Missouri VIN Lookup

Over 660 registered used car dealers operate in Missouri, roughly translating to a rate of about 10.77 dealers per 100,000 residents. With the average cost of used vehicles in the state hovering around $24,140, buying a used car is often considered a smart financial move, especially for first-time owners. However, there are also certain risks involved.

Missouri’s Lemon Law (or any other state laws) does not cover used cars or specifically protect individuals who purchase these vehicles. Instead, buyers generally have to rely on warranties (both written and implied) to ensure that a car is fit for its intended purpose. This means that you are largely responsible for making sure that you do not end up with a faulty vehicle when buying used cars.

You can protect yourself and mitigate the risk of ending up with a faulty car by conducting a VIN lookup. These VIN lookups typically reveal critical details about a car’s history, such as its title status, existing liens (if any), accident reports, inspection records, recall information, and other relevant information that can help you make an informed decision.

Why Performing a Missouri VIN Check Is Important

A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique 17-character code assigned to a vehicle by its manufacturer that can be used to look up critical information about the vehicle, including its features, history, and current condition. Running a Missouri VIN check, especially before buying a used car, is essential for several reasons, such as:

• Registration and Title Verification: VIN checks can help you verify if a vehicle has been properly titled and registered to operate in the state, in compliance with Chapter 301 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri. This helps you confirm that the seller has the legal right to transfer the title and also avoid being penalized for driving without a valid registration, which is considered a class B misdemeanor offense in Missouri.
• Odometer Verification: Over 450,000 vehicles are sold annually with falsified odometer readings, costing buyers approximately $1 billion every year. A VIN check can verify the accuracy of a vehicle’s odometer reading, protecting you from paying more than a car is worth.
• Title Brands: VIN checks are often used to confirm whether a car has a clean title or if it has been branded as “salvage,” “rebuilt,” “flood-damaged,” or undergone other significant repairs. Having a clear idea of a vehicle’s title designation is vital for assessing its safety and reliability, and also helps you avoid cars with problematic histories.
• Theft Checks: Missouri has a vehicle theft rate of 441.61 thefts per 100,000 people, one of the highest in the country. Running a VIN check before buying a used car in the state can reveal if the car has been reported stolen, helping you avoid legal and financial headaches.
• Auto Fraud Prevention: VIN checks generally identify inconsistencies in a vehicle’s records, such as washed titles and tampered odometer readings, making them a good way to avoid auto-related scams. According to the Federal Trade Commission, these types of scams are included in the sixth most common category of scams in Missouri and represent four percent of the total fraud cases reported in the state.

How To Perform a Missouri VIN Check

Performing a VIN check in Missouri is a relatively straightforward process that can be done using various state and federal resources, including:

The NICB VINCheck Lookup:

The NICB VINCheck Lookup service is free and allows users to check if a vehicle has been reported stolen or salvaged. Simply enter the full VIN in the designated field and click “Search VIN.” Note that users are limited to five searches per IP address within a 24-hour period.

The NHTSA VIN Decoder:

The NHTSA VIN Decoder tool provides free access to vehicle details, with a particular focus on safety-related information. VIN checks can be done using either a full or partial VIN, and the search results typically include the vehicle’s manufacturing plant, model year, engine and transmission type, safety ratings, and open recalls.

The Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR):

The Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) uses the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) to verify titles and vehicle history information. The DOR may provide access to this information upon request. Contact the DOR at (573) 526-3669, Option 3 for more information. Fees may apply for this service.

Free vs. Paid VIN Check Services in Missouri

Even though several government agencies and non-profit organizations offer free VIN check services, these resources may not always provide detailed vehicle history reports and should not wholly be relied on when buying cars, especially used ones. It is recommended that you do additional due diligence before finalizing the purchase; one way to do this is by running a deeper VIN check through a third-party platform that offers this service. Websites like GoodCar, CarMart, Autocheck, and CarFax stand out as premier examples of reputable third-party platforms that offer comprehensive vehicle history reports in Missouri for a nominal fee. Vehicle history reports obtained from these sites typically contain a broad scope of details, including:

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

What Used Car Scams Are Common in Missouri?

