Delaware VIN Lookup

With 98 car dealers and an average used car costing $23,469, getting a used car in Delaware is a viable option, especially when trying to cut costs or have a budget. However, it is important to ensure the vehicle you buy meets safety and durability standards, especially as Delaware Lemon Laws does not cover used vehicles. You should inspect the car for faults and ensure it can serve the purpose you are buying it for.

To guard against the possibility of purchasing a defective vehicle that you will not be able to return, it is crucial to perform an extensive check, which includes a VIN lookup of the vehicle's history. This is an excellent way to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the car. VIN lookups typically include crucial information about a car's history, including accident reports, recalls, inspection logs, active liens, and other relevant details regarding the car's overall state.

Why Performing a Delaware VIN Check Is Important

VIN, also known as Vehicle Identification Number, is a unique 17-character code used to identify a specific vehicle and to obtain crucial details about its attributes, origin, and current state. VIN checks can be quite useful when buying a car, especially a used one. It is crucial to carry out a VIN lookup before finalizing your transaction, to avoid potential issues. You may find the following important information when you conduct a VIN check on a vehicle you want to purchase:

• Registration and Title Verification: According to Delaware Code Title 21, it is illegal to own or drive a vehicle that is not duly registered in the state. Doing so can attract a fine of $400–$600 (for first offense). Repeat offenders risk a fine of $800–$1,200, 10 to 30 days in jail, or both for each subsequent offense. A VIN check is a great way to verify the car's title, registration status, and seller's legal right to sell it without having to deal with such legal troubles.
• Odometer Verification: A vehicle's odometer indicates how far it has driven. You can confirm a vehicle's official odometer reading by carrying out a VIN lookup. This is especially necessary since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that over 450,000 vehicles with intentionally fabricated odometer readings are sold annually, costing consumers more than $1 billion. By employing VIN checks, you can ensure that you pay a fair market price for a used car and avoid becoming a victim of these frauds.
• Title Brands: To determine the title brand of a vehicle, you can perform a VIN check. These checks disclose the car's history, state, and potential hazards. It is often a sign of major damage and repairs if the brand appears as "salvage," "flood damaged," "junk," "rebuilt," or something similar.
• Theft Checks: The number of recorded auto thefts in Delaware has increased by 15% in recent years, with a car theft rate of 135 per 100,000 residents. Checking a vehicle's VIN to verify if it has been reported stolen might help you avoid the financial and legal consequences of buying stolen goods.
• Avoiding Auto Fraud: 3 percent of Delaware's fraud cases are related to auto fraud, with 337.9 auto fraud cases for every 100,000 citizens. This is something that should be considered when buying a used vehicle. Inconsistencies like rolled-out odometer readings and cleaned or forged titles can be found by performing a VIN check to ensure you are not being defrauded.

How To Perform a Delaware VIN Check

Several state and federal agencies in Delaware allow you to conduct a VIN check. These include:

Delaware DMV:

The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles provides a Citizen VIN Inspection portal for VIN checks. By entering the VIN, users can view inspection details including date, time, result, as well as the vehicle’s make, model, year, odometer reading, and inspection location.

The NHTSA VIN Decoder:

Use the NHTSA's VIN Decoder to obtain information about a vehicle’s manufacturer, production location, engine and transmission specs, model year, safety features, safety ratings, and recalls. This tool supports both full and partial VINs.

NICB VINCheck:

The VINCheck lookup service from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reveals if a vehicle has been reported stolen or salvaged. A full VIN is required, and the system limits users to five searches per day.

Free vs. Paid VIN Check Services in Delaware

While government agencies and some nonprofit organizations offer free VIN checks, you may need to use a paid third-party website to get comprehensive vehicle information—especially when you need to make an informed decision when buying a used vehicle.

Platforms like CarFax, iSeeCars, AutoCheck, and GoodCar are the best choices for doing VIN checks in Delaware. These websites provide inexpensive, thorough automobile history records, and they consist of:

• Accident history
• Inspection records
• NHTSA crash test ratings
• Odometer/mileage verification
• Ownership records
• Rebuild records
• Retail, trade-in, and private-party pricing
• Safety defects and recalls
• Sales history
• Service and maintenance records
• Title brands
• Title details
• Vehicle specifications, and much more!

What Used Car Scams Are Common in Delaware?

Two Delaware men were arrested in connection with fraudulently selling vehicles through businesses they operated in Frankford, where detectives found evidence that the men sold cars that were in for repair, falsified title documents, sold cars that had already been purchased, and even sold stolen cars from out of state. Delawareans trying to purchase a vehicle may be vulnerable to various fraudulent tactics like these, as well as false Internet ads. Other common frauds involving used cars in Delaware include:

Deposit Fraud:

Listing a car for less than it’s worth to attract eager buyers, only to ask for a significant deposit to take the car off the market—and then disappearing once the buyer pays.

