Free Hawaii VIN Check

What to know when buying used cars in Hawaii

To make your secondhand purchase in Hawaii worthwhile, you should not miss a chance to check for any possible issues or damages in a car. Don’t forget to review a detailed Hawaii vehicle history report using the Hawaii VIN check, which you need to investigate past accidents, repairs, and previous ownerships. 

Based on the 2022 CBS42 report, Hawaii ranks 17th among the states with the lowest average price for used cars. If you intend to purchase a used car in Hawaii, it would be prudent to plan ahead of schedule. One effective way to make an informed decision is by conducting a Hawaii VIN check.

Hawaii Vehicle History: It’s important to fully investigate the history of a vehicle before finalizing a sale. Make sure that all of the original components are present and inspect the vehicle thoroughly for any major damages it may have suffered in the past. Those who are considering purchasing a car can benefit from utilizing resources such as the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) or private providers of car reports like Carfax or Autocheck. These resources can assist in conducting a Hawaii VIN check and generating a detailed Hawaii vehicle history report. 

A Hawaii vehicle history report by Hawaii VIN Check may show the following details:

• Vehicle specifications – refers to the most basic of features, dimensions, performance, and appearance of a car. 
• Accident history – data on past accidents or damages the vehicle has sustained previously
• Title information – shows whether a car possesses a clean title record or if it was branded as salvage, reconstruction, total loss, or others in the past. 
• Ownership history – details on past ownership and the length of time they possessed the car as well as the dates and frequency of ownership transfer.
• Mileage history – the distance tracked by the odometer since a vehicle was first driven; it can be utilized to identify any manipulation of a vehicle’s mileage.
• Vehicle use – checks if a car has past personal or professional purposes, and whether it has ever served as a rental, taxi, or transport car.
• Manufacturer recalls – displays recall data instigated by the car manufacturer, along with a brief description of a defect and proposed fixes. 
• Theft record – shows any status that the vehicle has been marked as stolen or if it is connected to a theft recovery effort. 
• Liens and finance history – shows if a car has outstanding debts or liens that are not yet paid off, or if it has been confiscated for non-payment of loans.
• Others – information regarding currently active and expired warranties as well as car insurance policies.

Required Documents: Before purchasing a used car in Hawaii, it is important to ensure that the seller has provided all necessary legal documents, including the title, registration, and bill of sale, in order to avoid any possible legal, financial, or safety issues. Unless otherwise stated, the seller is responsible for resolving any outstanding debts or legal obligations associated with the vehicle before transferring ownership to the buyer.

Lemon Law Protections: The Hawaii Lemon Law comes to the aid of those who purchase or lease new motor vehicles and encounter frequent issues with getting their vehicles fixed under the manufacturer’s warranty. This law allows consumers to obtain a reimbursement of the purchase price or to receive a replacement vehicle from the manufacturer. If the express warranty is still valid, the Lemon Law Rights Period will come to an end either after two years from the date of the car’s first delivery to you or after it has been driven for 24,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Invest Wisely: Run a Hawaii VIN Check Before Buying a Used Car

It is important for every car buyer, regardless of their experience, to do a Hawaii VIN check to access a Haiwaii vehicle history report, which you can use to can avoid purchasing a vehicle that may have serious performance and safety issues.

To avoid being deceived, a Hawaii VIN decoder can be conducted to determine if the seller has any unpaid debts or if the automobile has been stolen or damaged by flooding. By conducting a thorough Hawaii VIN check and examining a Hawaii vehicle history report, buyers can rest assured knowing they are purchasing a legit good used car.

Hawaii DMV

Vehicle registration and titling in Hawaii are managed by individual county government units. The process may vary per locality. Individuals residing in Hawaii are required to register their cars within 30 days of purchasing the vehicle. Likewise, the protocols for transferring the title must be initiated within the same time frame and submitted to the department responsible for motor vehicle registration.

Here is a short list of Hawaii DMV services car buyers and owners can avail of:

• Title and registrations for vehicles
• Title/registration transfers
• Replacement/Renewals of titles and registrations
• Issuance of Hawaii license plates
• Vanity or Personalized License Plate Requests
• Motor Vehicle Records

Hawaii DMV FAQs

How to register and title a vehicle in Hawaii?

Here is a general overview of the process in Hawaii:

1. Obtain insurance: It is mandatory for drivers in Hawaii to have car insurance and they are required to carry liability insurance that covers both physical injuries and property damage.

The minimum liability insurance required in Hawaii is as follows:

• Bodily injury liability coverage: $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident
• Basic personal injury protection: $10,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $10,000
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist: $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident*

Failing to maintain adequate auto insurance in Hawaii may result in sanctions or revocation of driving or registration rights. 

