Maine VIN Lookup

Buying a used car can be a cost-effective choice, but it is important to be mindful of potential risks. Unlike some states, Maine does not have a specific lemon law for used cars. However, in some cases, the state’s lemon law may apply if the vehicle is within its 'term of protection’. This protection period includes the duration of the manufacturer’s express warranty, or three years from the date of delivery to the original consumer buyer, or 18,000 miles of use, whichever comes first. With over 203 used car dealers in Maine and an average used car price of $24,576, buyers must take extra precautions to ensure they are making a well-informed decision.

One of the most effective ways to do this is through a VIN lookup. This simple tool provides valuable information about a vehicle’s history, including accident reports, recalls, existing liens, inspection records, and other important details.

Why Performing a Maine VIN Check Is Important

A VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a distinct 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. When buying a car, especially a used one, a VIN check is one of the best steps you can take. It allows you to identify possible red flags and avoid costly mistakes before finalizing your purchase.

When you run a Maine VIN check, you can find the following essential information:

• Registration and Title Verification: Title 29-A Section 351 of the Maine Revised Statutes mandates that all vehicles operated on public roads be duly registered and titled with the local municipal office or the Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch office. Failure to comply can lead to penalties, including fines of up to $500 or, in certain cases, a Class E crime if the vehicle has never been registered by its current owner. Conducting a VIN check helps confirm a vehicle’s registration status, verify its title, and ensure the seller has the legal right to transfer ownership.
• Odometer Verification: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that over 450,000 vehicles are sold every year with deliberately tampered odometer readings, costing buyers approximately $1 billion. Conducting a VIN check helps verify a vehicle’s official odometer reading, protecting you from such scams and ensuring that you pay a fair market price for the vehicle.
• Title Brands: A VIN check is a valuable resource for verifying a vehicle’s title brand and understanding its past, current condition, and potential risks. If a title brand such as "salvage," "flood damaged," "junk," "rebuilt," or any other similar term, is detected, it typically signals that the vehicle has sustained significant damage and undergone substantial repairs.
• Theft Checks: With a car theft rate of 79 per 100,000 inhabitants, buying a used vehicle in Maine calls for extra vigilance. 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 makes up three percent of all fraud cases in Maine, making it a significant issue to look out for when buying used cars. A VIN check can reveal discrepancies like tampered odometer readings or fraudulent title alterations, minimizing your risk of being scammed.

How To Perform a Maine VIN Check

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

National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS):

The NMVTIS is a federal online system designed to protect consumers from title fraud, unsafe vehicle purchases, and the resale of stolen vehicles. The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) does not directly provide vehicle history reports to the public. Instead, it uses NMVTIS to verify vehicle data for internal processes, such as checking for stolen, junk, or salvage vehicles. You can access NMVTIS data through approved providers, some of which offer vehicle history reports for little or no cost.

The NHTSA VIN Decoder:

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

NICB VINCheck:

The NICB VINCheck lookup service allows users to verify if a vehicle has been reported stolen or salvaged. You will typically need the full VIN, and users are limited to five searches per day.

Free vs. Paid VIN Check Services in Maine

While government agencies (and some nonprofit organizations) offer basic VIN checks at no cost, these typically provide limited information. For a more detailed report, you may need to use a paid third-party service. Platforms like GoodCar, VinAudit, iSeeCars, EpicVin, and CarFax are among the top choices in Maine. For a nominal fee, these platforms offer detailed vehicle history reports that can include:

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

What Used Car Scams Are Common in Maine?

When buying used cars, Mainers should be vigilant against various scams ranging from fraudulent online car listings to unlicensed dealers selling "lemons." Recently, the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) revealed a VIN cloning scheme where dealers swapped out the VINs of stolen vehicles with those from legally registered cars, making the stolen cars seem legitimate. One unsuspecting Mainer purchased two GMC pickup trucks, only to find out during the title application process that the original VINs had been removed and replaced with numbers from salvaged vehicles, rendering the trucks unregistrable. Some other commonly used car scams in Maine include:

Curbstoning:

Illegally selling used cars for a profit; this is usually perpetrated 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 is.

Unfortunately, scams like these are all too common in the used car market, often leading to significant financial losses and legal implications for unsuspecting buyers. This highlights the importance of staying vigilant when purchasing a vehicle. To help you avoid falling victim to a used car scam in Maine, consider taking these essential precautions:

• Have a clear idea of the kind of vehicle you wish to buy, its average price, and its features.
• Be mindful of deals that seem too good to be true.
• Review the title, maintenance records, and any other relevant paperwork carefully.
• 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 Maine?

The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) does not directly provide vehicle history reports to the public. Instead, it relies on the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) for internal verification processes, such as checking for stolen, junk, or salvage vehicles.

