalls are often omitted by car salesman and the major ones are almost always omitted. As soon as the purchase is made, the responsibility for all recalls falls upon the buyer which can be very expensive. In fact, the vehicle can be taken away from you if you don’t pay attention and do a careful license plate and VIN search.
In the state of Maine, you can make the following vehicle-related requests through the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles, unless otherwise noted:
- Vehicle registration renewal;
- Duplicate registration;
- Trailer registration;
- Order vanity license plates;
- Release the lien on a title record;
- Vehicle title and registration records;
- Order and crash report (through the Department of Public Safety.)
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
- Interactive Driver’s License Records – you can search the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles database for drivers license number or name and birth date. Includes commercial licenses;
- Interactive Title Records – Search the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles database for title information by VIN number or title number;
- Interactive Registration Records – Search the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles database for vehicle registration information by plate number;
- Drivers Cross Check demonstration
- Over Limit Permits – Online applications that gives you the ability to apply for Over Limits Permits from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Applicants are subjects to review by the BMW. Permits that may be obtained through this application are as follows: Single trips only within the state of Maine and Non-divisible loads.
Maine State Police
- Crash Reporting Online Search and Ordering Service – Search for and request crash reports from the Maine State Police Database. Search by name, date of birth, crash location, crash date, or investigative agency.
The VIN report from Maine 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 Maine DMV office, which can be found by searching the Maine Department of Motor Vehicles website.
If you have any questions about your account, you should contact a customer service representative at:
Information Resource of Maine
45 Commerce Drive, Suite 110
August, ME 04330
207-621-2600
877-212-6550 – toll-free
207-621-9550 (fax)
Email: info@informe.org
Office of the Maine Attorney General
Chapter 7: The Maine Lemon Law and State Arbitration (PDF)
Department of the Secretary of State Bureau State of Maine
InforMe eGovernment Subscription Services
Maine State Police Crash Database
Email for the information resource of Maine: info@informe.org
To order a crash report through the Department of Public Safety
Should you run additional VIN Checks in Maine?
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
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.
National Insurance Crime Bureau VIN Check
Lemon Laws in Maine
The Maine Lemon Law protects consumers by offering binding arbitration on consumer disputes with car dealers. It is in Chapter 7: The Main Lemon Law and State Arbitration and can be downloaded in a PDF file with Adobe Reader. If you have further questions or are unable to download it, you can email consumer.mediation@maine.gov.
The lemon law in Maine covers vehicles up to three (3) years after the date you received it OR within 18,000 miles and it includes:
- New vehicles;
- Used vehicles;
- Motorcycles; and
- Motorhomes.
To be defined as a lemon, the vehicle must have a problem which continues to exist after:
- There have been at least three (3) attempts to repair it;
- At least one (1) attempt to repair an issue which impairs the safety of the vehicle, for example a steering or a brake problem; OR
- The vehicle has spent at least fifteen (15) days in a repair shop to fix the problem or problems.
The Maine Lemon Law does NOT cover defects which:
- Don’t “substantially impair” the vehicle’s use, value, or safety;
- Are caused due to negligence by the owner;
- Are a result of an accident or vandalism; or
- Result from unauthorized repair or alteration by someone other than the manufacturer, its agents, or authorized dealers.
However, Maine’s Lemon Law does NOT cover defects that:
- Don’t “substantially impair” the vehicle’s use, value, or safety;
- Defects which are caused by the negligence of the owner;
- Defects which are a result of an accident or vandalism; or
- Defects which are a result from an unauthorized repair or alteration by someone other than the manufacturer, its agents, or its authorized dealers.
Purchasing a used car is tempting because it is cheaper outright, yet it can be a gamble if you do not do your research properly and even if you do you could end up with a lemon. To protects consumers from this the State of Maine passed the Used Car Information Act (UCIA) which requires all car dealers to provide certain warranties and to post information on used cars which are for sale. If the dealer does not obey the law and refuses to repair your car, you may have the option to take the dealer to court and get your money back upon returning the car to the dealer.
