THE NUMBERS GAME

By Classic Car Restoration Club Editors

QA-DMV-1

Q:

How would I trace the VIN number of my car to find its history? Glen Williams El Paso, TX

A:

Your best bet would be the DMV. It’s possible they might have registration and ownership records for your car going back to when it was originally purchased, but how much of this they can (or will) share with you varies greatly from state to state. I’d recommend a phone call to your local DMV office just to get a feel for what kind of reception your inquiry receives. If they are willing to help you out (even for a fee) it could be a fun addition to the information you already know about your vehicle. If your request for information is flat-out refused, you might be left wondering about your car’s past. Additionally some years, makes, models of cars have avid followers and keep track of vehicles through registries; a little research along these lines could yield huge results. Mark Simpson Managing Editor

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12 Responses to “THE NUMBERS GAME”

  1. James

    Sometimes the manufacter will give you the car build information.Or try a car club,some know people that can send the vin number someplace & they can give you the car build details. I doubt many State insurance agencies will keep owner records more than 7-10 years now.

  2. Fred

    I tried this many years ago to find out who the original owner of my 1977 Buick Electra was, and paid the only to find out they only kept records back 10 years. I had owned the car longer than that, s o was out of luck. If anyone knows of a lady from EAST TROY, Wisconsin who bought a Buick like this from Zimbrick Buick in Madison, Wisconsin, let me know. I still own this car, and it’s an award winner and a super cruiser!

  3. john

    I tried the DMV as far as trying to find a vin# for my vehicle which only has 13 numbers. There is no site to help you with this issue. So all the people with older cars you will probably never be able to find out what your vehicle came from the factory with as far as information, You would think somebody would have a site for this.

  4. Joe Hughes

    Marti reports will give a detailed information about a vehicles history.

  5. Dave

    How about carfacts

  6. Bob Bond

    First, why do people say “VIN number”? It’s VIN - period. Second, I’m trying to find any history of my car, but so far, Oregon (where I am, California and Washington have no history of the VIN.

  7. Marvin L. Wollam

    I purchased a 1941 Ford Fordoor for $600.00. It had not been license since 1976. When I went to get a title there was no record on file. Apparently it was destroyed due to a certain number of years without and registration or title transfer. DMV had to rebuild and create a record for the car. Therefore I cannot check the history of the car. It appears to have a staff car for the Army. At least in the beginning it had an Army Green baked on enamel that is tough as nails.

  8. Roger Casagrande

    On 4/18/2017, I paid $42.39 with a Visa card for premium membership. When I tried to view a video as a member today, I was denied. Your website is not set up for my email address. Please correct this mistake.

  9. EUGENE

    I HAD A 1955 CHEVROLET 2 DR THAT WAS STOLEN FROM IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE ON 10/22/1968. I HAVE THE REGISTRATION WITH THE V.I.N. FROM THE D.M.V. AND A RECEIPT FROM MY INSURANCE COMPANY. IS THERE ANY WAY I CAN FIND OUT IF THE CAR IS OR WAS REGISTERED SINCE.

  10. Rick johnson

    Am thinking of buying a 62 corvette, no vin, has title & reg,st. i know many vin fell of the steering column due to vibration . Any thing else i should look for? Thanks