If you’re buying a used car, here’s a free way to find out the facts before you buy! The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles provides a free title search. The link is http://www.txdmv.gov/protection/buying_vehicle/title_check.htm and all you need to provide is the Vehicle Identification Number or VIN.
This is a free service that enables you to find out a number of things about the “previously owned beauty” you’re thinking about buying including,
- Was the car previously titled as salvage
- Is it a manufacturing buy back
- Was it damaged in a flood
- Does it have a clean & clear title
The only limitation on the Texas DMV search is the car has to have been previously titled in Texas. Not in Texas? Check out CarFax at www.carfax.com. Another source is the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System that’s available at http://www.vehiclehistory.gov/. There is a charge for the NMVTI and CarFax reports, or see if the dealer will provide you a copy!
A little bit of knowledge can go a long way to securing you a dream car and avoiding a nightmare. What sources have you used to evaluate your options? Share them in the comments section or on our Facebook page!
