WHAT IS A VIN VERIFICATION?

The VIN verification is a physical inspection and consists of verifying that the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on your vehicle matches the one on the documents being used to register your vehicle with the California DMV, and that the vehicle has a U.S. Federal Certification Label that matches the VIN.  We also verify whether the emissions label on the vehicle complies with California emission standards.  This last part is important if you are a resident of the state of California and you are purchasing a vehicle from out of state and it has less than 7,500 miles. Click here for more information about registering a vehicle from out of state with the California DMV.

The VIN verification also confirms whether the VIN plates or labels are in normal condition.  If your vehicle is an older model (pre 1983), or it is a commercial vehicle, trailer, travel trailer, boat or motorcycle, make sure the VIN plate or label can be located, and you have verified that the VIN on the vehicle matches your documents. Sometimes the VIN is hard to find, and can be located in different places depending on the year, make and model of the vehicle.  We only verify the numbers/labels are correct, but you have to show us the location of these numbers/labels.  We have a general idea of where they are, but we cannot guarantee that your specific vehicle has them where they are usually located.  

If your vehicle is a motorcycle or scooter, we also verify that the engine number matches the one on your ownership documents.  You should locate the engine number and check that it matches your ownership documents prior to having the motorcycle verified by a licensed vehicle verifier as sometimes it is hidden from view, and parts might have to be taken off to have access to it.