Ohio Vehicle Identification Numbers
Where do you get a vehicle history in the state of Ohio?
The state of Ohio has a few webpages dedicated to looking up motor vehicle histories, VINs, and license plates. You can use Form BMY 1173 or Form BMV 1177 for the Record Request form in Spanish. Form BMV 2095 Record Confidentiality Waiver and Form BMV 2344 is for the General Information on the Ohio Abstract Driver Record Request. If you are looking up someone else’s information then you will need Form BMV 5008, the Notarized Written Consent Release for Personal Information.
You can pay by check or money order and, if mailing, send the completed forms to:
Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Attn: BMV Records
P.O. Box 16520
Columbus, Ohio 43216-3520
- Email – the form requests a valid email address; however, if the email address you provide is invalid the state will email the record(s) to the requestor’s address listed in Part A.
Ohio provides limited information online on Vehicle/Watercraft Title Search which only discloses information about titles which were issues in the state of Ohio. If a vehicle was titled in another state for any period of time there will be no information. The state of Ohio gathers data from the Automated Title Processing System (ATPS) and the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System; however, government agencies are prohibited from sharing information from NMVTIS with the public so you must go through an approved NMTVIS Data Provider which will be listed at the bottom of this section. The state of Ohio does not endorse any specific NMVTIS Data Providers. If you have further questions you should contact the Title Support Section at (614) 752-7671 or via email.
The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) is often used by salvage and junk yards and works with the states and law enforcement to provide information such as:
- Current State of Title and Last Title Date – this helps to verify the validity of the title;
- Brand History – Brands are used as descriptive labels of a motor vehicle, such as “junk,” “salvage,” and “flood.” NMVTIS keeps a history of the brands that have been applied to vehicles in every state which helps consumers from purchasing a vehicle which has been damaged but has been offered for sale without disclosing the true condition of the vehicle. This can not only cost the customer more money in the beginning as the value of the car will be higher, but could also be unsafe if it has not be repaired adequately;
- Odometer Information – odometer fraud is a crime in which the odometer is “rolled back” so that it appears that the car has fewer miles on it than it actually does. This increases the market value of the car and may cause a customer to purchase an unsafe car due to a higher number of miles on the car than they thought. Furthermore, checking the odometer reading during every title change helps consumers identify discrepancies in the history of the vehicle;
- Why is total loss information important to consumers? – When a vehicle has been declared a total loss, the vehicle has sustained severe damage. Despite repairs that may have been performed on the vehicle it may still be unsafe to drive and may end up costing you quite a bit financially down the road; and
- Why is salvage information important to consumers? – When a vehicle has a salvage history then chances are that it has spent time in a junk yard or a salvage yard, as it has been damaged greatly. Salvage yards are perfect places for thieves to either steal the VIN of a “totaled” car or to obtain parts from a car which has been deemed totaled.
VinCheck is another popular search as it endorsed by the National Insurance Crime Bureau. It helps to determine if a car has been reported as stolen, but not recovered or if has been reported as a salvage vehicle by the one of the companies working with the NICB. It is free for the public to search for a maximum of five (5) searches within a 24-hour period per IP address.
Some of the information that a VinCheck vehicle history checks and title report will tell you include information such as:
- Current State of Title Information;
- Historical Title Information;
- Disclosure of Brand History on Title:
- Flood;
- Salvage;
- Odometer Rollback;
- 61 Possible Problem Events.
- Odometer Information;
- Information on Previous Accidents – around six million car accidents are reported annually by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration;
- Open Lien/Loan Information Including: Issuing Financial Information;
- To check and see if the vehicle has been previously declared a lemon;
- If there have been any airbag deployments;
- Impound & Towing Events;
- Active Theft Data
- 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.
There are other companies which perform vehicle history and VIN checks, some are free while others cost money; although the money it could save you in the long term would be well worth the initial cost for the check.
