Free Iowa VIN Check

What to know when buying used cars in Iowa

When buying a used car in Iowa, it’s important to investigate any potential issues or damages. It’s recommended to obtain a detailed Iowa vehicle history report by using an Iowa VIN check. This report can offer valuable information about Iowa car history, such as previous accidents, repairs, ownership, and other important facts. Skipping this step could cause you to overlook potential problems with the car. According to the 2022 CBS42 report, Iowa’s average used car prices are the third highest in the US. To make sure your car purchase goes smoothly, do an Iowa VIN check.

Iowa Vehicle History: Before buying a car, check its history thoroughly. Look for original components and investigate any past damage. If you’re buying a used car, use resources like NMVTIS, Carfax, and Autocheck to supplement your Iowa free VIN check report. These can supplement whatever your Iowa free VIN check can release in a dedicated Iowa vehicle history report. 

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

• Vehicle specifications – basic 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, reconstructed, total loss, or others in the past. 
• Ownership history – details on past ownership and the length of time they legally owned 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 solutions (if there are any). 
• 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: Verify legal documents when buying used cars, including title, registration, and bill of sale. This can help reveal any legal, financial, or safety issues. Unless the vehicle is sold as is, the seller must resolve any debts or obligations on the vehicle before transferring ownership.

Lemon Law Protections: The Iowa Lemon Law lets car owners make complaints on their own if the manufacturer is at fault. If the manufacturer is responsible, they are obligated to fix or resolve the issue. Check if your vehicle qualifies before pursuing a complaint. Consider consulting a private attorney for legal advice on your specific concerns. If your vehicle doesn’t meet the qualifications, you can’t take action under the law.

Iowa VIN Check: Unravel the Mysterious Past of Your Car in the Hawkeye State!

Car buyers must do an Iowa VIN check, even if they’re familiar with their chosen cars. This will give them an Iowa vehicle history report. The Iowa car report can help them avoid buying a car that might have legal, performance, or safety issues.

To make sure you don’t get tricked by dubious schemers, check the Iowa VIN to see if the car has any unpaid debts, was stolen, or was damaged by floods. The Iowa VIN check gives detailed Iowa vehicle history reports, so you can be sure your used car is legit and in good condition.

Iowa DMV

Vehicle registration and titling in Iowa are managed by the state DMV equivalent, Iowa DOT. Iowa law says that when you move to Iowa, you must register your vehicle with the county treasurer’s office in your county or a nearby county within 30 days. The same rule applies if you want to transfer the title of your vehicle. In Iowa, you must have license plates on the front and back of your vehicle if it is registered in the state.

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

Iowa DMV FAQs

How to register and title a vehicle in Iowa?

Here is a general overview of the process in Iowa:

1. Obtain insurance: Drivers in Iowa have to get car insurance that covers minimum liability requirements for bodily injury and property damage.

The minimum liability coverage required in Iowa is as follows:

• $20,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident
• $40,000 for bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one accident
• $15,000 for injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident

If you don’t have the required car insurance in Iowa, you may face corresponding penalties and punishments.

2. Get a vehicle inspection: You don’t have to get emissions, VIN, or safety inspections in Iowa. But, it’s recommended to follow these rules to stay safe and meet regulations if you plan to move to another state.
3. Apply for a vehicle title and registration: You can begin your registration/titling journey by filling out this form and sending it to an Iowa-authorized DOT branch. 
4. Pay the fees: Pay the fees required for your Iowa DMV application or transaction to complete the process.
5. Submit the documents: When you apply for a document or transaction in Iowa, you will need to satisfy the Iowa DMV requirements before or during the process.
6. Get the DMV materials: Once you submit all the necessary papers, you’ll receive your registration, title certificate, and other Iowa DOT or DMV papers. Iowa, like most states, needs two license plates for driving cars.

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

Many factors can influence the costs related to vehicle registration and title in Iowa, including age, structure, weight, vehicle classification, and specific state rules and regulations. To get a good idea of the registration and titling costs you may face, keep in mind these standard fees. 

Registration: The fee for a car between the ages of 1 and 5 is $20, while the fee for a model car that is six years old or older is $10.

Title: Expect to pay between $10 and $25 for application or transfer. 

License Plate: The cost for a regular license plate is $35. After a year, you’ll need to renew it for $10.

Sales Tax: Iowa levies a sales tax of 6% on all vehicle purchases. When a person buys a car in Iowa, they are required to pay this tax on top of the purchase price of the vehicle. This means that if the car costs $10,000, the total price owed would be $10,600 after the sales tax is included.

Other Fees:  If you lose your car registration or it gets mutilated, it costs $3 to get a new one. For similar reasons, it takes $2 to get a new title copy. If you need new license plates, it is going to cost you $5.

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

The usual paperwork required for Iowa 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 and/or address: Driver’s license or any government or company-issued ID/paper
• Completed application form(s): Document(s) required for the official Iowa 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 are Kelley Blue Book and NADA Guides.

Iowa crash report. It’s best to pick a car that’s in great shape. You can find out about any previous accidents or fixes by checking the Iowa VIN decoder and getting a corresponding Iowa vehicle history report. In 2019, there were 304 deadly car crashes in Iowa that killed 307 people, according to the 2019 FARS report. People are concerned that some of these cars may be sold as new after only getting small cosmetic fixes.

Iowa crime report. In 2019, the FBI (in their 2019 US Crime Report) said there were 5,142 cars stolen in Iowa. Be cautious when buying a used car from sketchy sellers. Check the car history through an Iowa VIN check and Iowa vehicle reports to avoid any legal problems.

Iowa natural disasters. Iowa PBS has disclosed that snowstorms and tornadoes are the most common natural disasters to hit the state. These could potentially damage cars, including the cars that you may consider buying. It’s a good idea to check an Iowa car report before buying a car. This will help you make sure there was no secret damage from accidents and that you know all the important details.

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