Mississippi VIN Lookup

In Mississippi, lemon laws do not cover used cars. Although buying a used car is commonly considered a great way to save money, it is still a considerable purchase that comes with some risks. As such, buyers must do due diligence before signing the dotted lines, to avoid being scammed by dishonest dealers. Be aware that lemon laws in Mississippi cover leased vehicles acquired through a lease-purchase agreement. Even though Mississippi has over 213 used car dealers and an average price of $34,130, interested persons need to be vigilant to ensure they are getting a good deal and a reliable car.

Consequently, VIN lookup is an excellent way to conduct due diligence, as it usually reveals vital information, including accident reports of the car, inspection records, existing liens, recalls, and other information relating to the vehicle's general condition.

Why is a VIN Check important in Mississippi?

A VIN is a unique 17 alphanumeric code that serves as an identifier for vehicles and provides access to information such as the vehicle’s history, features, and status. With over 189 cases of car theft and auto-related fraud per 100,000 residents in Mississippi, when buying a pre-owned vehicle, interested parties must conduct a thorough checkup to avoid financial loss. As such, prospective buyers conducting a Mississippi VIN check can acquire information such as:

• Vehicle Title and Registration: Per provisions of the Motor Vehicle Title Act, vehicles operating in Mississippi must be properly titled and registered with the Mississippi Department of Revenue. In addition, there is an exemption to the requirement of vehicle titling in Mississippi. Nonetheless, operating a motor vehicle that is not registered is considered a misdemeanor and may result in a fine of $500 or imprisonment of not more than 6 months or by both fine and imprisonment. Therefore, conducting a VIN check can help to verify the car’s title and registration status, as well as the seller’s legal right to do so.
• Odometer Verification: After a vehicle has been properly titled and registered, checking the official odometer reading through VIN check is crucial. This protects you from being conned by fraudulent sellers and guarantees a fair price. Be aware that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that over 450,000 vehicles are sold yearly with falsified odometer readings, leading to a financial loss of over $1 billion.
• Title Brands: Mississippi requires title brands for vehicles, including salvaged vehicles, operating in the state. As such, conducting VIN checks on title brands is crucial as it reveals information about the legal owner of the vehicles, history, condition, and potential threats.
• Theft Checks: Mississippi has a car theft rate of 189.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This highlights the necessity of preventing car thefts and raising awareness. To this end, VIN lookup reveals whether the car has been reported stolen, ensuring that you avoid legal and financial loss associated with purchased stolen vehicles.
• Auto-Fraud Prevention: Mississippi has an auto-fraud-related rate of 26.4 per 100,000 residents, which makes it a concern that prospective buyers must look out for. Therefore, VIN checks can help you spot differences like rolled-out odometer readings and salvaged or forged titles and ensure that you are not dealing with dishonest dealers.

How To Perform a Mississippi VIN Check

The following state and federal agencies provide access to interested parties that wish to conduct VIN checks in Mississippi:

The Mississippi Department of Revenue (DOR):

The Mississippi Department of Revenue (DOR) oversees motor titling and registration. The DOR offers an online platform for verifying vehicle details. To perform a VIN check, prospective buyers can input the VIN, title number, or tag number. Interested parties must create an online profile and pay a $95 annual fee to access this service.

The NHTSA VIN Decoder:

The NHTSA VIN Decoder provides details about a vehicle’s make, manufacturing plant, model year, safety features, engine, and transmission specifications. VIN checks can be performed using a full or partial VIN.

The NICB VINCheck:

The NICB VINCheck allows prospective buyers to confirm if a vehicle has been reported as stolen or salvaged. A full VIN is required, and users are limited to five searches per day.

Free vs. Paid VIN Check Services in Mississippi

Although several government agencies and some nonprofit organizations offer free VIN checks, prospective buyers who wish to run a thorough checkup on used cars may use a third-party website to access such detailed information. As such, platforms like GoodCar, iSeeCars, CarFax, Carmart, and AutoCheck are among the top choices for running VIN checks in Mississippi. For a fair fee, you can access detailed vehicle history reports through these platforms, which include:

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

What Used Car Scams Are Common in Mississippi?

From fraudulent dealers using deceptive techniques to bogus online vehicle ads, buyers in the Magnolia State are at risk of falling prey when trying to acquire pre-owned cars. Recently, a Louisiana man pleaded guilty to copying stolen VINs to purchase expensive vehicles in the Jackson metro area. Some of the most common used car-related scams in Mississippi include:

Title Washing:

Removing a vehicle's title brand to hide its salvaged or damaged status, making it appear clean.