Record Request Form – BMV Form 1173
Record Request Form in Spanish – BMV Form 1177
Record Confidentiality Waver – BMV Form 2095
General Information on the Ohio Abstract Driver Record Request – BMV Form 3344
Notarized Written Consent Release Personal Information – BMV Form 5008
Ohio Vehicle/Watercraft VIN Check
National Insurance Crime Bureau
Approved Data Providers for NMVTIS:
- www.titlecheck.us
- www.carsforsale.com
- www.Checkthatvin.com
- www.instavin.com
- www.vinsmart.com
- www.vinaudit.com
- www.clearvin.com
Lemon Laws in Ohio
Designed to protect consumers from falling victim to faulty vehicles and the financial burden that often accompanies car repairs, “lemon laws” were designed to protect buyers from purchasing new or used vehicles, which have substantial defects and/or are unsafe to be driven on Ohio roads.
The Lemon Law of Ohio can be found in the Ohio Revised Code, Title [13] XIII Commercial Transactions – Ohio Uniform Commercial Code – Chapter 1345.01 to 1345.99 administered by the Ohio Secretary of State and the Department of the Attorney General Office of Consumer Affairs.
The Lemon Law in Ohio covers:
- Passenger vehicles, which are defined as any motor vehicle designed and used for carrying not more than nine persons and includes any motor vehicle designed and used for carrying not more than fifteen people in a ridesharing arrangement. The Attorney General’s Office indicates that a pick-up truck which is used exclusively for business purposes is not covered by the lemon law;
- A noncommercial motor vehicles, which are defined as any motor vehicle, including a farm truck, that is designed by the manufacturer to carry a load of no more than one ton and is used exclusively for purposes other than engaging in business for profit; or
- Parts of any motor vehicle that are not part of the facilities used for storage, cooking, eating, or sleeping.
These laws exist to protect consumers, who purchase a vehicle which has a substantial defect that the manufacturer is unable to repair. The lemon law in Ohio covers people who:
- Purchase or lease a new motor vehicle for personal, family, or household use and not for the purpose of selling or leasing the vehicle to another person;
- Any lessee of a motor vehicle for 30 days or more while title remains in the name of a person other than the user;
- Any person to whom the vehicle is transferred during the duration of the manufacturer’s written vehicle warranty; or
- Any other person entitled by the terms of the warranty to enforce the warranty.
In Ohio, a defective vehicle is defined as one which is less than one (1) year old and has less than 18,000 miles on it. Vehicles which are covered are those which have a defect or condition which:
- Substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of a motor vehicle to the consumer; and
- Does not conform to the express written warranty of the manufacturer or distributor.
The law provides the manufacturer with a defense if it can be proven that the nonconformity or defect is the result of abuse, neglect, or unauthorized modification or alteration of the vehicle by anyone other than the manufacturer, its agent, or an authorized dealer.
You must report the problem within one (1) year from the date of delivery or during the first 18,000 miles, whichever comes first. If you do not report the defect to the manufacturer during this time period then you have essentially ruined your case.
If the car continues to have problems after the manufacturer or dealer has made a reasonable number of attempts to repair it, you must give the manufacturer a final chance to repair the defect. Notice can be given at any time during the first year of ownership or the first 18,000 miles, whichever is earlier, if any of the following occurs:
- The same nonconformity has been subject to repair three (3) times or more and yet the problem, or defect, either continues to exists or reoccurs;
- The vehicles is out of service due to repairs for a cumulative total of thirty (30) or more calendar days;
- There have been eight (8) or more attempts to repair the vehicle; or
- There has been at least one attempt to repair a defect or nonconformity which results in a condition that is likely to cause death or seriously injury if the vehicle is driven, and the nonconformity either continues to exist or recurs.
If there is a defect or nonconformity with the vehicle, you should notify the manufacturer as soon as possible, by certified mail return receipt requested. Make sure and include your VIN number, what attempts have been made to fix the vehicle, and whether you would prefer a vehicle refund or a replacement vehicle. The manufacturer may either agree with your claims and refund the purchase price of the vehicle or replace it with a new one. However, often the manufacturer will ask to be given another attempt to fix your vehicle and may try to negotiate with you. If the manufacturer disagrees with your claim then they should let you know if there is an arbitration program available.
