Maryland VIN Lookup

The importance of doing your due diligence before buying a car cannot be overstated. There are about 3.98 state-licensed used car dealers for every 100,000 residents in Maryland, offering a wide variety of vehicles at an average cost of $23,934. While this affordability makes used cars a popular choice for most buyers, especially would-be first-time car owners, you must take precautions to avoid purchasing a faulty vehicle.

Maryland’s lemon law is limited to state-registered cars that have been driven for less than 18,000 miles and owned for less than 24 months. While the state also makes legal provisions for mutually agreed “buybacks” between used car dealers and buyers, this protection is extremely limited. Notwithstanding this, you may further protect yourself, and ensure that you get the best value for your money, by conducting a VIN lookup before finalizing any transactions involving used cars. These lookups can reveal critical details about a car’s history - such as its title status, accident reports, recall information, inspection records, existing liens, and more - helping you make an informed decision.

Why Performing a Maryland VIN Check Is Important

Auto manufacturers assign their vehicles a 17-character code, referred to as a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This VIN serves as the car’s unique identifier and can be used to access details about the car, ranging from its specifications and features to its history and current condition. Running a VIN check before purchasing a used car in Maryland is crucial for several reasons:

• Registration and Title Verification: A Maryland VIN check can be used to confirm if a vehicle has been properly titled and registered to operate in the state, as is required by the Maryland Transportation Code. These verifications let you know that the person selling the car has the legal right to do so and also help you avoid penalties for driving an unregistered car in the state, which may include fines of up to $500.
• Odometer Verification: At least 450,000 vehicles with falsified odometer readings are sold across the country every year, potentially costing buyers over $1 billion. With a VIN check, you can verify a car’s actual mileage and avoid overpaying for one with more miles than indicated in its records.
• Title Brands: VIN checks can be used to determine whether a car has a “clean” title or has been branded as “salvage,” “rebuilt,” or “flood-damaged.” Knowing a vehicle’s title status is essential for assessing its safety, reliability, and value.
• Theft Checks: Vehicle thefts are quite prevalent in Maryland, with the number of reported vehicle thefts in the state increasing by over 60 percent in recent years. Running a VIN check before buying a used car helps you avoid legal and financial complications by confirming whether the car has been reported stolen.
• Auto Fraud Prevention: Auto fraud is one of the top ten consumer issues in Maryland and makes up approximately four percent of consumer complaints filed in the state. VIN checks can protect you from these scams by uncovering inconsistencies in a vehicle’s history (such as washed titles or tampered odometers).

How To Perform a Maryland VIN Check

Several state and federal agencies offer resources for performing VIN checks in Maryland. These include:

The NHTSA VIN Decoder:

The NHTSA VIN Decoder tool allows the public to perform VIN checks in Maryland using either a full or partial VIN. It provides safety-related information, such as manufacturing details, engine and transmission type, crash test ratings, and recall notices.

NICB VINCheck:

The VINCheck Lookup service by the NICB helps users check if a vehicle has been reported stolen or salvaged. A full VIN is typically required, and the service is free, with a limit of five searches per IP address within a 24-hour period.

The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA):

While the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) does not directly offer VIN checks, it is the state’s repository for motor vehicle records. The MVA may be able to provide information regarding a vehicle’s title status and other related details upon request. You can contact the MVA’s call center at (410) 768-7000 or 1-800-950-1682 for more information.

Free vs. Paid VIN Check Services in Maryland

Government agencies (and some non-profit organizations) typically offer free access to resources that may be used to perform VIN checks in Maryland. However, while these free VIN check services help get information about a car, they may not always provide comprehensive vehicle history reports. For a more detailed analysis of a vehicle’s history and current condition, you should consider using a paid third-party website, like GoodCar, Carfax, AutoCheck, or CarMart. These premium platforms offer extensive vehicle history information that includes:

• 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 Maryland?

Marylanders are not immune to scams and used car buyers in the state face a variety of these, ranging from misleading advertisements and bogus listings to washed titles and falsified sales documents. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland recently issued a press release stating that a federal grand jury had returned an indictment against two dealers who had reportedly swindled buyers out of thousands of dollars by selling used cars with tampered odometers.

Some of the most common used car scams reported by consumers in Maryland include:

Odometer Rollbacks:

Tampering with a vehicle’s odometer to inflate its value.

Title Washing:

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

Undisclosed Liens:

Failing to disclose outstanding loans on a vehicle, leaving the buyer responsible for these unpaid debts.

VIN Cloning:

Masking a stolen or salvaged car by copying the VIN of a legally registered car on it.

Fake Vehicle Histories:

Providing falsified vehicle records to make a car seem more reliable and valuable.

Curbstoning:

Unlicensed dealers posing as private sellers to avoid regulation.

Unfortunately, unsuspecting buyers often fall prey to these used car scams. As such, when looking to purchase a vehicle in Maryland, you should always keep an eye out for signs of a scam and take the following precautions to avoid getting swindled:

• Do your homework on the type of car you want, and familiarize yourself with its features and estimated sales price.
• Be wary of sellers offering deals that are too good to be true.
• Inspect the car in person and take it for a test drive before making any payments.
• Insist on written warranties and buybacks.
• Read the fine print on any documents you are given, especially ones that you have to sign.
• Perform a VIN check and verify the car’s history using premium platforms like GoodCar.