The Lebanon Police Department recently announced that it was investigating an ongoing bogus car listings scam that had already affected several small businesses in the area. The state’s Attorney General also similarly announced that it had recently obtained a judgment against a Laclede County car dealer who had failed to provide certificates of titles to customers or deliver on promised warranty work.

From deceptive advertising and undisclosed add-on fees and charges to bogus listings and forged sales documents, Missourians are at risk of different types of used car scams. Common examples of these scams include:

Curbstoning:

This involves unlicensed dealers posing as private sellers to evade regulation. Customers who fall for curbstoners usually end up with damaged, unsafe, and/or uninsurable vehicles.

Title Washing:

Here, the scammer alters the vehicle’s title to hide its salvage, flood-damaged, or rebuilt status, making it appear clean.

VIN Cloning:

This involves copying the VIN from a legally registered car and using it on a stolen or salvaged car to mask its true identity.

Odometer Rollbacks:

Here, the scammer tampers with a car’s odometer to make it seem less used and inflate its value.

Fake Vehicle Histories:

This involves the scammer providing fabricated maintenance or accident reports to make a car seem more reliable than it is.

Undisclosed Liens:

Here, the scammer deliberately fails to disclose outstanding loans on the vehicle, leaving the buyer responsible for unpaid debts.

You can protect yourself from falling victim to used car scams in Missouri by taking these precautions:

• Do your research on the car beforehand, and pay particular attention to its market value and features.
• Avoid deals that are too good to be true; this is usually an indication of hidden issues with the car.
• Always request and review the car’s title and other relevant documents.
• Insist on a written warranty or return policy, especially if you are buying from a private seller.
• Always inspect the car in person before making any payments. You can also consider getting a trusted mechanic to evaluate its condition.
• Use reputable resources like GoodCar to conduct a VIN check and verify the vehicle’s history before finalizing the transaction.

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

Currently, Missouri does not offer a state-provided online platform for checking vehicle title status. However, you can verify a vehicle’s title history, lienholder information, and mileage history by contacting the Department of Revenue (DOR). The DOR maintains motor vehicle records and may provide access to these records upon request.

To obtain these records, you will typically need to complete and mail a Form 4803 - Request for Information to the following address:

Motor Vehicle Bureau
Record Center
P.O. Box 2048
Jefferson City, MO 65105-2048

You can also submit the completed form via email or in person at the DOR’s Central Office located at:

Harry S Truman State Office Building
301 West High Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101

Motor vehicle records in Missouri generally cost $2.82 per record, though additional service charges may apply. Note that, as per state privacy laws, access to certain motor vehicle records or specific information may be restricted. For more information, contact the DOR at (573) 526-3669, Option 3.

How To Register a Brand New Car in Missouri

Newly purchased cars in Missouri must be titled and registered with the state’s Department of Revenue within 30 days from the date of purchase (new residents must also register their vehicles within 30 days of establishing residency). This process typically involves the following steps:

• Gather the necessary documents: These typically include:
  • A Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (for brand new cars) or the vehicle’s properly assigned Certificate of Title (for used cars, whether bought from a dealer or private seller).
  • Form 108 - Application for Missouri Title and License.
  • Proof of financial responsibility.
  • Proof of personal property tax payment.
• Complete a safety inspection: Residents of St. Louis City, and Jefferson, St. Charles, and St. Louis Counties may also need to undergo an emissions inspection.
• Take the completed forms and supporting documents to a license office.

• Pay all applicable titling and registration fees.

Your registration will be processed after all required documents and fees have been correctly submitted, and you will receive license plates for the vehicle once this is done.

