Oregon VIN Lookup

With only about 325 used-car dealers in Oregon and an average cost of a used car around $35,5000, competition among dealerships is high. Buyers may face limited inventory and higher prices due to demand. Often, Oregon buyers turn to private sellers when looking for a used car, putting them in a precarious situation where a significant investment now comes with an even more substantial risk.

Although Oregon, like many states, has a lemon law that protects new and used passenger vehicles purchased or leased in Oregon from major defects. However, the law only applies in certain situations, such as those under warranty. That’s why all used car buyers in Oregon must protect themselves by conducting a thorough vehicle history check on any used car they consider purchasing with a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) lookup, even when buying from a licensed used car dealer.

A VIN is a unique 17-character identifier assigned to every vehicle. VIN checks can reveal important information about a vehicle’s history, including accident reports, maintenance and inspection records, recall and safety information, and title brands or liens. Access to this critical information gives Oregon used car buyers confidence that their purchase decisions are safe and good.

Why Performing an Oregon VIN Check Is Important

A VIN lookup is an essential step in buying a used car. By performing a VIN check ahead of time, you can protect yourself from potential legal and financial complications. Some of the vital information you can obtain through an Oregon VIN check includes:

• Registration and Title Verification: Oregon law requires that all vehicles be registered and have their title verified through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 30 days of the vehicle’s purchase or bringing the car into the state. Failing to register your vehicle in Oregon is considered a Class D traffic violation, punishable by fines. An Oregon VIN check is a good way to confirm a car’s registration status and title information, and the person selling the used car has a right to do so.
• Mileage Verification: It is estimated that 450,000 vehicles with falsified odometer readings are sold annually in the United States. A VIN lookup is essential because it can confirm a car’s odometer reading, helping used car buyers avoid scams and ensure they pay a fair market price for their used car.
• Title Brandings: In Oregon, a “branded” title indicates a vehicle's history, condition, or circumstances. Common Oregon title brands include “lemon law buybacks,” “totaled,” and “reconstructed.” VIN checks are critical in determining if a car’s title has been branded.
• Theft Checks: Car theft occurs 413 times per 100,000 residents in Oregon. VIN checks can reveal if a car has ever been reported stolen, helping to ensure that you are not taking the legal and financial risk that comes from purchasing a stolen vehicle.
• Auto Fraud Prevention: Auto-related fraud makes up three percent of all fraud cases in Oregon, which means that used car buyers face a significant risk of being scammed. VIN checks can help used car buyers spot odometer tampering, title washing, and other issues.

How To Perform an Oregon VIN Check

Although car owners can pay $9 for a physical VIN inspection through the Oregon DMV, verifying the VIN on their vehicle matches their title or ownership documents, there is no state-sponsored way to perform an Oregon VIN check. However, there are other VIN check resources, including:

The NHTSA VIN Decoder:

The NHTSA VIN Decoder provides general information such as the vehicle’s manufacturer, plant location, model year, engine and transmission information, safety features and ratings, and any recalls. The NHTSA VIN Decoder can perform a VIN lookup based on a full or partial VIN.

The NICB VINCheck:

The NICB VINCheck service allows you to find out if a car has been reported as stolen or salvaged. To use this service, interested parties must have the vehicle’s full VIN, and searches are limited to five per day.

Free vs. Paid VIN Check Services in Oregon

Although VIN checks through government agencies and nonprofits are generally free, you may need a paid third-party service provider to get the comprehensive vehicle information needed to make an informed buying decision. Popular third-party platforms like AutoCheck, GoodCar, and CarFax are popular choices for VIN lookups in Oregon. For a nominal fee, these websites give you access to detailed vehicle history reports that include:

• Title details, including title brands
• Ownership and sales history
• Vehicle specifications
• Odometer and mileage verification
• Accident history
• Rebuild records
• Inspection records
• Service and maintenance records
• Safety defects and recalls
• NHTSA crash test ratings

What Used Car Scams Are Common in Oregon?

Recently, the Oregon DMV issued an alert warning residents of a scam targeting the used car market. According to reports, scammers in the state have been re-selling stolen vehicles with falsified documents in clear cases of VIN cloning. VIN cloning occurs when one vehicle’s VIN is copied and used on another car to mask its identity, usually to hide the fact that it has been stolen or salvaged. This highlights the serious issue that VIN scams have become for used car buyers in Oregon.

