Utah VIN Search

Utah Vehicle Identification Numbers

Where do you get a VIN check in the state of Utah?

The state of Utah Division of Motor Vehicles has a Motor Vehicle Portal which is accessible on the Internet; however, to use this portal, you must have a login and password. As with most states, it is fine for an individual to look up their own information but to look up anyone else’s information requires either the other individual’s approval or a reason to be used by law enforcement, a court system, or a legal entity.

The MVP does allow individuals to report a vehicle a sold, look-up renewal information, renew disability placards, make a report about curbstoners, and other helpful things that can save you a trip to your local government Motor Vehicle Division.

Titling Vehicles is also done through the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles and includes the requirements for titling a vehicle, transferring a title, replacing a title, transferring an out-of-state title, transferring without a title, branded titles, and salvage vehicles. For more information on titling vehicles in the state of Utah you should contact:

Motor Vehicle Information

P.O. Box 30412

Salt Lake City, UT 84130

801-297-7780

The state of Utah recommends that individuals who want more information about a vehicle’s history go to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) website.

The Utah Lemon Law is under the Utah Division of Consumer Protection and complaints can be made online.

Utah Department of Consumer Protection

160 East 300 South, 2^nd Floor

P.O. Box 146704

Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-6704

Toll-Free: 800-721-SAFE

Fax: 801-530-6001

Utah Motor Vehicle Portal

Motor Vehicle Portal FAQs

Utah Division of Motor Vehicles: dmv.utah.gov

Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division: mved.utah.gov

Title Requirements in Utah

Form TC-656 – Application for a Utah Title

Transferring a Title in Utah

Form TC-123 – Application for Duplicate Utah Title

Transferring an out-of-state title

Transferring without a title

Branded titles

Salvaged titles

Email for Motor Vehicle Information in Utah: dmv@utah.gov

Utah Department of Consumer Protection

Complaint Form for the Utah Department of Consumer Protection

Should I perform additional motor vehicle history or VIN checks on a vehicle in Utah?

Yes, definitely. While it is good to know the current title information on a car, knowing the history is very important. There are quite a few companies which run VIN and/or license plate checks in the state of Utah, some of which cost money and some which provide a certain number of free searches per IP address in a 24-hour period.

One of the more complete VIN checks that you can get is from the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System. NMVTIS is a database which provides data on cars that have been in recycling yards, junkyards, and salvage yards. They provide information in five key areas which are associated with auto fraud and theft:

1. Current State Title and Last Title Date;
2. Brand History – these are descriptive labels applied by motor vehicle titling agencies and include the terms “junk,” “salvage,” and “flood.” This helps protect consumers from purchasing a damaged vehicle without knowing the condition of the car. In Utah, which allows consumers to purchase “rebuilt” cars, knowing the history and the “brand” of a car may save you from paying far more than a vehicle is worth or from buying a vehicle which is unsafe or has the potential to be unsafe due to its history;
3. Odometer Reading – people have been known to “roll the odometer back” to decrease the appearance of miles on a vehicle. This makes the vehicle appear to be worth more than it is worth, and it may also cause a consumer to purchase a vehicle which is unsafe. Odometer readings are recorded at the transfer of the title, so it can be a useful tool to check for any discrepancies of the vehicle’s history;
4. Total Loss History – when a vehicle has been declared a total loss it has had severe damage. Knowing this information could save a consumer from paying more than what the vehicle is worth or from purchasing a vehicle which is unsafe; and
5. Salvage History – vehicles with a salvage history have had severe damage. Knowing this information could save you money or save you from purchasing a car that is unsafe.

The data reported to NMVTIS must be reported on every vehicle which they receive into inventory each month and includes:

• The name, address, and contact information for the reporting entity;
• VIN;
• Date the automobile was obtained;
• Name of the individual or entity from whom automobile was obtained (this information is only to be used by law enforcement and other government agencies);
• A statement of whether the automobile was crushed or disposed of, offered for sale, or other purposes; and
• Whether the vehicle is intended for export out of the United States.

The public can’t access the NTMVIS database, but you can use one of the services which can access it and you should. Some of the ones that are advertised on the NTMVIS website include, but aren’t limited to:

• Clearvin.com
• Vinaudit.com
• Instavin.com
• Titlecheck.us
• Vinsmart.com

There is also a database, VINcheck, which is run by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) and recommended by the state of Utah. They provide VIN checks to the public which will tell you if the car has been reported stolen and not found, and if the vehicle has been in a salvage yard. Utah also recommends using a private agency, i.e. Carfax, for a vehicle history check, conducting a physical inspection, taking the car on a test drive, and getting an independent inspection.

If you purchase a car and believe that you have been the victim of fraud you are asked to contact the National Insurance Crime Board by:

• Texting the keyword “FRAUD” to TIP411 (847411);
• Call 800.TEL.NICB (800.835.6422); or
• Submit a form online.

If you have a complaint about auto theft, odometer fraud, misrepresentation, and failure to deliver title, you should contact:

Utah Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division

210 North 1950 West

Salt Lake City, Utah 84134

Phone: 801-297-2600

NMVTIS

NICB

Fraud form for the Utah Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division

Lemon Law in Utah

The lemon law in the State of Utah can be found in the Utah Code Ann. Section 13-20-1 et seq. The Lemon Law falls under the Utah Department of Consumer Protection.