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

Whether you’re a Missourian who has just purchased a new car or you just moved to Missouri from another state, you must title and register your vehicle within 30 days of the purchase or establish residency. This process is handled by the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) – recent data suggests that more than 5.6 million registered motor vehicles are operating in the state.

Vehicle titling and registration in Missouri may be done at any of the DOR’s license offices, and you will typically need the following documents to complete the process:

• A Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin if the car is brand new or a properly assigned Certificate of Title if it’s a used car.
• A completed and signed Application for Missouri Title and License form.
• Proof of payment of personal property tax. This may be a copy of the tax receipt for the previous year or a non-assessment statement from your county of residence (or St. Louis City, where applicable).
• A current insurance card, or other acceptable proof of financial responsibility.
• A safety inspection certificate issued within the last 60 days (90 days if the car was bought from a Missouri dealer who handled the inspection within 60 days of the purchase).
• An emissions inspection report issued within the last 60 days – this is only required for vehicles registered to operate in Jefferson, St. Charles, and St. Louis Counties as well as St. Louis City.
• Any additional document the licensing office deems necessary at the time of the titling and registration.

The cost of titling and registering a car in Missouri is primarily determined by the vehicle type, applicable taxes, and indicated registration validity period. Registrations are typically valid for one year; however, vehicles with an even-numbered model year may get a two-year registration in an even-numbered year, while vehicles with an odd-numbered model year may get the same in an odd-numbered year.

Vehicle Registration Renewal

The DOR typically sends out renewal notices outlining the required documents and steps needed to renew your registration. However, it is ultimately your responsibility to ensure that your registration is renewed before midnight on the last day of its expiration month. Registration renewals may be done in person at a license office, via mail (following the instructions in your renewal notice), online, or by calling (573) 751-1957 (note that online and phone renewal options may not be available to everyone).

The DOR also offers a Renewal Requirements Inquiry System that you can use to obtain a list of the requirements for registration renewal. These typically include:

• The registration renewal notice from the department or an Application for Motor Vehicle License form if you didn’t get a renewal notice.

• Proof of personal property tax payment.

• Proof of financial responsibility.

• A valid safety inspection certificate (and emissions inspection report, where applicable).

• Applicable renewal fees.

Does Missouri Mandate Vehicle Inspection?

Chapter 307 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri requires all vehicles in the state to pass a safety inspection. However, certain vehicles are exempted from this requirement, including:

• Vehicles that are less than 10 years old and have less than 150,000 miles on their odometer
• Vehicles that weigh 26,000 pounds or more and are registered for a period of less than 12 months

The safety inspection (which usually includes a VIN and odometer verification) must be performed by an authorized inspection station and is required to title and register a car in the state or renew your registration. Note that Missouri safety inspection certificates are only valid for 60 days or 90 days in situations where you buy a car from a Missouri dealer who handled the inspection within 60 days before the purchase.

In addition to the safety inspection, vehicles registered in St. Louis City, and St. Charles, St. Louis, and Jefferson Counties are also subject to an emissions inspection, as mandated by Chapter 643 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri. These emissions inspections are administered by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (in conjunction with the Missouri State Highway Patrol) and generally involve testing the vehicle’s On-Board Diagnostics system.

How Do I Get a Replacement VIN in Missouri?

You will typically need a replacement VIN for your vehicle if its original VIN is damaged, missing, or has been altered; replacement VINs are also usually required for homemade vehicles, salvage rebuilds, and custom-built cars. To obtain this replacement VIN, you will need to properly complete and submit a Form 5062 - Application for Vehicle/Trailer Identification Number Plate to the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) and pay a $13.50 replacement and processing fee. Be sure to read the instructions on the form carefully to avoid mistakes. Queries may also be directed to the DOR at (573) 526-3669.

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

Any vehicle that has been previously titled in another state must undergo an inspection to verify its VIN and odometer reading before it can be titled and registered in Missouri. This inspection must be performed by a Missouri-authorized inspection station and is usually included in the state-mandated vehicle safety inspections.