Washington VIN Search

Washington Vehicle Identification Numbers

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

The state of Washington Department of Licensing suggests that people who are purchasing a car check the vehicle’s ownership history with the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System and to contact their local law enforcement to see if the vehicle has been reported stolen.

The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System is one of the largest databases for cars which have been in junk yards or salvage yards in the country. Places like this 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.

The public doesn’t have access to the NMVTIS database, but they contract with other providers so that you can get the same information. Although none is specifically endorsed by the state of Tennessee, there are many places on the Internet to get a full National Motor Vehicle Title Information System report:

• www.VinAudit.com;
• www.carsforsale.com;
• www.clearvin.com;
• www.VINcheck.com;
• www.titlecheck.us; and
• www.vinsmart.com.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau is another free database and they recommend VINcheck to check a VIN number. VINcheck will tell you if a car has been reported stolen and has not been recovered.

You should also purchase a motor vehicle history and title report which includes the following information:

• Current State of Title Information;
• Historical Title Information;
• Disclosure of Brand History on Title:
  • Flood;
  • Salvage;
  • Odometer Rollback
  • 61 Possible Problem Events.

• Odometer Information – when a car registration is performed in Tennessee an odometer reading is taken. A vehicle history report includes this reading;
• Information on Previous Accidents – an LA vehicle history check contains accident-related information. If a vehicle has been in an accident it may affect the life and/or the safety of a vehicle;
• Open Lien/Loan Information Including: Issuing Financial Institution – if there are any liens or loans against the vehicle then upon purchasing the car you assume the responsibility for those liens. In some states, debts such as child support can also be tied to the car, therefore, it is imperative that you make sure there are no outstanding liens against the car that you are purchasing;
• Impound & Towing Events; and
• Active Theft Data.

To find out if your vehicle has been the part of a manufacturer’s recall you check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website.

State of Washington Department of Licensing

“Buying a Vehicle” Brochure by the State of Washington Department of Licensing

Dealer Manufacturer Services and For Hire Complaint

Why are VIN checks so important in Washington?

VIN fraud is illegal and is a felony in both the state of Washington and in the United States, and this includes when the VIN is removed during the restoration of a car. One of the best ways to not become the victim of vehicle fraud is to obtain a Vehicle History Report, which will include information such as:

• Information on the past owners, including:
  • The number of owners the car has had; and
  • The odometer readings at the time of each change in ownership.

• Whether there are liens on the vehicle – if you purchase a vehicle which has liens against it then you may be unwittingly assuming those loans when you buy the vehicle. This can even include liens such as child support which are tied to the owner of the car and not to the car itself;
• Brand History – such as if the car was every used as a police car or a taxi;
• Title and accident history – this will usually include any accident reports, information regarding whether the car was involved in a flood, whether the car has been in a salvage yard, and will also tell you the name of the legal owner of the car;
• Odometer settings and rollback alerts – sellers of cars have been known to “rollback” the numbers on the odometer so that the car appears to have lower mileage which increases the value of the car; and
• “Lemon” determination – a VIN check will alert you if your car has been deemed a “lemon” and been repurchased by the manufacturer.

Some VIN checks may even tell you information as specific as the dates of servicing of the vehicle or if it has previously been sold at an auction.

If you suspect that you have been a victim of fraud, you should contact the National Insurance Crime Bureau by:

1. Text the keyword “FRAUD” to TIP411;
2. Call 800-TEL-NICB;
3. Fill out an online form.

Form to report suspected fraud to the NICB:

NICB

Fraud in the state of Washington

State of Washington Lemon Law

Lemon Law in Washington

The lemon law in the State of Washington are found in the Rev. Code of Washington §§ 19.118.005 et seq. The lemon law in Washington covers any new “motor vehicle”, defined as:

The lemon law is for vehicles which have been purchased or leased new and develop a defect or a condition that substantially impairs the motor vehicle’s use, market value, or safety. The law allows the owner to request an arbitration hearing through the Lemon Law Administration of the Attorney General’s Office within 30 months of the vehicle’s original delivery date.