Curbstoning:

Unlicensed dealers posing as private sellers to avoid regulations and sell cars for profit.

VIN Cloning:

Copying the VIN from a legally registered car and applying it to a salvaged or stolen vehicle to hide its true identity.

Odometer Rollbacks:

Resetting a vehicle's odometer reading to make it appear less driven, increasing its market value.

Fake Vehicle Histories:

Providing fraudulent reports about a vehicle to hide issues like accident damage, salvage titles, and odometer rollbacks, making it appear more well-maintained and valuable than it actually is.

Be aware that these scams are common in the used-car industry, as such, interested parties may be conned by fraudulent dealers leading to huge financial loss and legal implications. To this end, you should consider making the following decisions before purchasing a pre-owned vehicle in Mississippi:

• If a deal seems too good to be true, proceed with caution.
• Ask for and carefully review all necessary documents before making a purchase.
• Make sure you get a written warranty to protect yourself.
• Verify what kind of vehicle you want, its expected price, and any unique features to look out for.
• Use reputable third-party websites like GoodCar to conduct a thorough VIN check on the vehicle before signing the dotted line.

How Do I Check the Status of My Vehicle’s Title in Mississippi?

The Mississippi Department of Revenue (DOR) provides residents and non-residents with access to the status of state-issued title certificates and title lienholder information via an online platform. Conducting VIN checks is essential to ensure there are no issues like unresolved liens or incorrect ownership details, which could affect your ability to use, sell, or transfer the vehicle.

To check your vehicle's title status and lienholder information in Mississippi, you’ll need to provide details such as the full VIN, vehicle information, and license tag number. Please note that this service is typically provided for a fee of $9.00 per request.

How To Register a Brand New Car in Mississippi

It is essential to title and register a purchased car with the Mississippi Department of Revenue (DOR) within 30 days of purchase. To do this, interested parties will need to take the following steps:

• Obtain and complete an Application for Mississippi Title and License Form, which is obtainable at your local tax collector's office.
• Provide proof of insurance, as Mississippi State law mandates that all drivers maintain liability insurance with coverage limits.
• Provide bill of sales, previous owner's certificate of title or dealer reassignment form, odometer disclosure statement, valid ID, VIN, and payments of applicable fees and taxes.

With over 2,980,000 vehicles operating in Mississippi, the cost of titling and registering a vehicle with the DOR varies based on factors like the type of vehicle, its purchase price, and the type of license plates you choose. Additional fees may apply, and the process typically takes about 3 to 4 weeks to complete.

Does Mississippi Mandate Vehicle Inspection?

Although Mississippi does not require regular vehicle inspections, drivers and vehicle owners are still responsible for keeping their cars in a safe and operable condition. However, inspections are required for rebuilt or salvaged vehicles and certain commercial vehicles.

Additionally, VIN and odometer verifications play a crucial role in inspections to ensure that a vehicle’s details match state records and have not been altered to bypass regulations.

How Do I Get a Replacement VIN in Mississippi?

In Mississippi, a replacement VIN (assigned VIN) is issued by the Mississippi Department of Revenue (DOR). These assigned VINs are typically issued to vehicles that have missing, stolen, altered, or destroyed VINs. The assigned VIN contains 17 alphanumeric digits, just like the original one.

You can obtain a Mississippi-assigned VIN for your vehicle by following these steps:

• Complete an Application for an Assigned Mississippi Vehicle Identification Number for most vehicles or an Application for a Mississippi Assigned Vehicle Identification Number for Homemade Trailer for homemade trailers.
• Submit the completed form to the Mississippi Department of Revenue's Motor Vehicle Services at 500 Clinton Center Drive, Clinton.
• At the scheduled inspection, bring supporting documents such as proof of ownership, proof of insurance, and the bill of sale.
• Once the vehicle is assigned a VIN, take the completed form—Application for Mississippi Title and License form—to your County Tax Collector's office to apply for a certificate of title.

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

Mississippi does not require VIN inspections for out-of-state vehicles before they can be titled and registered. However, if the vehicle was purchased in a state that does not issue titles, you must provide proper bills of sale and the most recent out-of-state tag receipt to complete the registration process.

Likewise, ensure that the vehicle's VIN matches the provided documentation and that it complies with all relevant regulatory standards.