Legal Research

The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) is a U.S. Department of Justice System operated by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA). The NMVTIS is designed to grant available information about vehicle history (such as reported odometer readings and brands, including flood damage, junk and salvage vehicle data) to the states, law enforcement, prospective purchasers, and insurance carriers in order to reliably verify information on a vehicle prior to issuing a new title.

Effective January 30, 2009 the records will be open to the public. One will be able to check a car's history online for little cost at www.nmvtis.gov. By entering the vehicle's VIN - and if the car was registered in one of the 36 participating states - the following data may be displayed: 1) date title was issued and state where issued; 2) latest recorded mileage information; 3) theft history; and 4) salvage history and if the vehicle was ever designated as a total loss. Effective the same date, the database will also be available for resale purposes by third-party providers, but with contractual obligations.

Reportedly, in March, the salvage records from major insurance companies are to be added to the national database.

The 36 participating states represent over 73% of the U.S. population. Some of the states refusing to participate include California, Illinois, New York, and Pennsylvania.