2. Get a vehicle inspection: In Hawaii, all automobiles must undergo a safety inspection before registration. And this procedure must be repeated every year. Bring your vehicle to an authorized service station and repair shop to begin the process. To legally drive on Hawaii public roads, your car needs to be registered with the county’s vehicle registration office in accordance with the regulations.
3. Apply for a vehicle title and registration: To transfer the ownership of your vehicle or update its registration/title status, applying for a new registration/title certificate is a must. You can begin filling out the vehicle registration form and submitting it to the local county of your residence. 
4. Pay the fees: It is imperative that you make payments for the fees involved in your Hawaii DMV application.
5. Submit the documents: The DMV may require you to provide your necessary documents, payment for the application fee, and the application form either during or after the application process.
6. Get the DMV materials: After turning in all required documents, you will obtain your registration card along with other DMV documents. Additionally, you will be issued a set of Hawaii license plates for your registered vehicle to be mounted on the front and back.

How much does it cost to register and title a vehicle in Hawaii?

Several factors affect the registration and titling fees in Hawaii, such as the vehicle’s age, design, weight, vehicle type, and even the local county rules and regulations. To get an idea of the typical charges for registering or titling a vehicle, these general guidelines can be helpful.

Registration/Title Fee: Every vehicle is liable to pay a yearly tax based on its net weight. The vehicle’s registration should be in the county where it is situated. As for document transfer, an additional $5 might be required. 

Sales Tax: 

• Cars weighing less than 4,000 pounds will cost 1.75 cents per pound.
• Automobiles weighing between 4,001 and 7,000 pounds will incur a charge of 2 cents per pound. 
• Cars weighing between 7,001 and 10,000 pounds will be charged 2.25 cents per pound. 
• Cars weighing over 10,001 pounds will have a flat fee of $300.

Other Fees: Duplicate title or registration costs $5 for each transaction. Meanwhile, a replacement for a lost or damaged plate is $5. Other fees can be seen here. 

Certain fees may be different depending on the scenario. To get the exact pricing information of certain transactions for your vehicle, get in touch with the Hawaii DMV.

What are the usual requirements when registering or titling a vehicle in Hawaii?

The usual paperwork required for Hawaii vehicle registration and titling includes:

• Proof of ownership: Bill of sale, past registration, and past title qualify. Provide a bill of sale and/or title with signatures from both parties (buyer and previous owner/seller) if transferring ownership. 
• Proof of identity: The driver’s license or any government-issued ID.
• Completed application form(s): Document(s) required for the official Hawaii DMV recognition of ownership. 
• Insurance: Proof of liability insurance, such as an insurance card, might be required by DMV agents.
• Smog/Safety certification: This may be required by an attending agent.

Payment of fees/taxes: Fees and taxes must be settled to complete the process.

Other Resources for Car Drivers/Owners

Automotive review sites offer convenient access to expert opinions and assessments for a wide array of vehicles, encompassing compact cars, sports cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks, catering to both current owners and prospective buyers. These platforms feature a variety of models, exploring certain aspects such as characteristics, safety measures, and customer satisfaction, among several others. Edmunds, Car and Driver, and Motor Trend are good examples of automotive review sites. 

Vehicle safety rating websites can offer the latest details about the safety ratings of different vehicle brands and models, equipping potential buyers with the appropriate knowledge to make informed decisions about their next car purchase. To assess a vehicle’s safety rating, the websites employ different criteria, including evaluations of safety features and crash test results. On average, the ratings fall within a range of one to five stars, with five stars being the highest safety rating. NHTSA and IIHS are good examples of vehicle safety rating sites.

Vehicle market value websites provide vehicle accurate and relevant data on car market values, making them a valuable resource for both buyers and sellers in the automobile market. One of the most notable merits of utilizing these platforms is their capability to consider multiple factors that may affect the car’s value, such as the brand, model, year of production, mileage, and popularity of the car among consumers. Two examples of automotive market value sites include Kelley Blue Book and NADA Guides.

Hawaii crash report. To guarantee your safety on the road, it is important to thoroughly examine the vehicle for any previous incidents that could put you at risk in the future. Choose cars that are in good shape. By conducting a Hawaii VIN lookup and reading its Hawaii vehicle history report, you can learn a lot of important details concerning past accidents or damages from law enforcement and other relevant sources. According to the 2019 FARS report, Hawaii suffered around 81 fatal traffic accidents resulting in a total of 85 deaths. Furthermore, concerns have arisen that some of the vehicles engaged in these tragic incidents have been fixed and sold as new to unaware buyers.

Hawaii crime report. The state of Hawaii had 5,254 incidents of vehicle theft in 2019, as reported in the FBI’s 2019 US Crime Report. Be cautious when purchasing secondhand vehicles from sellers who have a track record of dealing with stolen cars. To ensure that a vehicle does not have any significant legal issues, conduct a Hawaii VIN check and examine its Hawaii vehicle history report.

Hawaii natural disasters. Primal Survivor has disclosed that Hawaii has been subjected to numerous natural catastrophes, including hurricanes, tropical storms, tsunamis, and other similar events. Before making your purchase, make sure to carefully examine a Hawaii car report to verify that your desired vehicle has not suffered any significant damage as a result of hidden incidents.

Reveal Your Vehicle’s Past with a FREE Hawaii VIN Check!