Some of the other common scams faced by used car buyers in Oregon include:

Curbstoning:

When an individual illegally sells used cars without a dealer’s license, usually while posing as a private seller, to avoid Oregon regulations, fees, and licensing requirements, they are called curbstoners.

Title Washing:

This deceptive practice involves illegally removing a vehicle’s negative history, such as flood damage or salvage status, from its title.

Odometer Rollbacks:

Scammers often tamper with a car’s odometer to make it appear “less used,” increasing its market value.

Falsifying Vehicle Histories:

Some scammers will create fake accident reports or false maintenance records to make a car appear more well-maintained and valuable than it is.

Sadly, these scams are prevalent in Oregon’s used car market, resulting in significant losses for unsuspecting buyers. That’s why it is critical for used car buyers to remain vigilant when purchasing a vehicle. Here are some of the steps you can take to avoid being taken advantage of:

1. Make a clear decision about what type of vehicle you want to purchase, factoring in estimated costs and desirable features.
2. Be wary of used car deals that seem almost too good to be real.
3. Request and review all the relevant documentation for the car.
4. Insist on a written warranty.
5. Use reliable websites like GoodCar to conduct a thorough VIN check before finalizing your vehicle purchase.

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

The Oregon DMV offers the DMV2U online service center, which allows motor vehicle owners to access their vehicle records online, including title and registration. This service is helpful for car owners who are unsure of their vehicle’s status or want to verify the accuracy of lienholder information. You can also visit an Oregon DMV office in person to access this information. Vehicle owners must have their vehicle's VIN to check the title status. While this service is typically free, there may be fees for obtaining official copies of documents related to your vehicle’s title and registration.

How To Register a Brand-New Car in Oregon

In Oregon, when you purchase your vehicle from a licensed dealer, they will often handle most of the registration process. However, not all dealers provide registration services. In that situation, and when buying from a private individual, you can register the vehicle at any Oregon DMV branch location to complete your transaction.

The fees associated with registering a brand-new car in Oregon can range from $268.50 to $636.50, depending on the vehicle's type, weight, and fuel economy. New car buyers can also expect to pay $100 to $200 in titling fees and up to $30 in license plate fees.

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

More than 4 million vehicles are registered in Oregon and generally undergo a similar registration process through the DMV. Here are the documents that are usually needed to register a new car in Oregon:

• Completed Application for Title and Registration (OR Form 735-226)
• Original title or ownership document.
• Original releases or bills of sale from any previous owners.
• Proof that the vehicle has passed a safety inspection.
• Odometer disclosure.

In certain instances, you might also need the following:

• A Use Tax Certificate from the Oregon Department of Revenue if purchased from an out-of-state dealer.
• A VIN inspection (if you have an out-of-state or out-of-country title).
• Certificate of Compliance for passing the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) emissions test (if applicable).

In Oregon, vehicle registration is typically renewed every two years. The registration period begins on the day you register the vehicle and ends on the same day two years later. Oregon car owners can renew their registration online or in person at any DMV branch.

Does Oregon Mandate Vehicle Inspections?

Oregon does not require vehicles registered in the state to pass safety inspections. However, certain cars registered in the Portland and Medford metro areas must pass an emissions test before they are first registered, or their existing registration can be renewed.

In addition to certain mandates on emissions testing, Oregon mandates VIN inspections on out-of-state or out-of-country titled vehicles and certain vehicles requiring a branded title, such as vehicles being titled for the first time as totaled and assembled, reconstructed or replica, and salvage-titled. This VIN check verifies the car's identity by ensuring that its VIN matches its registration documents.

How Do I Get a Replacement VIN in Oregon?

Although you cannot get a replacement VIN in Oregon, you can correct the VIN on a vehicle's title by submitting an Oregon Application for Title and Registration (Form 735-226).

Does Oregon Require a VIN Inspection for an Out-of-State Vehicle?

The Oregon DMV requires a VIN inspection for out-of-state vehicles registered for the first time in the state. VIN inspections verify the car's identity and ensure all its documentation is correct and in order. The cost of an Oregon VIN inspection is $9.