Indiana alone has more than 750 used car dealerships—about 11 dealers per 100,000 residents—an indication that residents buy a lot of used cars. However, before you roll off a vehicle from a dealer's shop, it is important to crosscheck the VIN to ensure the car is a good buy. A VIN lookup provides information about the vehicle's history, maintenance, repairs, and damage, which is crucial in helping buyers purchase a vehicle.
Indiana has one of the best road infrastructures in the US. The state's landscape is suited for different cars, from high-performance vehicles for the city streets to trucks and SUVs for traveling to the rural countryside. However, the most common cars used in the state are SUVs due to their versatility and reliability in handling different terrains.
Before buying a used SUV or any other car in Indiana, residents should always conduct a VIN check to verify the vehicle's history and condition. To do so, they can use the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles website, the NHTSA portal, or free and paid online services that provide identification checks.
VIN verification is conducted by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). Car owners may take their vehicles to any BMV branch for verification. Alternatively, they may apply for verification at their location, where a law enforcement officer will inspect them. There is no charge for this service.
Like most states, Indiana requires all vehicles to undergo VIN verification to ensure their legitimacy. The estate law requires car owners to register and title all out-of-state vehicles within 60 days of becoming Indiana residents. Title and verification require a VIN inspection and verification. In addition, new vehicles must be titled in 45 days, but they do not have to undergo VIN verification.
Those who require law enforcement officers to come to their locations must obtain the right inspection form from the BMV for validity.
Indiana is among the states where it is the least expensive to own a car. The state has 93.7% of households with at least one vehicle. It translates to an average of 2.4 vehicles per household.
Indiana is among the states with the highest average miles driven per year. The annual mileage per driver in the state is 18,024.
The most common car in Indiana is the Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Indiana has many rural areas, so the residents need a vehicle with impressive towing and hauling capabilities.
The BMV reported over 206,923 traffic crashes in 2022, noting an increase since the previous year. Authorities reported a total of 964 fatalities in 2022.
In 2022, speed-related collisions in Indiana were 18,098.
Alcohol-impaired driving caused a total of 72 deaths in 2022.
The overall number of young drivers (ages 15 to 20) involved in collisions in 2022 was 39,030 in the state.
The BMV handles all processes for motor vehicle ownership and driving. Some of its key services include:
There are several agencies and resources available for drivers in Indiana. They guide federal law compliance and environmental quality requirements. These resources include:
There are certain rules and regulations that Indiana used car buyers must follow when and after purchase. Key considerations include:
Indiana has Lemon Laws to protect consumers who purchase vehicles with serious defects. Lemon laws in the state are among the few that do not distinguish between new and used cars. Buyers must report the vehicle defects within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles of the vehicle (whichever comes first).
Just because the Lemon Law protects used car buyers does not mean individuals should avoid conducting a VIN check. The VIN check will provide information about the car's history. Buyers can, therefore, check the type of damage the vehicle sustained. In addition, it will show what kind of maintenance will be needed after purchase.
When a buyer purchases a used car, they have 30 days to register it, get new plates, or transfer them to the car. The state requires buyers to go to the BMV, and they should provide a Bill of Sale, proof of auto insurance, and a social security card. Individuals who do not have a Social Security card may take a letter of ineligibility.
Buyers who purchase vehicles out of state must undergo a vehicle inspection to register them in Indiana. The BMV will require buyers to provide proof of residence and insurance for the inspection.
Indiana has a 7% statewide sales tax for all car purchases, whether new or used.
Car buyers may conduct VIN checks in Indiana for the following reasons:
Potential vehicle buyers in Indiana can use one of these ways to look up a car's VIN:
A person can use Indiana's BMV to look up VIN information. The BMV has a huge car record of cars in the state.
Additionally, Indiana residents can use the NHTSA website to get information, such as car recalls and history reports, using their VIN.
Lastly, InfoTracer is a database that stores vehicle information about vehicles throughout the United States. Using the VIN, a person can get a detailed history of a car's damage report, last odometer readings during the inspection, and ownership status, i.e., if the car was stolen.
In Indiana, the law requires any car without a VIN or if the VIN has been altered or defaced to apply for a special identification number (MVIN). The state's BMV provides the MVIN.
When applying for a special identification number for their car, a person should have the following:
Once the BMV determines that there is sufficient evidence to claim car ownership, it will issue the MVIN.
After buying a new car in Indiana, the state requires the car to be registered within 45 days after the purchase. Additionally, a person is required to register all their vehicles within 60 days after becoming a resident in the state.
The easiest way to register a new car is to use the myBVM online registration portal. Furthermore, people can find their nearest Connect Kiosk location or BVM branch location
When registering a new car in the state, the car must first be titled. A person should have the following:
Residents of Porter and Lake counties will need to pass an emissions test before getting their cars registered.
Once a person buys a car in Indiana, they are required to apply for a certificate of title within 45 days after the purchase. A title transfer means that car ownership is transferred, including VIN information.
To transfer a car title, a person should provide:
A person should carry these documents to the nearest BMV to transfer the car's title. It is important to note that the seller of the car must remove the license plate at the time of the transaction.
Individuals who request vehicle history reports for cars in Indiana will find details about their history. The report will show the VIN, title information, odometer readings, title brands, vehicle use, accident history, recall information, and maintenance/ inspection records.
A license plate lookup can reveal a lot of information about a vehicle, including the VIN. Individuals can use free and paid online services to look up a car's license plate and find the VIN.
Vehicles in Lake and Porter counties should undergo emissions tests and tampering inspections every 2 years. It applies to vehicles manufactured after 1975 with a GVWR of 9,000 pounds and less. Car owners can find the GVWR on the door jamb on the driver's side.
There are several things that an inspector checks in the vehicle. A typical report in Indiana details the vehicle, determining if it is roadworthy. Common elements that appear in an inspection report include: