There are times when you may need to find the registered owner of a vehicle, for any particular reason, and you’d probably not know where to begin. There are several ways to find this information, but in this article, we will walk you through the process of finding a vehicle’s registered owner by VIN. We’ll cover everything from what a VIN is to how to locate it and what information it contains. We’ll also provide you with tips on how to conduct a VIN lookup, and we’ll explore some of the resources available to help you find the registered owner of a vehicle.
What is a VIN?
A Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN, is a unique 17-digit code (or less in classic cars) that’s assigned to every vehicle during manufacture. This code is like a fingerprint for your car and contains specific information about the vehicle’s make, model, year, and country of origin. The VIN can also reveal information about the car’s features, such as the engine size, transmission type, trim levels, and more. Most importantly, with the VIN, you can gain access to the vehicle’s history and records and easily find the registered owner of any vehicle. If you are not familiar with the use of the VIN or what vehicle history reports are, then we recommend learning more about the Importance Of Accurate Car Reports To Used Car Buyers.
Where is the VIN found?
The VIN can be found in several locations on a vehicle. One of the most common places to find it is on the driver’s side dashboard, near the bottom of the windshield. It can also be located on:
- Door jamb: Open the driver’s side door and look for a sticker or metal plate on the door jamb. The VIN may be listed there.
- Engine block: The VIN can sometimes be found on the engine block, usually near the bottom.
- Certificate of Title: If you are having trouble locating the VIN on the vehicle, you can consider checking the Certificate of Title, which is a legal document that proves ownership of the vehicle.
- Registration card: The VIN may also be listed on the vehicle’s registration card, which is issued by the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles).
- Insurance documents: If you know where the insurance papers of the vehicle are, you should take a look there, and you will be able to find the VIN on the insurance documents.
After finding the VIN, the next step is to do a VIN lookup. There are several vehicle history report providers in the automotive industry, but if you want the best results, we would recommend our VIN check tool for checking the registered owner by VIN.
Find the registered owner of a vehicle by VIN with Instant VIN Reports
Instant VIN Reports provides tools that can decode VINs and check the histories and records of vehicles instantly. With our VIN check tool, you can be sure to find any vehicle’s registered owner by VIN by taking a good look at the ownership records. Car buyers can also find detailed information on the vehicle’s:
- Accident history
- Damage history
- Service history
- Lien and loan records
- Maintenance schedules
- Auction history with more than 10 photos
- Theft records
- Open recalls
- Title brand records
- Ownership history, and more.
To gain access to the ownership history of the vehicle and find its registered owner by VIN, all you need to do is visit the Instant VIN Reports website and navigate to the VIN check tool. There you will find a form; make sure the form is filled out correctly, then proceed to check the vehicle’s ownership history.
The ownership history section of the report contains the following information:
- Date of purchase
- Location of registration or use
- Duration of Ownership
Note that you cannot specifically get the owner’s personal information from a VIN lookup with Instant VIN Reports, but with this information, you can further utilize other sources to identify the vehicle’s last registered owner by VIN. We will take a look at this in the next section.
Tips for Finding the Registered Owner of a Vehicle by VIN
If you have decoded the VIN of the vehicle you are interested in, you must be sure of the location you should focus your search on. With this information, you can look up the registered owner by VIN through one or more of the following channels:
Contact the DMV
After the VIN check, reaching out to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can be a viable option to get more information. Contact the DMV in the state where the vehicle is registered and explain your situation. They may have protocols in place to assist in providing the registered owner’s name and contact information. However, if you don’t have the right reasons, you may be denied access.
Utilize law enforcement
In cases where you’re trying to find the registered owner due to witnessing an accident or incident, contacting the local law enforcement agency can prove helpful. Provide them with the relevant details, such as the VIN and any other information you have, and they can potentially provide you with information about the registered owner of the vehicle.
ALSO READ: How to Check a Motorcycle’s VIN Number
Check the documentation or title of the vehicle
The documentation and title of the vehicle should provide information and details about the past owner(s) of the vehicle. This is an easy way to identify the owner of any used vehicle.
Remember to exercise caution and respect privacy when attempting to find the registered owner of a vehicle, and keep in mind that it is not always possible to locate personal details from owners if you are rightful to get that kind of information. Ensure you’re adhering to legal and ethical guidelines throughout your search.
In today’s interconnected world, it is important to recognize the potential drawbacks of attempting to track down the owner of a vehicle. While the intention behind such an endeavor may be driven by various legitimate reasons, it is crucial to respect privacy boundaries and consider ethical implications. Engaging in unauthorized attempts to uncover personal information about a vehicle owner can intrude upon their privacy rights and lead to unintended consequences. The potential risks include violating legal boundaries, exposing individuals to harassment or stalking, and perpetuating a culture of mistrust. Therefore, it is advisable to prioritize respect for privacy and explore alternative channels when seeking information related to a vehicle or its owner.
While these tips can be helpful, it’s important to note that there is no guaranteed method for finding the registered owner of a vehicle solely through a VIN lookup. However, a VIN lookup with Instant VIN Reports can help point you in the right direction and provide car buyers with accurate information to help them make informed decisions and get reliable vehicles.