Massachusetts VIN Lookup

While buying a used car is usually a cost-effective way to own a vehicle, it is still a significant investment that is not without risks. Even though Massachusetts has Lemon laws that afford used car buyers certain legal protections, the vehicle still has to meet certain eligibility criteria, such as having less than 125,000 miles and being purchased from a state dealer. With over 585 used-car dealers in Massachusetts and used cars costing an average of $24,491, buyers must take extra precautions to ensure they are making a safe and informed decision.

To this end, VIN lookups are an excellent way to do due diligence before purchasing a used car in Massachusetts. These VIN lookups typically reveal critical information about a vehicle’s history, including accident reports, recalls, inspection records, existing liens, and other relevant information concerning the vehicle’s overall status.

Why Performing a Massachusetts VIN Check Is Important

A VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a unique 17-character code assigned to a vehicle that serves as its “identifier” and can also be used to access crucial details about its features, history, and status. These VIN checks are essential tools when buying cars, especially used ones, and conducting a VIN lookup before finalizing your purchase can help you avoid potential issues. Essential information you can get when you run a Massachusetts VIN check includes:

• Registration and Title Verification: Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 mandates that all vehicles operated in the state be duly titled and registered with the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV); failure to do this can result in penalties, including fines of up to $1,000. A VIN check can confirm a car’s registration status and is also a good way to verify its title and confirm that the person selling the car has the legal right to do so.
• Odometer Verification: In addition to verifying that a used car has been correctly registered and titled, a VIN lookup is essential in confirming its official odometer reading. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that over 450,000 vehicles are sold every year with deliberately altered odometer readings, costing buyers approximately a billion dollars. VIN checks are a good way to avoid falling for these scams and ensure that you pay a fair market price for a used car.
• Title Brands: VIN checks are crucial in uncovering a vehicle’s title brand and revealing its history, condition, and potential risks - if the brand is designated as “salvage,” “flood damaged,” “junk,” “rebuilt,” or something similar, this is usually an indication of significant damage and repairs.
• Theft Checks: Massachusetts has a car theft rate of 116.6 per 100,000 inhabitants, with the number of reported car thefts across the state increasing by 16 percent in recent years. A VIN check can reveal whether a car has been reported stolen, thereby ensuring that you avoid the legal and financial complications associated with buying stolen property.
• Auto Fraud Prevention: Auto-related fraud accounts for three percent of all fraud cases in Massachusetts, making it a significant issue to look out for when buying used cars. A VIN check can help you spot discrepancies like rolled-out odometer readings and washed or forged titles, ensuring that you aren’t scammed.

How To Perform a Massachusetts VIN Check

Various state and federal agencies provide resources that can be used to perform VIN checks in Massachusetts. These include:

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV):

The RMV offers access to an online service center, where you can verify a vehicle’s title and lienholder information by inputting the last eight digits of its VIN and title number. If you don't have the title number, you can just use the VIN. This VIN check provides details like the title certificate issue date, title recipient, and lienholder names, if applicable.

The NHTSA VIN Decoder:

The NHTSA VIN Decoder provides safety-related information about a vehicle, such as the manufacturer, model year, production plant, engine and transmission details, safety features, safety ratings, and recalls. VIN checks can be done using a full or partial VIN.

NICB VINCheck:

The VINCheck service from the NICB helps users check if a vehicle has been reported stolen or salvaged. A full VIN is typically required, and users are limited to five searches per day.

Free vs. Paid VIN Check Services in Massachusetts

While government agencies (and some nonprofit organizations) offer free VIN checks, you may need to utilize a paid third-party website to access comprehensive information on vehicles, especially if you need to make a fully informed decision when buying a used one. Platforms like GoodCar, AutoCheck, CarFax, and Carmart stand out as premier choices for conducting VIN checks in Massachusetts. For a nominal fee, you can access detailed vehicle history reports through these platforms that include:

• Title details
• Ownership records
• Title brands
• Vehicle specifications
• Odometer/mileage verification
• Accident history
• Rebuild records
• Inspection records
• Service and maintenance records
• Safety defects and recalls
• Sales history
• Retail, trade-in, and private-party pricing
• NHTSA crash test ratings, and much more!

