Iowa residents will benefit from a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) lookup before buying used cars. The VIN lookup is a protection tool that helps buyers learn more about a car before purchasing.
Suppose the car has a record of accidents, poor maintenance, extensive repairs, reports of theft or fraudulent activity, and other issues. In this case, the buyer will learn about it and help them make an informed decision before it's too late.
Iowa is one of the best states to own and drive a car. It's not a secret that the state's residents love cars. The demand for cars is so high that one out of five Iowans owns a vehicle. That has also led to more people buying new and used vehicles in the state.
However, before purchasing a car, individuals should always perform a VIN check to ensure the car is in good condition. A person can look up a car's VIN in Iowa in several ways. The first is to request information from the state's Department of Transportation. Additionally, people can use the NHTSA portal or third-party online providers that offer VIN lookup services, like Infotracer.
VIN verification is a process used to confirm that the VIN on a vehicle matches the one on records associated with that specific vehicle. Iowa government agencies may require car owners in the state to conduct VIN verification in various circumstances, including:
Only Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) inspectors and peace officers certified with the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy may conduct VIN verification.
Iowa has the highest number of motor vehicle registrations in the US. In 2021, the state had 1,619.97 registered cars per 10,000 licensed drivers. Out of every three households in the state, one home owns a car.
Iowa is primarily a rural state, meaning it has more miles to drive. Iowa is one of the states with the most registered vehicles, and residents drive an average of 15,074 miles annually.
Iowa residents love Chevrolet Cars, which is why the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is the most popular vehicle in the state. The Ford F-150 is a close second. Other popular cars in the state are the Chevrolet Equinox, the Ram 1500, and the Ford Escape.
In 2022, 53,644 car crashes occurred in the state, resulting in 14,668 injuries.
In 2023, the state recorded 377 deaths as a result of car collisions. This was an 11.9% increase from 2022, which had 337 fatalities.
In 2021, 84 people died in speed-related car crashes in Iowa. This was a 25% increase in speed-related fatalities from 2020.
Alcohol is the third-highest contributing factor for fatal traffic crashes in Iowa. In 2022, 40 deaths, or about 30% of traffic fatalities, resulted from alcohol-related accidents in Iowa.
Between 2018 and 2023, more than 28,000 Iowa teens were involved in traffic collisions. Cars involved in collisions have a higher chance of injury or fatalities if the teen driver caused the accident.
The Iowa Department of Transportation provides services to the residents that ensure legal car ownership and driving. Some of the services car owners can access from the DOT include:
Iowa car drivers and owners can access federal law compliance and environmental quality resources. They include:
Purchasing a used car in Iowa can be risky without the right procedures. The laws require buyers to follow specific processes during and after the purchase. Some of the key aspects of consideration are:
Lemon Laws in Iowa protect car buyers in the state. The law does not distinguish between new and used cars. However, the vehicle must be under three years old, weigh less than 15,000 pounds, and have less than 24,000 miles on it. In addition, car buyers must report the defect within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles of the vehicle's life.
Car buyers have 30 days to register and title the car after purchasing. In addition, the seller must remove their license plates before giving the owner the vehicle. They may put the plates onto another car if bought in 30 days. If not, they must surrender the plates to the county treasurer. Buyers must receive the following information from the seller:
Car buyers should run a VIN check on their vehicle of interest. It will provide the car's history, letting buyers know what they are getting into.
All car sales in Iowa are subject to a 1% sales tax for county and local rates and a 5% sales tax at the state level. The total is 6%.
Car buyers in Iowa should conduct a VIN check for the following reasons:
In Iowa, people can look up a VIN and get information about a car in multiple ways. They include:
Residents in Iowa can request information on a car at the state's Department of Transportation. To do this, they must complete the Privacy Act Agreement For Request of Motor Vehicle Records form and provide it to the department. Additionally, a person must provide a copy of their ID or driving license and pay a VIN check fee.
Potential buyers can also use the NHTSA portal to look up VIN information. The site has a collection of all car data in the country. People can use the portal to check a car's damage, recall, salvage status, and other manufacturer information.
Lastly, a person can use the InfoTracer website to find a vehicle's history using its VIN. InfoTracer is a database with copies of most public records, including car information. A person can also use a car's license plate to look up its information.
The state of Iowa provides assigned identification numbers for vehicles if a person requires to replace their VIN. Car owners can get a replacement at their nearest County Treasurer's office. However, when satisfied with the car's true identity and ownership, the individual will only be issued the assigned number.
For a car to get a replacement identification, the car must be registered and have a title under the VIN. A person can only get an assigned identification number for their car if:
The vehicle will need to be inspected by a motor vehicle investigator before applying for an assigned identification number.
Vehicle registration is basically proof of ownership of the car. In Iowa, a person must title and register their car at the nearest county treasurer's office within 30 days of getting it or establishing residence in the state.
To register a new vehicle, a person should have the following documents as they visit the county treasurer's office:
If a person moves to another county within the state, they must report their change of address to their former county treasurer within ten days after the move. This ensures that the office forwards the vehicle information to the new county office.
After buying a car in Iowa, the state requires individuals to get a title transfer within 30 days of the purchase. The County Treasurer is mandated to transfer titles, including VINs, in the state.
If a buyer wants to transfer titles, they should:
It is important to note that the seller should remove and keep the license plate of the car after the transaction.
Like most states, a vehicle history report in Iowa provides a thorough overview of the vehicle's past. Therefore, it will include the VIN, odometer readings, accident history, lien information, registration information, and maintenance records.
You can use free or paid third-party providers offering license plate lookup, which provides the car's VIN and vehicle history.
Iowa does not require car owners to go through emissions or safety inspections as part of car ownership. Instead, the DOT encourages drivers to care for their vehicles and seek maintenance when necessary.
In Iowa, a vehicle inspection report encompasses a comprehensive examination of a vehicle's condition to ensure safety and compliance with environmental standards. Therefore, the report will provide results for features such as lights, brakes, tires, steering, and emissions systems. In addition, the report may address compliance with state-specific regulations related to emissions and safety.