Free Indiana VIN Check

What to know when buying used cars in Indiana

Before buying a used Indiana car, you should investigate potential car issues or damages on your prospect. It is strongly advised to get a detailed Indiana vehicle history report through a dedicated Indiana VIN check; this can provide valuable information about an Indiana car history, shedding light on previous accidents, repairs, ownership, and other relevant facts. You can potentially miss a lot of red flags if you skip doing an Indiana VIN check during your car shopping. 

Based on the 2022 CBS42 report, Indiana has an average used car price almost on par with the country. Be sure nothing is left to chance when you finally decide to confirm your car purchase.  One way of ensuring that things are right is to carry out an Indiana VIN check. 

Indiana Vehicle History: Before making the final decision to buy a vehicle, it is essential to carry out a thorough examination of its history. It is recommended to ensure that all the original components are present. Moreover, be circumspect regarding any significant damages the car may have suffered previously. For those who are planning to buy used cars, resources like the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS), or private providers of car reports, such as Carfax and Autocheck, can be useful. These can supplement whatever your Indiana free VIN check can release in a dedicated Indiana vehicle history report. 

An Indiana vehicle history report by Indiana VIN lookup may show the following details:

• Vehicle specifications – 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 help 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 initiated 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 on active and expired warranties as well as car insurance policies.

Required Documents: It is imperative to verify the supposed legal documents when buying used cars, which may include the title, registration, and bill of sale. Doing so helps you find out about any potential legal, financial, or safety issues. Unless otherwise indicated, it is the responsibility of the seller to resolve any outstanding debts or legal obligations on the vehicle before transferring ownership to the buyer.

Lemon Law Protections: The Motor Vehicle Protection Act, also known as the Indiana Lemon Law, safeguards residents of Indiana who buy cars that fail to meet specific criteria. To qualify for protection, the issue must be reported during the first 18 months of possessing the vehicle or before driving 18,000 total miles, whichever comes first.

Discover Your Indiana Vehicle History Secrets with Indiana VIN Lookup

No matter how experienced a car buyer is, it is crucial to do an Indiana VIN check to get an Indiana vehicle history report. The Indiana car report can aid in steering clear of purchasing a vehicle that potentially has serious legal, performance, and safety issues.

To avoid getting duped, always perform an Indiana VIN check to determine any outstanding debts or if the car has been stolen or wrecked due to flood damage. With the Indiana VIN check and its detailed Indiana vehicle history reports, buyers can be assured that they are only getting genuine and well-maintained secondhand vehicles.

Indiana BMV

Vehicle registration and titling in Indiana are managed by the state DMV equivalent, Indiana BMV. New residents must register all vehicles owned by them within 60 days of arrival in the state. Within 45 days from the acquisition or purchase date, all vehicles must be registered by Indiana residents. Likewise, failure to apply for the certificate of title within the same time frame will incur an administrative penalty.

Here is a short list of Indiana 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 Indiana license plates
• Vanity or Personalized License Plate Requests
• Motor Vehicle Records

Indiana BMV FAQs

How to register and title a vehicle in Indiana?

Here is a general overview of the process in Indiana:

1. Obtain insurance: Car insurance is mandatory for drivers in Indiana, and there must be minimum liability insurance that protects against both bodily injury and property damage. 

The minimum liability insurance required in Indiana is as follows:

• Uninsured Motorists: Bodily Injury: $25,000/$50,000
• Property Damage: $25,000
• Underinsured Motorists: Bodily Injury: $50,000

Not keeping up with proper car insurance in Indiana could lead to penalties or loss of driving privileges and registration.

2. Get a vehicle inspection: In Indiana, safety inspections for vehicles are not mandatory in general. However, if a vehicle has not been previously titled in Indiana, a VIN inspection is required by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Also, the state’s emissions testing program, which takes place every two years, is required in Lake and Porter counties. 
3. Apply for a vehicle title and registration: You can register your vehicle with the Indiana BMV with myBMV or through an authorized branch. To apply for a vehicle title, you can complete this form and send it to the local Indiana DMV branch. 
4. Pay the fees: It is imperative that you make payments for the fees involved in your Indiana DMV application.
5. Submit the documents: The Indiana 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 Indiana BMV documents. Indiana belongs to the minority of 19 states that require only a single rear license plate to operate cars. 

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

Various factors can affect the prices for registering and titling a vehicle in Indiana, including its age, structure, mass, vehicle classification, and the specific rules and regulations of the receiving state. To acquire an estimate of customary registration and titling expenses, these general guidelines may prove useful to your decision-making. 

Registration/Title Fee: The cost of registering a car in Indiana is $21.50 in addition to a fee of $15 for the title.

License Plate: The charges for the license plate is derived from registration. In the case of a personalized license plate, that would be around $45 

Sales Tax: A sales tax of 7% is charged as part of the purchase. 

Other Fees: For renewals, replacements of lost or damaged items, and other queries, check out the fee chart. 

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

Depending on the Indiana DMV and the vehicle in question, Indiana vehicle registration, and titling service will, more or less, require the following: 

• 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 address
• Proof of social security number / federal identification number
• Completed application form(s): Document(s) required for the official Indiana 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.
• Others may apply due to specific conditions. For instance, a separate odometer reading record (in case the title does not contain it).

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 are Kelley Blue Book and NADA Guides.

Indiana crash report. To guarantee your safety while operating a vehicle, you must carefully examine it for any previous accidents that could potentially pose a danger in the future. It’s wise to opt for vehicles that are in excellent condition. You can obtain valuable details about past incidents or repairs from trustworthy sources such as law enforcement and repair records through Indiana VIN decoder and by studying its Indiana vehicle history report. Indiana had recorded 815 deadly road accidents with 897 fatalities in 2019 (according to the 2019 FARS report), and there are worries about damaged vehicles receiving minor cosmetic improvements before being resold as new. 

Indiana crime report. According to the 2019 US Crime Report by the FBI, there were 13,723 cases of vehicle theft in the state of Indiana during the same year. When purchasing a used car, it’s important to be careful when dealing with sellers who have a reputation for selling shady vehicles. To make sure the car you’re interested in doesn’t have any major legal issues, you should conduct an Indiana VIN check and review the accompanying Indiana vehicle history report.

Indiana natural disasters. Primal Survivor has disclosed that Indiana has been subjected to numerous natural catastrophes, including floods, freezing rain, heatwaves, and other natural disasters that could damage cars under prolonged exposure. Before making a purchase, it is advisable to read an Indiana car report to ensure that the vehicle in question has not suffered significant damage from hidden accidents and that no important detail is kept hidden from you. 

Run the Indiana VIN Check to generate a full Indiana vehicle history report.