Before purchasing a used car in Tennessee, conducting a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) check is advisable to gain insights into the vehicle's history. A VIN check provides essential information, including accident history, maintenance records, and details about previous ownership, enabling buyers to make well-informed decisions about buying a car.
Nicknamed the 'Volunteer State,' Tennessee is renowned for its amazing landscape and rolling hills. The state is also home to three of the biggest car manufacturers, including General Motors, Nissan, and Toyota. It has an abundance of new and used cars, including crossovers, sedans, SUVs, sports cars, and pickup trucks, among others, readily available for its residents.
Tennessee residents can perform a VIN check before purchasing a used vehicle in various ways. One method is to check the VIN through the state's Motor Vehicle Data Services online platform. People can also utilize the NHTSA and NMVTIS websites to search for car information and history by inputting their VIN or license plate number. Similarly, a potential buyer can use third-party web services, like Infotracer, to access vehicle information by entering the vehicle's identification number.
The VIN verification process involves a physical vehicle inspection to ensure that the VIN matches the one on record and checking for any indications of tampering or unauthorized modifications.
VIN verification is necessary for various transactions, mainly when dealing with vehicle registration and titling from out-of-state. Additionally, VIN verification may be required in salvaged or reconstructed vehicles.
In Tennessee, VIN verification is required for vehicles with salvage titles before registering and obtaining the title. It also applies to most types of trailers. Law enforcement officers in the state complete the VIN verification form after the inspection.
Tennessee has a significantly high car ownership rate, with 94.5% of households reporting access to at least one vehicle. The average number of vehicles per household is 2.2.
The average Tennessee driver has an annual average mileage of 15,287, which is significantly high compared to other states.
The best-selling car in Tennessee is the Ford F-150. Other cars that sold well in that year within the state include the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Ram 1500, and Nissan Altima.
In 2022, Tennessee recorded 1,314 fatalities from traffic crashes, resulting in a 1.58 mortality rate.
In 2022, speeding led to 7,106 traffic crashes in Tennessee.
In 2022, alcohol-impaired driving resulted in 6,076 traffic crashes in the state.
Between 2010 and 2023, 561 drivers under 15 were involved in traffic crashes.
Tennessee State Government Driver Services is responsible for motor vehicle-related services in the state. The department oversees the vehicle services such as:
For federal law compliance and environmental quality resources for drivers and vehicle owners in Tennessee, individuals can refer to the following agencies and resources:
Buying a used car in Tennessee involves several essential steps for legal purposes. These steps also ensure a fair and defective-free purchase. Consider the following:
Lemon Laws in Tennessee only cover vehicles that were purchased new. Therefore, there is no protection for used car buyers. Individuals must be cautious when purchasing used vehicles, especially from private sellers.
Individuals must register the vehicle, get new license plates, and get a title for the vehicle after purchasing. Individuals have 30 days to register a carcoming from outside the state. They must present the required documents, pay taxes or fees, and pass any requested inspections.
Because the state Lemon Law does not protect used cars, individuals should conduct a thorough VIN check to ensure the car is ready for purchase and has no issues.
In Tennessee, used car buyers must pay a 7% statewide sales tax for used car purchases. In addition, they should pay local sales taxes if applicable.
Performing a VIN check in Tennessee is crucial for several reasons, including the following:
Tennessee residents have a few options for looking up VINs to learn about a vehicle's history. They include:
The Tennessee Department of Revenue website has an online VIN check service that allows people to look up a vehicle's information. However, to access the state's Motor Vehicle Data Service, a person must be authorized by the Federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 2000 (DPPA) or have a subscription to the government site.
People can also use the NHTSA website to search a vehicle's VIN and get its information. One way is to use the NHTSA Recall Check, which provides information about a vehicle's safety features, including whether the vehicle model was recalled and whether the car was flooded, damaged, or salvaged. Additionally, the website has a VIN Decoder option, which allows residents to verify a car's identification number and check if it matches its title.
The NMVTIS database contains information about all cars in Tennessee, so people can also use it to look up a VIN when they want to buy a vehicle.
InfoTracer is another database containing public records, including car information. The website portal allows Tennessee residents to request information on their car history by entering their VIN.
Tennessee offers a VIN replacement and Tennessee-issued vehicle identification numbers (TNVIN) in case the vin plate is damaged or the part of the car housing the plate gets replaced. The county clerk's office issues VIN replacements and TNVINs. It is important to note that VINs are only replaced when:
However, if a vehicle inspector suspects that the vehicle's VIN was altered or modified, the car owner will face penalties.
To get a TNVIN, a person requires the following:
Tennessee compels people to register their new cars within 30 days of purchasing them. The local county clerk's office is responsible for registering new vehicles in the state.
When registering a vehicle, a resident needs to provide:
In Tennessee, the law requires individuals to transfer vehicle titles within 30 days of acquisition. During the transfer, the local county clerk's office will transfer the vehicle's information and ownership to the buyer, including the VIN. To transfer a vehicle's title in the state, one must have the following:
This report typically includes details about title and ownership history, any reported accidents or damage, odometer readings, lemon law and recall information, and sometimes even maintenance records. The goal is to offer transparency and help consumers make informed decisions about purchasing or owning a vehicle.
Individuals may use third-party license plate lookup services, which provide the vehicle's details after the search. The information it reveals includes the VIN.
Tennessee has mandatory vehicle inspection requirements, but only in some counties. Residents of Hamilton, Davidson, Sumner, Wilson, and Williamson counties must take their vehicles for annual emissions inspections before registration. Heavy-duty vehicles, motorcycles, and vehicles made before 1975 are exempt from the inspection.
In Tennessee, a vehicle inspection report typically covers critical elements such as the braking system, lights, tires, steering and suspension, exhaust system, and other safety features. Additionally, the emissions portion of the inspection evaluates the vehicle's compliance with environmental standards by examining its exhaust emissions. The inspection report ensures that vehicles on Tennessee roads meet the necessary safety and emissions criteria.