If the defect is not fixed or if the manufacturer refuses to comply then there are channels you can go through, and in some states that you must go through in order to have a court case. Many arbitration cases are handled by the Better Business Bureau AUTO LINE in the state concerned; however, the state of Ohio has its own Arbitration Board. Certain manufacturers have established an Arbitration Program which is recognized by the state of Ohio and when dealing with these manufacturers you MUST go through arbitration before you can proceed to a law suit. The following manufacturers have arbitration programs which are certified by the Attorney General as meeting both state and national standards for fairness. These manufacturers are:
- Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Volkswagen/Audi, Isuzu, Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, Workhorse Custom Chassis, Porsche, Toyota, Honda or Mazda.
The Better Business Bureau also has an AUTO LINE for the state of Ohio, with the following manufacturers participating:
- Audi, Bentley, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC Truck, Hyundai, Indian Motorcycle, Infiniti, Kia, Land Rover, Lincoln, Lotus, Mazda, Mercury, Nissan, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, smart USA, Subaru, Volkswagen, and Workhorse.
Ohio Attorney General Lemon Law Manufacturers List
Better Business Bureau Ohio Summary
Brochure from the Ohio Attorney General on “Complying with Ohio Consumer Law: A Guide for Business”:
Complying with Ohio Consumer Law: A Guide for Business
Do you need a lemon law attorney in the state of Ohio?
No, you don’t need to hire an attorney for a lemon law case in Ohio, but there are benefits to having one:
- The manufacturer will have experts on their side and you should have experts on your side as well;
- Lemon Law Attorneys specialize in lemon laws and consumer rights and are more knowledgeable than you would be alone;
- A lemon law attorney can help to speed up the process;
- Attorneys can help you remember which papers are needed and when there is a deadline to be met;
- Having an attorney gives you more bargaining power and makes you appear more professional.
If you do not know of a lemon law attorney in the state of Ohio you should first ask your friends and family for recommendations. You can contact the Ohio State Bar Association for a referral to a lawyer.
Department of Motor Vehicles
671 N Sandusky St
1 740-392-5641
Closing soon: 6:00 PM
Worthington License Agency
Driver’s License Office
112 Dillmont Dr
1 614-436-6381
Closed now
Ohio BMV
Department of Motor Vehicles
2970 Hayden Rd
1 614-766-7769
Closed now
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
701 W Coshocton St
1 740-966-0081
Closed now
Kenny Road License Agency
License Bureau
Kenny Centre
4503 Kenny Rd
1 614-459-4441
Closed now
Ohio BMV
Driver’s License Office
3833 S High St
1 614-497-8247
Closed now
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
331 N Williams St
1 419-399-2064
License Examination Stations
Driver’s License Office
6420 Mayfield Rd
1 216-787-5880
BMV Registrar License Agency
Driver’s License Office
457 E Market St
1 419-448-6446
Ohio BMV
Department of Motor Vehicles
4161 W Broad St
1 614-456-7551
Closed now
Ohio BMV
Department of Motor Vehicles
5410 Northfield Rd
1 216-662-5880
Closed now
Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
3481 E Broad St
1 614-237-8247
Closed now
BMV
Driver’s License Office
9515 OH-14
1 330-626-5500
Closing soon: 6:30 PM
BMV License Agency
License Bureau
550 N Barron St
1 937-456-9444
Closed now
Motor Vehicle Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
8210 Co Rd 140
1 419-425-3313
Closing soon: 6:00 PM
Ohio BMV
Department of Motor Vehicles
2812 Whipple Ave NW
1 330-477-5555
Closed now
Bureau Motor Vehicles Deputy
Department of Motor Vehicles
3461 Warsaw Ave
1 513-921-6444
Closed now
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
999 Procom Dr #103
1 419-784-4400
Closed now
Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