The lemon law in Utah covers any motor vehicle, including motor homes, which has significant defects that can’t be repaired. It applies to new cars under warranty and in 1990 was expanded to included new leased vehicles and motor homes. The lemon law in Utah does NOT cover used cars.

For the vehicle to be considered a lemon in Utah, the following must apply:

• The vehicle must have been purchased in Utah;
• The vehicle must be new and under warranty;
• The vehicle must weight less than 12,000 pounds;
• The defect must impair the vehicle in a way that the use, market value, or safety of the vehicle is considered “substantially impaired;”
• The vehicle must have been brought to the repair shop of the dealer or manufacturer for the same defect at least four (4) times OR out of service due to reasons of repair for at least 30 days during the first year or during the warranty period, whichever ends first;
• The defect cannot be the result of abuse, neglect, or unauthorized modifications of the vehicle; and
• Consumers must go through an informal dispute process that the manufacturer has established or is a part of as explained in the warranty manual in the vehicle.

Before the consumer can file a lemon law claim, they must notify the manufacturer, in writing, by registered, certified, or express mail, of the need of the repair and to allow the manufacturer a final opportunity to repair the defect. This does not apply unless the manufacturer informed the consumer, at the time of the sale of the vehicle, that a written notification of a nonconformity would be necessary.

If your vehicle meets the criteria of being a lemon, it is possible that the manufacturer will try and work out a compromise with you in which they replace your vehicle or refund your money and you drop your complaint against the manufacturer. The manufacturer has the right to charge you a reasonable fee for mileage, usually between $.10 and $.23 per mile. If the manufacturer is unwilling to do this, then you will need to go to arbitration or an informal dispute resolution.

If the manufacturer has established an informal dispute settlement procedure that complies with 16 C.F.R. Part 703, or if they participate in a consumer-industry appeals, arbitration, mediation panel or board whose decisions are binding on the manufacturer then the consumer must first utilize one of these settlement procedures before the manufacturer is forced to either replace or refund the consumer’s money.

The Better Business Bureau AUTO LINE is often the entity in charge of the arbitration process and the same is true in the state of Utah. The following manufacturers have an informal dispute resolution process which meets the standards set by the Utah law and operates in the state of Utah:

• 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, Volkswagen, and Workhorse Custom Chassis.

According to the Utah Division of Consumer Protection website, there are steps which you can take to try to prevent any future problems with your vehicle, including:

• Make sure that the vehicle is what you ordered;
  • Check to make sure that all the options and equipment are included, and that all services have been completed;
  • Check every accessory, service, and piece of equipment is listed on the window sticker;
  • Check the bill of sale and make sure that it says you purchased exactly what you purchased. Compare the bill-of-sale to the window sticker and the vehicle;

• Wait for the dealer to “prep” the vehicle and make sure that has been listed on the bill-of-sale and marked as paid;
• Don’t buy a vehicle unless you have been approved for financing;
• Inspect and test drive the vehicle as you normally would be driving. Drive it on the highway and in traffic carrying the same load that you will normally be carrying. Drive it on hills and in stop and go situations. Make sure that you are completely satisfied with the vehicle before you take possession of it.

Utah Consumer Sales Practices Act

Utah Consumer Sales Practices Act Rules

Utah New Motor Vehicles Warranty Act (Lemon Law)

Utah New Motor Vehicles Warranty Act Rules (Lemon Law)

“Avoiding a Lemon” Guidelines

Tips for buying a car

Consumer Protection Unit complaint form for Utah

Do you need to hire an attorney for a lemon law case in Utah?

No, it is not necessary to hire an attorney but it may be a wise decision it may be a wise decision depending on the amount of time that you are able to commit to fighting a large company and your knowledge of the law and the legal system. It is important to remember that the manufacturer of the car and the dealers will have legal experts on their side and you might want the same kind of expertise on your side.

A lawyer will represent you in court, but they will also:

• Explain the lemon law in the state of Utah to you and help you to understand both the process and the possible outcomes;
• Help you to gather all the necessary documents;
• Help to ensure that the manufacturer is treating you fairly;
• Help save you time by handling the communication and other actions on your behalf; and
• Help you to navigate the courts and the legal terms.

If you do not have an attorney already you should ask friends and family for referrals or even ask attorneys who specialize in other areas for a recommendation for a lemon law attorney. If nothing else, the Utah Bar Association has a lawyer referral service.

You are searching for an attorney who:

• Seek experienced attorneys – A Utah lawyer who specializes in lemon law cases will have specialized knowledge in relevant Utah laws and procedures;
• Comes highly recommended – ask friends and family if they know any good attorneys. Ask for a recommendation from people you know who may have worked with lemon law lawyers before;
• Schedule a consultation – book a free consultation with a few lemon law attorneys so that you can learn more about them and their experience; and
• Ask about their fees – Make sure that you understand how much the attorney charges and when you will be expected to pay (up front, installments, after the case, or do they take the case on a contingency basis?)

Utah State Bar Association

Utah Lawyer Referral Service