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

The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) does not currently offer an online platform for verifying title status and lienholder information. However, you can request vehicle registration and titling information by submitting an MVA Request for Record form at any MVA branch office across the state. You will need to provide a valid ID and pay a fee—$12 for uncertified copies or $15 for certified copies.

If you are requesting records for someone other than yourself, you will need to provide additional documentation. This could include a letter of authorization from the vehicle owner, power of attorney, or a court order. For more information, contact the MVA at (410) 768-7000.

How To Register a Brand New Car in Maryland

Marylanders typically have to title and register newly purchased vehicles within 30 days (new residents have 60 days to do this after moving to the state). The vehicle titling and registration process in Maryland is overseen by the state’s Department of Transportation through its Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA).

Maryland dealers typically handle the titling and registration of brand-new cars on behalf of their customers and will usually provide them with a bill of sale and temporary plates pending the issuance of a certificate of title, registration card, and license plates. On the other hand, you will typically have to handle the titling and registration of used cars (whether purchased from a dealer or private seller) and new cars purchased out-of-state by yourself. This process generally involves submitting the following documents to the MVA:

• Proof of vehicle ownership
• An Application for Certificate of Title (you may use the vehicle’s current title for this if it was issued in Maryland and has been properly assigned to you)
• Proof of insurance
• A bill of sale signed by both you and the seller. This document will have to be notarized if the car is older than seven years, was sold for at least $500 below its book value, or if you want to base the excise tax on the car’s sale price instead of its book value (excise tax is typically calculated as 6% of the car’s value).
• A certificate of inspection

Note that additional documents may be required, depending on your specific circumstances. Titling and registration fees are primarily determined by the vehicle type and value and typically range from $110.50 - $161.50 for passenger cars.

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

Approximately 5 million motor vehicles have been registered to operate in Maryland by the state’s Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). You are generally required to title and register newly purchased vehicles with this agency within 30 days (of the purchase). Similarly, new residents to Maryland must title and register their cars with the MVA within 60 days of relocating to the state.

If you buy a brand-new car from a Maryland dealership, they will generally handle the titling and registration process on your behalf. However, when it comes to used cars – whether bought from a dealer or private seller – and new cars purchased out-of-state, you will have to handle the titling and registration yourself. The process may be initiated in person at any of the MVA's full-service branch offices or an MVA-licensed tag and title service; you may also mail the required registration documents to the agency’s Out-of-State Title Unit at:

6601 Ritchie Highway
Glen Burnie, MD 21062

These required documents generally include:

• Proof of ownership, in the form of the vehicle’s current title that has been assigned to you
• An Application for Certificate of Title. You may use the properly assigned title for this, provided that the title was issued in Maryland
• Proof of the vehicle’s purchase price, in the form of a bill of sale signed by both parties (buyer and seller). Note that this document may need to be notarized
• A Maryland safety inspection certificate
• Proof of insurance
• Applicable fees. These include a titling fee, excise tax, and registration fees, and the fees are primarily determined by the type of vehicle and its price/value.

Note that additional documents may be required under certain circumstances, such as an odometer disclosure statement, lien information, and a power of attorney.

Vehicle Registration Renewal

Marylanders have the option of registering their vehicles for one, two, or three years, and must renew their registration once the period elapses. Renewal requirements typically include proof of insurance, a valid safety inspection certificate, and payment of applicable renewal fees (ranging from $110 - $210 for passenger cars). The MVA typically sends out a renewal notice about 60 days before the registration expires, containing instructions on how to renew your registration.

Renewal may be done online through the myMVA platform, via mail, in person at county treasurer’s offices, MVA-licensed title service agents locations, and myMVA kiosks, or by phone at 1-410-768-7000. You will typically receive your new registration card and sticker within 10 days.

Does Maryland Mandate Vehicle Inspection?

Per Title 23 of the Maryland Transportation Code, used vehicles are required to undergo and pass a vehicle safety inspection before being titled and registered in Maryland. This inspection must be performed by a state-licensed inspection station and usually includes VIN and odometer verification to confirm the car’s identity and documented history. Note that Maryland vehicle safety inspections must be conducted no more than 90 days before the vehicle is to be titled and registered. Vehicle owners are also mandated to perform preventive inspection, maintenance, and repairs every 25,000 miles or 12 months (this timeframe may vary for certain vehicles).

In addition to the safety and preventive inspections mentioned above, Maryland requires emissions tests for vehicles. These emissions tests generally have to be performed every two years; however, brand-new vehicles are typically exempted for the first six years, provided that the car is still owned by the original buyer during this period.

How Do I Get a Replacement VIN in Maryland?

The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) may assign you a replacement VIN if your vehicle’s original VIN becomes illegible, destroyed, or has been removed; replacement VINs may also be assigned for homemade/custom-built cars. You may obtain this replacement VIN by completing and submitting an Application for Assigned/Replacement Vehicle Identification Number to the MVA. You will be charged a replacement fee and may be required to provide additional documentation, such as proof of ownership of the car. You can call the MVA at (410) 768-7000 to get more information.

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

Maryland requires a safety inspection for all out-of-state vehicles being titled and registered in the state, and this inspection includes a VIN and odometer verification to ensure that the vehicle’s identity and mileage are accurately recorded.