1275 Experiment Farm Rd
1 937-335-6225
BMV Title and License Service
Driver’s License Office
775 Reading Rd
1 513-398-8928
Closed now
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
2736 N Ridge Rd #6
1 440-354-4130
West Park License Bureau
License Bureau
3345 Edgecliff Terrace
1 216-941-8008
Closed now
North Royalton License Bureau
Department of Motor Vehicles
12771 State Rd
1 440-582-0410
Newark Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Driver’s License Office
875 E Main St
1 740-345-0066
Closed now
BMV
Department of Motor Vehicles
605 Chestnut Commons Dr
1 440-322-0723
Closing soon: 6:00 PM
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
1430 W High St #3
1 330-682-0440
Closed now
Massillon BMV
Department of Motor Vehicles
1972 Wales Rd NE
1 330-833-9026
Closed now
Independence License Bureau
License Bureau
Rockside Corners Shopping Center
6901 Rockside Rd
1 216-642-1373
Closed now
Ohio Bureau Of Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
14000 Broadway Ave
1 614-752-7500
Closing soon: 6:30 PM
Pataskala License Agency
Driver’s License Office
318 S Twp Rd
1 740-927-9488
Closed now
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
159 Mansfield Ave
1 419-342-2266
Closed now
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
4460 Heatherdowns Blvd
1 419-381-1109
Closed now
Ohio BMV
License Bureau
601 Ledbetter Rd
1 937-372-4282
Closed now
Ohio BMV – County Clerk of Courts Title Office
Department of Motor Vehicles
8647 Columbus Pike
1 740-657-3945
Closed now
Ohio Bureau Of Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
17 Cherri Park Square
1 614-895-0258
Closed now
Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles Deputy Registrar
License Bureau
684 Avon Belden Rd
1 440-933-3266
Closing soon: 6:00 PM
Fairlawn BMV
License Bureau
2955 W Market St
1 330-867-1101
Closing soon: 6:00 PM
Ravenna License Bureau
License Bureau
444 S Meridian St
1 330-296-7785
Closed now
License Agency- BMV of North Olmsted, Ohio
License Bureau
Tops Plaza
26642 Brookpark Rd Extention
1 440-779-0830
Closed now
Lorain License Bureau
License Bureau
4340 N Leavitt Rd
1 440-244-5445
Closed now
Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
Kiser’s Barbeque On State
1002 E State St #21
1 740-592-4667
Closed now
Delaware License Agency
Driver’s License Office
2079 U.S. Hwy 23 N #2
1 740-369-3552
Closed now
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
3029 Forestdale Ave SW
1 330-484-6488
Closing soon: 6:00 PM
Proctorville Licensing Agency
License Bureau
402 Trent St
1 740-886-7202
Closed now
Huber Heights BMV
License Bureau
6134 Chambersburg Rd
1 937-233-7211
Closed now
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
152 S Fulton St #105
1 419-335-8808
Closed now
BMV License Agency
License Bureau
13065 Co Rd D50
1 419-636-5516
Closed now
License Agency- BMV
Department of Motor Vehicles
51560 National Rd
1 740-695-9432
Closing soon: 6:30 PM
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
1260 Monroe St NW #11F
1 330-602-8787
Closing soon: 6:00 PM
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
3623 Market St
1 330-783-3223
Closed now
Stow License Bureau
Department of Motor Vehicles
3039 Graham Rd
1 330-677-6788
Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
1653 Marion Rd
1 419-563-2110
Closed now
Cuyahoga Falls License Bureau
License Bureau
650 Graham Rd
1 330-929-6469
Closed now
Beavercreek License Bureau
Department of Motor Vehicles
1221 Meadow Bridge Dr
1 937-426-8205
Closing soon: 6:00 PM
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
1365 County Hwy 32 N #3
1 937-599-6565
Closed now
License Agency
Department of Motor Vehicles
206 E 3rd St
1 740-922-6111
License Agency- DMV
Driver’s License Office
600 W Broadway St
1 740-342-3609
Closed now
Motor Vehicle Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
500 W State St
1 419-332-9511
Closed now
Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
1021 Lima St # 101
1 419-675-2969
Batavia License Bureau
License Bureau
457 W Main St
1 513-732-8050
Closed now