North Carolina VIN Search

What is a VIN or vehicle identification number?

VIN stands for "vehicle identification number." It is the unique code assigned by manufacturers for a specific automobile. A VIN is the automotive equivalent of a social security number that helps the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) and dealerships identify a vehicle. No two vehicles in operation have the same VIN.

A VIN is made up of 17 alphanumeric characters with each letter or number revealing vehicle information including year, make, model, engine size, manufacturer, manufacturing location, and safety features. Along with providing vehicle specifications, a VIN can also be used to identify past or open recalls, vehicle registration history, altered odometer readings, warranty claims and status, insurance coverage, and theft records.

Why is checking a VIN on a used North Carolina car important?

If you're considering buying a used car, it's important to check the vehicle's VIN to help determine the quality and reliability of a used car. If the advertised VIN number does not match the make and model of an advertised vehicle, it can indicate a potential scam, fraud, or illegal modifications. A standard third-party VIN check may also reveal important vehicle history information, including if it has been officially reported as stolen or if it has a clean title.

The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) works with Insurance companies, law enforcement, and the state of North Carolina DMV or RMV to verify title transfers and new vehicle owners. If you're buying a new or used vehicle the VIN is required to get a license plate number, or to renew your vehicle registration when using a North Carolina DMV or RMV [dot] gov website or visiting a DMV or RMV office in person. If you need to locate it, the VIN is usually found on the driver's side of the dash when looking through the windshield or in the driver's door jamb area (see more details below). It can also be found on your vehicle title, registration card, or proof of insurance.

How do I look up a VIN number to get an iSeeCars VIN Report?

Enter the VIN for a U.S. passenger vehicle on our VIN look up page. You can sign up for a low-cost monthly plan if you want to access the full reports.

Here are different ways you can see our iVIN Reports:

• A desktop computer or the iSeeCars.com mobile website
• iSeeCars free mobile Android and iOS VIN apps - Download our app so you can quickly scan a vehicle's barcode and instantly view an iVIN Report or Summary
• All used car listings on the iSeeCars website - Click the "See More Insights" button to see the report
• Google Chrome extension - Automatically generates a link to our iVIN Report when a VIN is found on any website you're browsing, like Craigslist and car shopping sites

How can I check a North Carolina car's vehicle history?

The iSeeCars reports do show if a vehicle has been in an accident. In addition, separate access can be obtained to see title records and status, vehicle brand history, and if a vehicle has been branded salvage, flood, or junk.

Can I look up my vehicle specs by VIN number?

Yes. iSeeCars iVIN Data Reports include key vehicle specifications, including trim, color, transmission type, drivetrain, engine type, towing capacity and more. These specs also show how the car compares to the average for its vehicle class.

Can I check safety recalls and recall information for a VIN number in North Carolina?

Yes. Each iSeeCars iVIN Data Report includes a recall check that indicates if there are any open or past recalls for the vehicle. The VIN report also links to the NHTSA database, which identifies (a) if there is an open recall for any new or used cars and (b) information about all past recalls for the vehicle, including safety-related recalls such as those involving Takata airbags.

Along with being a safety hazard, unresolved recalls including emissions recalls can result in a failed vehicle inspection. If a vehicle has an open recall, ask the seller to address the recall notice because it will likely involve recall repairs.

Is a VIN always 17 digits?

Beginning in 1981, all vehicles are required to have a 17-digit VIN. Vehicles manufactured before 1981 have VINs that are between 11 and 17 characters.

In 1981, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) standardized how VINs are formatted. Under the NHTSA standard, a VIN is composed of 17 characters consisting of numbers and letters, and each set of numbers has a specific meaning. A VIN never includes the letters I, O and Q to avoid being mistaken for 1 and 0 (zero).

Can VIN numbers be changed?

It's a federal crime to alter, remove or tamper with a vehicle's VIN number.

How can I check a vehicle from North Carolina for past thefts?

The iSeeCars VIN reports show previous theft records if there are any from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) which is a non-profit agency that tracks thefts.

Does North Carolina have a VIN check system?

Every state has a Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) website offering a range of vehicle-related services. These can include online registration renewal, personalized plate applications, and requests for title and registration history. You should know that dozens of businesses have created websites attempting to mimic the official North Carolina DMV or RMV site. To be certain you're visiting the actual North Carolina state-operated DMV or RMV site, look for a ".gov" in the URL.

If you're having trouble checking a North Carolina VIN at the North Carolina DMV or RMV site you can also visit the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) site. States work with the NMVTIS to track title transfers across state lines. This reduces vehicle theft and fraud while improving the rate of stolen vehicle recovery and the ability to track vehicle titles with a theft, salvage or flood history.

Does North Carolina offer a tool to look up state inspection history?

While some states provide a tool to look up vehicle inspection records and see how often a vehicle has passed state inspection or emissions tests, North Carolina does not. Typically, a vehicle history report from CARFAX or Autocheck should show a vehicle's state emissions inspection results.

Does North Carolina provide a title / lien status check?

North Carolina does not currently offer a way to check if there is a lien on the title, which means the title is being held as a collateral on a loan. Lien / title information can typically be found on a Carfax or Autocheck vehicle history report.