If you’ve ever wondered how to unearth the registered owner of a vehicle using nothing but its VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), you’ve come to the right place.
The VIN, that seemingly cryptic 17-character code unique to each vehicle, holds the key to unlocking its past and revealing the identity of its owner.
In this article, we’ll demystify how to find vehicle owner by VIN, offering you practical insights and methods to navigate this quest.
Whether you’re exploring the history of a used car or require contact details for legitimate purposes, we’ll guide you through this process with clarity and precision.
How to Find Vehicle Owner by VIN
1. Use A Premium Specialized Tool – BeenVerified
Are you eager to uncover the mysteries of a vehicle’s ownership history?
Look no further than BeenVerified, your go-to VIN lookup tool that simplifies finding a vehicle owner’s details.
BeenVerified is a trusted and powerful resource for anyone seeking comprehensive information about a car’s past.
Why Choose BeenVerified?
BeenVerified is the top choice for VIN lookups for several compelling reasons.
First and foremost, it provides a seamless user experience, offering access to a vast database that covers over 150 million vehicles.
This database is continually updated with data approved by the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS), ensuring the most accurate and up-to-date information.
But that’s not all – when you use BeenVerified, you’ll gain access to a detailed vehicle report that can include owner details, accident records, theft records, salvage records, recalls and warranties, vehicle specifications, market value, sale listing history, and even the odometer reading.
It’s a one-stop shop for all your vehicle information needs.
How to Use BeenVerified for a Vehicle Owner Search
Using BeenVerified to find a vehicle owner is a breeze. Here’s a simple guide to get you started:
- Visit BeenVerified’s Vehicle Research Page: Head to BeenVerified’s website and navigate the vehicle research page.
- Enter the VIN Number: Input the VIN of the vehicle you want to investigate. If you have a license plate number, you can also try that.
- Click SEARCH: Hit the search button and let BeenVerified work its magic.
- Access the Comprehensive Report: Within seconds, you’ll receive a full report containing all available data, including the owner’s name, age, and contact information.
- Explore Additional Information: If you want even more details about the vehicle owner, simply click the “Search person” option in the Owner Details section.
Key Features of BeenVerified
BeenVerified isn’t just about vehicle lookups. It’s a versatile platform that offers seven different features:
- People Search: Find information about individuals using their names.
- Reverse Phone Lookup: Identify a person or entity associated with a phone number.
- Reverse Email Search: Discover details linked to an email address.
- Reverse Address Lookup: Learn more about a specific address and its occupants.
- Username Search: Investigate online usernames to uncover more about their users.
- Unclaimed Money Search: Find unclaimed assets that might belong to you.
- Vehicle Lookup: As we discussed, this feature is your gateway to comprehensive vehicle information.
In summary, BeenVerified is your all-in-one solution for conducting vehicle owner searches.
Its robust database, ease of use, and wealth of features make it the ultimate choice for unraveling the history of any vehicle and its owner.
2. Run a VIN Check Online
Once you have the VIN, it’s time to initiate a comprehensive online search. Numerous online platforms and government databases are available to assist you.
Two noteworthy sources are the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Carfax, which can provide a wealth of information regarding the vehicle’s history, including vital ownership records.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
The NHTSA is a federal agency dedicated to improving road safety and vehicle standards.
When you use their VIN lookup service, you gain access to a treasure trove of data related to the vehicle.
This data encompasses safety recalls, technical service bulletins, crash test ratings, and consumer complaints.
By scrutinizing this information, you can ascertain whether the vehicle has been involved in any safety-related incidents, undergone essential repairs, or possesses a pristine safety record.
Carfax
Carfax is a trusted name in the automotive industry, renowned for its meticulous vehicle history reports.
You receive a comprehensive dossier on the vehicle’s past when you enter the VIN into the Carfax database.
This includes details about previous owners, accident history, title transfers, and maintenance records.
Carfax compiles information from various sources, including state DMVs, insurance companies, and auto auctions, to offer a comprehensive overview of the vehicle’s life.
3. Contact the DMV
Your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can be a valuable resource if your online efforts yield no results or require more detailed information.
The DMV has access to a vast repository of vehicle records, making it a prime destination for obtaining ownership information.
However, it’s essential to know that DMVs typically have specific procedures when requesting this information.
You must provide a valid reason for your request, ensuring it aligns with legal and ethical boundaries.
Additionally, be prepared to pay a nominal fee, as DMVs often charge for their services.
4. Hire a Private Investigator
When the methods above prove insufficient or when you require an even more in-depth investigation, hiring a licensed private investigator may be the next logical step.
Private investigators possess specialized knowledge, access to exclusive databases, and a network of resources that allow them to delve deep into tracing vehicle ownership.
Private investigators can dig into the backgrounds of previous and current owners, uncover hidden vehicle histories, and provide a comprehensive report on the vehicle’s ownership lineage.
While this option may incur additional costs, it can be invaluable when you need highly detailed and hard-to-find information.
What Does VIN Mean And Where To Locate It?
The VIN is a unique 17-character code assigned to every vehicle manufactured after 1981.
The vehicle’s fingerprint contains essential information about its make, model, year, and manufacturing plant.
The initial and crucial step in your quest to find a vehicle owner by VIN is to locate this unique identifier. The VIN is typically found in one of the following locations:
- On the Dashboard: Begin your search on the dashboard, usually on the driver’s side, near the windshield base. It’s often visible through the windshield from the outside, making it relatively easy to spot.
- Inside the Driver’s Side Door Frame: Another common location for the VIN is on a sticker or metal plate inside the side door frame. Open the driver’s side door and look around the edges where the door meets the frame. You might find the VIN there.
- In Your Vehicle’s Registration and Insurance Documents: If you can’t find the VIN in the aforementioned physical locations, your vehicle’s registration and insurance documents are valuable sources. These documents often contain the VIN, providing a written record of this essential identifier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Legal to Search for A Vehicle Owner by VIN?
Searching for a vehicle owner by VIN is legal, as VIN information is considered public data.
However, the legality of using this information for specific reasons may vary depending on your jurisdiction.
It is critical to use it ethically and within the bounds of the law.
How Do I Report an Error or Inconsistency in A VIN Search Result?
If you find erroneous or obsolete information in a VIN search result, you must notify the service provider, such as BeenVerified.
You can usually express your issues to a customer care or assistance center. Correcting errors ensures that the material remains trustworthy for future users.
Can I Use a Free Online Tool to Look for The Owner of A Vehicle by VIN?
Yes, there are free web tools that claim to help you find the owner of a vehicle by VIN.
However, use these free tools with caution because the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the information they provide might vary considerably.
Premium specialized tools like BeenVerified are frequently more dependable and accurate.
Conclusion
In the process of uncovering how to find vehicle owner by VIN, you’ve explored the ins and outs of decoding a car’s history.
It’s become clear that a VIN isn’t just a string of characters; it’s a gateway to vital information.
Among the methods you’ve discovered, BeenVerified shines as the top choice.
With its user-friendly interface and extensive database,
BeenVerified makes it easy to locate vehicle owners and unravel the vehicle’s backstory step by step.