Chapter 6 of the Maine Consumer Law Guide from the Office of the Maine Attorney General focuses on the Consumer Rights and the Defective New Vehicle which can also be downloaded in a PDF with Adobe Reader.
Chapter 7 of the Maine Consumer Law Guide from the Office of the Maine Attorney General is if the consumer reports serious defects to the dealer or manufacturer during the express warranty period, the Lemon Law requires the manufacturer to make the necessary repairs. If the manufacturer cannot fix the car, then the consumer then has the right to argue their case in front of a State Arbitrator, free of charge. The hearing must come within 45 days of acceptance of the Lemon Law applicable and if the Arbitrator concludes that the car is, in fact a lemon, the consumer is entitled to either a new car or the return of the purchase price of the car.
Chapter 9 deals with consumer protection when dealing with used motor vehicles. A used car must have been put on the vehicle within the 60 days of the date of purchase, even if you are purchasing the car “as is.” If the car violates the inspection warranty, then the dealer must repair it free of charge, so that it can pass the state inspection. All used cars must come with a completed Used Car Information Act Window Sticker, and failure to do so can be grounds for returning the car and getting back the purchase price.
Attorney General of the State of Maine
Consumer Rights and the Defective New Vehicle
And
Consumer Rights and the Defective New Vehicle
E-mail to the Attorney General of the State of Maine: consumer.mediation@maine.gov
The Maine Lemon Law And State Arbitration
E-mail to the Attorney General of the State of Maine: consumer.mediation@maine.gov
Consumer Rights When You Buy A Used Vehicle
E-mail to the Attorney General of the State of Maine: consumer.mediation@maine.gov
Maine Attorney General Consumer Line: consumer.mediation@maine.gov
How do you file a Lemon Law Claim in Maine?
If your vehicle meets the definition of a lemon, then the process goes like this:
- Obtain and keep all repair records from the dealer, or multiple dealers if that is the case, for each repair;
- Contact the State Lemon Law Arbitration Program for a Lemon Law Application and Final Opportunity to Repair Notice. To do so you should write or call the following:
- Lemon Law Arbitration Program
Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
6 State House Station
Augusta, ME 043334
(207) 626-8848 or (800) 436-2131 (toll-free in Maine only)
- Send written notice (Final Opportunity to Repair Notice) to the manufacturer by certified mail with a return receipt. This notifies the manufacturer that you are applying for Lemon Law arbitration and this letter serves as a final opportunity to repair the problems;
- Allow the manufacturer at least seven (7) business days after receipt of the Final Opportunity to Repair letter to make the necessary repairs;
- If the problems or defect(s) were not corrected during the final repair attempt, or if the defect occurs again and you want to have an arbitration hearing do NOT repair the vehicle. That would be destroying your evidence. File your Lemon Law application as soon as possible;
- During the arbitration hearing you must prove to the arbitrator that you conformed to the following requirements, including:
- You have attempted to repair the defect before three (3) years or 18,000 miles;
- The defect is substantial and impairs the vehicle’s use, safety, or value;
- The defect still exits and has not been corrected;
- The manufacturer has been given adequate opportunity and time to repair the vehicle; and
- The manufacturer has been given a Final Opportunity to Repair notice.
Going to Arbitration – whether you Win or Lose
If the arbitrator rules on your side and agrees that your car is a lemon, the manufacturer must either offer you a refund or replace the car. If the replacement vehicle is not acceptable to you then you have the option to reject the offer and request a refund instead. If. However, the manufacturer offers a refund you cannot reject the offer in favor for a replacement.
If you get a refund you will receive the full amount of the purchase price, minus a “reasonable allowance” for the mileage on the car. If the car is leased, you will get a refund on the down payment, a trade-in allowance, and the total amount of payments that you have made thus far.