The “Just Needs” Scam:

Falsely advertising a car as being in perfect working condition but claiming it “just needs” a small repair, when in reality, the condition is much worse.

VIN Cloning:

Transferring a vehicle's VIN to another vehicle—typically one that has been stolen or salvaged—to conceal the original vehicle's identity.

Fake Vehicle Histories:

Providing fictitious accident reports or maintenance logs to make a car seem more valuable and well-maintained than it actually is.

Gift Card Scam:

Requesting gift cards as payment for the vehicle—an untraceable and unrefundable method used to exploit buyers.

Scams like these are rife in the used car industry. As such, it is crucial to be very careful when buying cars. These scams usually result in large monetary losses and legal consequences for unsuspecting consumers. When buying a car in Delaware, you should consider putting the following safety precautions into place to avoid falling for a used car scam:

1. Steer clear of using any currencies that may be untraceable, like gift cards.
2. Do not make large upfront payments.
3. Do your own research.
4. Avoid deals that appear too good to be true.
5. Use trustworthy services like GoodCar to properly verify the vehicle's VIN before finalizing the deal.

How Do I Check the Status of My Vehicle's Title in Delaware?

It’s important to check a vehicle’s title status in Delaware before making a purchase or to verify the accuracy of existing lienholder information. This helps prevent potential issues such as unpaid liens or incorrect ownership records that could interfere with future use, sale, or transfer of the vehicle.

To check a vehicle’s title in Delaware, you’ll need the vehicle identification number (VIN). Currently, the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles does not provide an online title check service. You can request title information by visiting a DMV office in person or by contacting the department via email or phone.

How To Register a Brand New Car in Delaware

The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles is responsible for registering new vehicles in Delaware. It is advisable to register your vehicle as soon as possible to avoid legal trouble. After passing a vehicle inspection, visit any Delaware DMV office to register your car. You will need to present the following:

• Proof of Delaware auto insurance
• Your Delaware driver’s license
• The vehicle’s title signed over to you
• Payment for all vehicle registration fees

Delaware dealers are likely to provide you with the appropriate registration and titling documents. Ask your dealer to confirm if this has already been done if you are unsure.

What Are the Requirements for Registering a New Car in Delaware?

Delaware has about 467,268 motor vehicle registrations annually. You can renew your vehicle registration up to 90 days before its expiration date. Six-year-old vehicles are renewed for one year without an inspection, while all other vehicles are renewed for two years with a successful inspection. Before renewing, you must give the DMV a copy of your vehicle's odometer reading and proof of current Delaware liability insurance. Before being renewed, all other vehicles must pass inspection.

Motor vehicles weighing 5,000 pounds or less are subject to an annual fee of $40.00. Commercial vehicles weighing more than 5,000 pounds are subject to an annual levy of $40.00 for the first 5,000 pounds and $18.00 for each thousand pounds beyond that. Before renewing, owners of vehicles weighing more than 55,000 pounds must present a current Federal Heavy Weight Use Tax Form 2290. Any renewals made after the vehicle's registration has expired are subject to a $20.00 late fee.

Does Delaware Mandate Vehicle Inspection?

Under the Motor Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program and 7 DE Admin. Code 1126 and 1131, Delaware requires all vehicles to undergo safety and emissions inspections once every two years.

These inspections ensure compliance with state safety standards by checking critical components such as lights, brakes, horns, wipers, seat belts, tires, suspension, and shocks. They also verify adherence to environmental regulations. Emissions testing is free of charge and is not required for the first seven model years of a vehicle.

Additionally, VIN and odometer checks are conducted to ensure the vehicle’s identity matches state records and has not been altered to conceal fraud or theft.

How Do I Get a Replacement VIN in Delaware?

There are valid reasons why someone would want to replace their VIN in Delaware, such as if it is damaged, missing, or altered. There may also be a need to replace the VIN if you are dealing with a homemade vehicle or a car rebuilt from salvage. While the Delaware DMV does not provide replacement VINs, you can request a duplicate title for a vehicle.

To get a duplicate title, you must complete an Application for Duplicate Title (MV213). The application must include the following information:

• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
• Make, Model, Year, and Color of the vehicle
• Owner(s) name(s) and address
• Owner(s) signature(s)
• Driver License/ID number(s)
• License Plate Number (including all prefixes like PC, C, CL, MC, etc.)
• Expiration of the tag/registration

Does Delaware Require a VIN Inspection for Out-of-State Vehicles?

Delaware mandates that the VIN of any vehicle purchased out of state that is seven model years or newer must be validated. Before a Delaware title may be given, your car must be examined at any DMV Inspection Lane. Note that there are titling fees and other fees attached.