Vehicles which are not covered by the Lemon Law include those which:

• The problems or issues with the vehicle do not impact the vehicle’s use or its value;
• The problem with the vehicle is a result of neglect, abuse, or unauthorized vehicle alterations;
• Motorcycles with engine displacements of less than 750 cubic centimeters;
• Trucks 19,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating or over; and
• Vehicles purchased or leased by a business as part of a fleet of ten (10) or more.

You do not have to be the original owner of the vehicle to request arbitration. Used cars are covered if the vehicle was purchased or leased:

• Within two years of delivery to the original retail consumer and within the first 24,000 miles of the operation;
• The vehicle meets the other eligibility requirements; AND
• A Request for Arbitration is received by the Lemon Law Administration within 30 months of the original vehicle delivery date.

To qualify as a lemon in the state of Washington, the vehicle must have a defect which is covered by the warranty that:

• The manufacturer has made at least four (4) attempts to repair by the manufacturer, converter, distributor, or any of their agents or dealers. Two of the repair attempts must be made within twelve (12) months or 12,000 miles, whichever occurs first, following the original date of delivery of the vehicle to the consumer. The other two (2) attempts must be made within twelve (12) months or 12,000 miles, whichever occurs first, immediately following the date of the second repair attempt;
• The same nonconformity creates a serious safety hazard which continues to exist after being subject to repair two or more times by the manufacturer, converter, distributor, or any of their franchised dealers. One attempt to repair must be made within twelve (12) months or 12,000 miles, whichever occurs first, following the date of original delivery of the vehicle to the consumer. At least one other attempt must be made within twelve (12) months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first, after the first repair attempt:
• A nonconformity which substantially impairs the vehicle’s use or market value still exists and the vehicle is out of service for reasons of repair for a cumulative total of thirty (30) or more days within the original 24 months or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first, following the date of original delivery to the customer. At least two repair attempts must be made within the first twelve (12) months or 12,000 miles following the date or original delivery to the consumer.

This is what is called the “Manufacturer’s Duty to Repair or Replace” and under the Washington law if the manufacturer or its authorized dealer has been unable to repair the defect after a reasonable number of attempts during the term of protection (which is defined above) then you may have the right to a manufacturer’s arbitration program or court for a lemon law claim.

Once you realize that your car has a continuous problem and that attempts to fix it have been unsuccessful, you should contact the manufacturer or the authorized retailer via certified mail with return receipt and specifically state that your car is a lemon and that you want a refund or a replacement under Washington’s Lemon Law. This is a necessary step as it:

• Informs the company that there is a problem and that it is serious and allows the company an opportunity to fix the defect (after the certified letter the manufacturer gets one more chance to fix the problem); and
• Informs the company that you will be using the lemon law if the defect is not properly repaired.

For more information about the Lemon Law in Washington State or to obtain “Request for Arbitration” forms you should contact:

Lemon Law Administration

Attorney General’s Office

800 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2000

Seattle, WA 98104

800-541-8898

Washington Motor Vehicles Warranties Act – Lemon Law in Washington State:

Washington Motor Vehicles Warranties Act

Washington State Lemon Law Administrative Rules, arbitration and the arbitration process:

Washington State Lemon Law Administrative Rules

Washington State Lemon Law Brochure

Lemon Law Cars, Trucks, and Motorcycle Booklet for Washington State

Lemon Law for Motorhome Booklet for Washington State

Washington State Motor Vehicle Arbitration Request Form

Washington State Motor Home Arbitration Request Form

Washington State Lemon Law Administration

Washington State Lemon Law Administration email: lemon@atg.wa.gov

Better Business Bureau Washington Lemon Law Summary

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

Yes. 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 Washington 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.

You can ask friends or family if they know of any attorneys who specialize in lemon law cases or even ask attorneys if they know any attorneys who specialize in lemon law cases. Just as you wouldn’t want a family attorney to represent you in a criminal case, you don’t want an attorney who has no experience in lemon law cases. If you do not know any attorneys you can always contact the Washington State Bar.

Ideally, you are searching for an attorney who:

• Seek experienced attorneys – A Washington lawyer who specializes in lemon law cases will have specialized knowledge in relevant Washington laws and procedures;
• Comes highly recommended – 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?)

Washington State Bar

Washington State Bar Attorney Search