If the manufacturer issues a refund, you will be reimbursed for the following:
- The total purchase price minus any rebates, deposits, or your trade-in allowance. If the vehicle was leased, then you will get back the leased payments you made;
- Sales tax, document fees, title and arbitration fees, and registration fees;
- If you financed your vehicle you will get back any interest paid;
- Costs that you may have incurred by towing or storing the vehicle, or arranging for alternative transport while you were without your vehicle; and
- Expert witness fees.
Even if you win your claim you will not be reimbursed for: attorney’s fees, time away from work, excise taxes, extended warranties, or rebates.
If you lose your arbitration, you have the right to appeal to the superior court within 21 days. You can also invoke the vehicle manufacturer’s informal dispute settlement procedure.
Do you need a Lemon Law attorney for a Lemon Law claim in Maine?
Although it is not necessary to hire an attorney to represent you in a Lemon Law Case, the Lemon Law in Maine is complex and having the expertise of a lawyer on your side can only help you. Remember that the manufacturer will have experts on their side to try and win for their side and discredit you, so it would be wise for you to have the same.
However, many of us don’t have experience with lawyers at all, let alone ones with experience in lemon laws in the state of Maine. Here are some ideas and suggestions for a lemon lawyer:
- Ask friends, family, and neighbors if they know of any lawyers with lemon law experience;
- Make sure that the lawyer has a license to practice in the state of Maine and has practiced Lemon Law cases before in Maine;
- Book a consultation with some lemon law attorneys and speak with them about their experiences, background, and their rate of winning Lemon Law cases; and
- Be sure and ask about fees – some lawyers require a retainer while others work on a contingency basis meaning that if you don’t win the case then they don’t make any money.
If you have no idea where to begin you can always contact the Maine State Bar Association
BMV Mobile Unit
Department of Motor Vehicles
13 Murray St
1 207-624-9000Rockland BMV
Department of Motor Vehicles
360 Old County Rd #1
1 207-596-2255State of Maine: Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
19 Anthony Ave
1 207-287-3330Waterville BMV Mobile Unit
Department of Motor Vehicles
93 Main St
1 207-624-9000Bureau of Motor Vehicles State of Maine
Department of Motor Vehicles
36 Mollison Way #1
1 207-753-7750Maine Motor Vehicle Registry
Department of Motor Vehicles
125 Presumpscot St #4
1 207-822-6400Motor Vehicle Registry
Department of Motor Vehicles
Airport Mall
1129 Union St
1 207-942-1319South Paris BMV Mobile Unit
Department of Motor Vehicles
58 E Main St
1 207-624-9000BMV
Department of Motor Vehicles
14 Access Hwy #2
1 207-492-9141Maine Trailer Registrations
Registry Office
127 Pleasant Hill Rd
1 207-883-5181Secretary of State
State Government Office
111 Sewall St #4
1 207-626-8400Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
200 Expedition Dr
1 207-883-2596Bureau Of Motor Vehicle Division
Department of Motor Vehicles
456 Main St
1 207-490-1261Kennebunk Motor Vehicle Registry
Department of Motor Vehicles
63 Portland Rd #4
1 207-985-4890Motor Vehicle Registry
Department of Motor Vehicles
24 Church St
1 207-667-9363Maine OUI Lawyer :Scott Gardner
Attorney
5 Washington St #31
1 207-283-8495InforME
State Government Office
10, 45 Commerce Dr
1 207-621-2600Eliot Town Clerk
City Tax Office
1333 State Rd
1 207-439-1817Motor Vehicle Registry
Department of Motor Vehicles
704 Maine Mall Rd
1 207-626-8400
Permanently closedDMV
Motor Vehicle Dealer
704 Maine Mall Rd
1 207-624-9000 ext. 52131
Permanently closedMotor Vehicle Division
Department of Motor Vehicles
38 E Main St
1 207-624-9000
Permanently closedMotor Vehicle Registry
Department of Motor Vehicles
110 Main St
1 207-369-9921 - Lemon Law Arbitration Program