Can't Read the Vin Number on a Trailer Colorado

A VIN mismatch occurs when the VIN on the car and the VIN on the title are different, even if they are only off past a single digit. This is frequently a sign of theft or other fraudulent activity, but a small difference could be nothing more than than a simple error by someone long ago – perhaps even when the car was first registered for the road.

I have personally encountered VIN mismatches on several occasions. Some were simple mistakes while others were attempts at fraud. To aid illustrate this trouble I'll tell you lot a few stories from our staff's vault of personal experiences.

If you aren't familiar with how VIN numbers work, you can find out by reading this article.

Small-scale VIN Mismatch: An Easy Gear up

Hey wait, that's me in the Corvette! That was the time I bought a 1979 Chevrolet Corvette from a private party on Craigslist. Information technology was the cheapest running, driving, undamaged iv-speed manual L-82 Corvette I've ever seen – and if that was gibberish to y'all, but know this car was i hell of a notice.

The seller and I noticed that the VIN on the title had a B where the car's VIN number had an 8. Huge red flag, right? Not at all. Nosotros reasoned that someone must have made a mistake several decades ago, possibly when the car was get-go titled way back in 1979. This misprint must have gone unnoticed for over xl years! Just how?

Though incorrect, the VIN sequence was close plenty that information technology plugged into the systems at insurance companies and the DMV. That won't always be the case – this Corvette had a lucky go – just it allowed this car to skirt by with a problem on the title for longer than I had been alive.

The ii major takeaways are:

I yet bought the car. I found an online VIN decoder for this year of Corvette (hither) and discovered that within the VIN sequence that position was only supposed to contain a number, non a letter. The seller was a local resident who I knew to exist trustworthy. Just in case, I covered my bases by running both versions of the VIN. When both versions came dorsum clean, I knew I was good to go.

I needed to gear up the VIN. I happened to know that the state of Missouri will set up a one-digit VIN correction on a car title (your state may be different), so fixing the problem just involved going to the DMV and speaking to an agent. I provided a photo of the machine'south VIN plate, a screenshot of the VIN decoder, and the title itself. They charged me a modest fee and corrected the fault during the usual registration process. I shortly received a corrected championship in my proper noun with no added filibuster. Easy-peasy.

Of class, things don't always go that smoothly.

Major VIN Mismatch: A Big Cherry Flag

Ane of our staffers – nosotros'll phone call him Joe – tried to buy a Honda motorbike from a private political party on Craigslist. At the run into, the seller told stories that implied he had owned the bike for several years. The seller seemed well-versed on the cycle'south problems and operation, so Joe decided to buy. Then the seller'southward mood changed: he produced the championship in haste, trying to motility the sale along very apace, and Joe noticed the VIN on the title was unlike from the one on the motorbike. Not simply a little wrong,very incorrect.

It was articulate that the title belonged to a different motorcycle. To seal the deal, the year printed on the build sticker on the motorcycle'southward frame did not match the year printed on the title. The gig was up.

You lot should exercise the aforementioned affair Joe did in this circumstance:

Telephone call the seller out. Joe explained that the VIN numbers didn't match, and then asked if the seller had perhaps confused the titles to two unlike bikes. The seller treated the outcome as no big deal: "It never caused me a problem man, it's good. I hope this bike is great. It's not stolen or annihilation." Since that's exactly what a thief would say, Joe politely walked away from the deal.

A victim of motorbike theft himself, Joe called the police well-nigh the meet. The outcome is everyone'southward guess, but selling stolen property is often billed equally a felony. So at that place you go.

This is a prime case of why it's of import to ever bring a friend when you see someone off Craigslist. That encounter could have gone a lot worse for Joe if he had been there alone. Of course, the seller showed all his cards.

Ane of our staffers got scammed even harder than that once. Luckily, they had their guard up.

How to Protect Yourself from a VIN Mismatch

A VIN mismatch on a automobile title ofttimes stems from a transcription mistake during the registration process. If the VIN is off by more than one digit, your local DMV may require boosted paperwork to fix the issue. If the VINs on the car and the title are completely different y'all may have encountered fraud.

Buying a car with the wrong VIN listed on the title is a bad thought. As a heir-apparent, the best way to protect yourself is to follow these easy steps when buying a automobile:

• Before the run across, run a VIN check on the vehicle

• At the see, compare all the data and the VINs digit for digit

• Consult an online VIN decoder to determine the correct format of the VIN

• Use your discretion to decide whether a mismatch could be a transcription mistake

• If the VIN is extremely wrong, walk away from the deal

To save time, ask for the VIN early. See if the seller will ship you lot photos of the championship and the motorcar's VIN number earlier the meet. This volition save you a trip and whatsoever dangers or force per unit area from a potential scammer. If the seller won't provide these things before the sale, that'south a red flag.

It's a bird! Information technology'due south a plane! Information technology's leaking oil!

Dirt Legal Can Aid

We are a minor group of vehicle specialists who are passionate about combating title fraud. We offer quick and easy VIN Checks and Vehicle Accident Reports to equip you with the details to make an informed conclusion. Worst case, nosotros can also get you a new title and license plates! Buy now or bookmark for later:

Contact us with any questions. Our staff is well-versed in all manner of championship issues. If you lot encountered a strange situation and demand to inquire someone most it, or if you have questions about VIN mismatches or whatever other title topic, contact the states for a no-obligation conversation.

Photos in this article were provided by the author, Justin Dake.

We are not attorneys. This article is not legal communication.

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Source: https://www.dirtlegal.com/blog/what-if-the-vin-on-the-car-doesnt-match-the-title

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