What Used Car Scams Are Common in Massachusetts?

From bogus online vehicle listings to unlicensed dealers selling “lemons,” Bay Staters are at risk of various fraudulent schemes when looking to buy used cars. Recently, the Swansea Police Department announced that it had issued multiple arrest warrants for a used car dealer who had allegedly sold vehicles without valid titles, taken payments, and then stopped responding to buyers, leaving them unable to register their cars. Some other commonly used car-related scams in Massachusetts include:

Curbstoning:

Illegally selling used cars for a profit; this is usually done by unlicensed dealers posing as private sellers.

Title Washing:

Altering a vehicle’s title to hide its salvage or flood-damaged status.

Odometer Rollbacks:

Tampering with a vehicle’s odometer to make it appear less used and increase its market value.

VIN Cloning:

Copying the VIN from one vehicle and using it on another car (usually a stolen or salvaged one) to mask its true identity.

Fake Vehicle Histories:

Providing fake accident reports or maintenance records to make a car appear more well-maintained and valuable than it actually is.

Unfortunately, scams like this are prevalent in the used car market. In most cases, these scams result in great financial loss and legal implications for unsuspecting buyers, emphasizing the need for vigilance when buying vehicles. To this end, you should consider taking the following precautions when buying a vehicle in Massachusetts to avoid falling victim to a used car scam:

• Have a clear idea of the kind of vehicle you wish to buy, its estimated cost, and features.
• Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true.
• Request and review all relevant documentation.
• Insist on a written warranty.
• Use reputable sites like GoodCar to conduct a thorough VIN check on the vehicle before finalizing the purchase.

How Do I Check the Status of My Vehicle's Title in Massachusetts?

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) offers an online platform, the myRMV portal, which allows the public to check the status of state-issued certificates of title and confirm lienholder information. This service is especially important when buying a used car, as it ensures there are no issues (such as unresolved liens or incorrect ownership details) that could affect your ability to use, sell, or transfer the vehicle.

To check the title status and lienholder information, you will need to input the last eight characters of the car’s VIN and its title number, or the full VIN if the title number is unavailable. The search will return information that matches the provided details, and the service is typically free of charge.

How To Register a Brand New Car in Massachusetts

Once you buy a car in Massachusetts, you must title and register it with the Massachusetts Registry of Vehicles (RMV) within 10 days of the purchase. You will typically need to take the following steps to do this:

• Complete an Application for Registration and Title Form: If the car was purchased from a licensed dealer, then you should have them complete and sign the form.
• Obtain an active insurance policy: Get an active insurance policy from a Massachusetts insurance agent. The insurance agent must also stamp and countersign the registration and title application form.
• Submit your documents at an RMV Service Center: Take the signed and stamped application form, proof of insurance, valid ID, and proof of vehicle ownership to an RMV Service Center. Proof of vehicle ownership may include the previous owner’s Certificate of Title or Dealer Re-Assignment form (for used cars), the previous registration and bill of sale (for older cars), or the manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (for new vehicles only). Ensure that the date the car was sold, its purchase price, and its odometer reading are properly completed on the back of the form if you are providing the previous owner’s title or certificate of origin.

The RMV also offers a seven-day grace period for car owners who buy new cars from licensed dealers or private parties to transfer their registration to the new vehicle, provided that they meet the following conditions:

• They must be at least 18 years old.
• The new vehicle must be the same type and have the same number of wheels as the previous one.
• They must carry the transfer documents, which show the registration number to be transferred, in the vehicle and also attach their registration plates to the new vehicle.
• They must no longer have the previous vehicle.