If you want to check the status of your vehicle's title in Maine, the BMV recommends using the NMVTIS through its network of approved data providers. By entering the vehicle’s VIN into one of these providers’ platforms, you can access important details such as title history, previous branding (e.g., salvage or flood damage), and any potential discrepancies. The service is typically provided at little to no cost.

How To Register a Brand New Car in Maine

Once you buy a car in Maine, you must title and register it through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), which operates under the Maine Department of the Secretary of State. The registration process typically begins at your local town office. Depending on whether your municipality participates in the state’s registration program, you may be able to complete the entire process at the local municipal office or be required to visit a BMV branch office. Also, the steps you follow will vary depending on whether the car was purchased from a Maine-licensed dealer or through a private sale.

If you want to register a car purchased from a Maine-licensed dealer, you will need to take the following steps:

• Visit your local municipal office to pay the excise tax: The excise tax is calculated based on the value of your vehicle. If the car is brand new, you must present the manufacturer’s suggested retail price sticker (Monroney Label) or a copy to the tax collector.
• Gather Required Documents: These include the bill of sale or sales agreement provided by the dealer, a blue title application form if the vehicle is a 1995 model year or newer, proof of insurance (such as an insurance card, policy, or binder), and the white and yellow copies of the registration application and excise tax receipt obtained from the town office.
• Submit Your Application: If your municipality participates in the BMV’s registration program, you can complete the registration process at your local municipal office. Otherwise, you will need to visit the BMV branch office to finalize your registration. You should contact your local municipal office beforehand to confirm registration services.
• Pay the registration fees: Fees vary depending on the type of license plate you select. If you wish to personalize your vehicle, vanity plates are available for an additional $25 annually. If you require a disability plate, a physician’s signature is necessary to complete the application.

While the overall steps for registering a vehicle purchased through a private sale are similar, there are some key differences, which include:

• Required Documents: Private sales require a signed bill of sale, the vehicle title (for vehicles from model year 1995 or newer) duly signed over to you by the previous owner(s), proof of insurance, and white and yellow copies of the registration application and excise tax receipt.
• Additional Costs: In addition to paying the excise tax and registration fees, you must also pay a 5.5% sales tax based on the vehicle’s purchase price, a title application fee of $33 for vehicles from model year 1995 or newer, and the registration fee, which depends on the type of license plate you choose.

Does Maine Mandate Vehicle Inspection?

Per Title 29-A Section 1751 of the Maine Revised Statutes, all motor vehicles must undergo an annual safety inspection, though owners may choose to have their vehicles inspected more frequently. In addition, vehicles registered in Cumberland County are required to pass an emissions test. These vehicle inspections are usually conducted at licensed automobile dealerships, service stations, and garages.

During the inspection, technicians assess the vehicle’s overall condition to ensure compliance with Maine’s safety and environmental standards. Key components examined include the brakes, windshield wipers, horn, tires, exhaust system, steering, rearview mirrors, and safety seat belts on 1966 and subsequent models, lighting devices, and emissions systems (where applicable). VIN and odometer verifications also serve to confirm that the vehicle’s details match the state’s records and have not been altered to circumvent regulations.

How Do I Get a Replacement VIN in Maine?

The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) issues new Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) to vehicles with missing, destroyed, or never-assigned VINs. These Maine-assigned VINs are issued directly by the BMV after an inspection and verification process.

You can obtain a Maine-assigned VIN for your vehicle by following these steps:

• Complete an Application and Assignment of New Vehicle Identification Number (Form MVT-6).
• Mail the completed Form MVT-6, along with copies of documents showing a complete chain of ownership, and the applicable fee to Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles—Title Section, 101 Hospital Street, #29 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0029.
• The BMV Title Section will review your application, and if approved, will assign a new permanent VIN to your vehicle.
• A Bureau of Motor Vehicle detective will contact you to schedule an appointment to inspect your vehicle to verify that the VIN is indeed missing or illegible. If the vehicle passes inspection, the BMV detective will affix the new VIN to your vehicle.

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

VIN inspections for out-of-state vehicles are not explicitly required under Maine law. However, VIN verifications are typically part of the state’s vehicle registration process, especially when registering a vehicle previously titled in another state. This verification ensures that the vehicle’s VIN matches the provided documents and that the car meets Maine’s regulatory standards.

After registering your vehicle in Maine, it must be inspected annually. If you are moving from a state without a vehicle inspection requirement, you will need to request a temporary permit from the municipal office. This permit allows you to legally drive your newly registered vehicle to an inspection station immediately after registration. Conversely, if your previous state required vehicle inspections, Maine will accept the valid out-of-state inspection sticker until it expires. Once it does, you must have your vehicle inspected in Maine to remain compliant with local regulations.