While you may complete the titling and registration process yourself, the RMV generally encourages vehicle owners to work with insurance agents or auto dealers who can complete bulk transactions in person through its Business 2 Business (B2B) Services to handle these actions. It typically costs around $135 to title and register your vehicle with the RMV; however, actual costs are determined by factors like the vehicle type, its purchase price, the type of license plates you request, and location-specific service charges. The process is typically completed within 6 – 8 weeks, and you must get the vehicle inspected no later than seven days after it has been registered. Be aware that additional fees will apply.

What Are the Requirements for Registering a New Car in Massachusetts?

There are about 5.5 million vehicles registered to operate in Massachusetts. This registration is handled by the state’s Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) and must be done within 10 days of buying a new car or as soon as you establish residence in Massachusetts (for people who move from out-of-state). Vehicle registrations must be done in person at an RMV Service Center, and you will generally need the following to initiate the process:

• A completed Application for Registration and Title Form.
• Proof of vehicle ownership
• Proof of insurance
• A completed Form MVU-29 (for vehicles purchased outside Massachusetts)
• A valid ID
• A $75 titling fee plus registration fees, which typically range from $60 - $100 depending on the vehicle and your designed license plate type

Be aware that vehicle registrations with the RMV have to be renewed annually or biennially. The RMV typically notifies vehicle owners before their registration expires and also offers an online platform that may be used to check your vehicle’s registration status and insurance information at any time.

Renewal fees are also determined by the license plate type. Registration renewals may be done online via the myRMV platform or by mailing a Registration and Title Application Form (along with the necessary fees) to:

Registry of Motor Vehicles
Attention: Mail-In Registration Department
P.O. Box 55891
Boston, MA 02205-5891

Be aware that you must have an active insurance policy on file with the RMV to renew your registration. Issues like a suspended or revoked registration, unpaid parking tickets, excise tax, or EZ-Pass violations, must also be resolved before registration renewal.

Does Massachusetts Mandate Vehicle Inspection?

Per the Code of Massachusetts Regulations (specifically 540 CMR 4.00), all vehicles operated in Massachusetts must pass annual safety and emissions inspections. However, certain vehicles, including medium and light-duty vehicles that are older than 15 years, are exempt from emissions testing.

Vehicle inspections in Massachusetts assess the car's condition, including its brakes, exhaust system, steering, suspension, lighting devices, and emissions systems (where applicable), to ensure compliance with the state’s safety and environmental standards. VIN and odometer verifications are also a crucial part of these inspections, ensuring that the vehicle's details match the records in the state's database and haven't been altered to bypass regulations.

How Do I Get a Replacement VIN in Massachusetts?

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) typically issues replacement VINs (referred to as Massachusetts-assigned VINs) to vehicles with missing or destroyed VINs. These Massachusetts-assigned VINs are also issued for vehicles with new motors, replica vehicles, specially constructed vehicles, custom vehicles, kit cars, street rods, glider kits, and homemade trailers with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 3,000 pounds. Unlike original VINs that typically contain 17 characters, Massachusetts-assigned VINs contain seven characters – the prefix “MA” followed by five digits.

You may obtain a Massachusetts-assigned VIN for your vehicle by taking the following steps:

• Complete an Application for Replacement of Vehicle Identification Number form.
• Submit the completed form, along with a $50 fee, at an RMV Service Center and obtain a payment receipt.
• Contact the Massachusetts State Police Salvage Unit at (857) 368-7394 to schedule a vehicle inspection appointment. This inspection is done to ensure that the vehicle (and its parts) is not stolen and that it is eligible for a replacement VIN.
• At the scheduled inspection appointment, bring two copies of the application form, the original payment receipt, and ownership documents for the vehicle, such as a certificate of origin, title certificate, and bills of sale for any major parts.

Your Massachusetts-assigned VIN will typically be issued if the vehicle is deemed eligible after the inspection.

Does Massachusetts Require a VIN Inspection for Out-of-State Vehicles?

VIN inspections for out-of-state vehicles are not specifically mandated under Massachusetts law. Nevertheless, VIN verifications are typically a part of the state’s vehicle titling and registration process and are generally done to ensure that the car’s VIN matches the provided documentation and that the vehicle complies with relevant regulatory standards.