Rhode Island VIN Lookup

Purchasing a car in Rhode Island can be a huge financial undertaken, even when you go the used-car route. On average, getting a used car in the state can cost around $24,962. As such, it is your responsibility to ensure you are getting a car that meets safety and durability standards irrespective of the consumer protection provided by Rhode Island. The state’s lemon laws require car dealers to repair or refund, within 1 year or 15,000 miles, any defective motor vehicle purchase. However, with over 113 car dealers in the Ocean State, you should make sure the vehicle you are getting is in tip-top shape by requesting and inspecting the written warranty or vehicle inspection report from the dealer.

You should also carry out a VIN lookup. VIN lookups are a great way to do a thorough assessment of the vehicle. They usually provide important details about a vehicle's history, such as accident reports, recalls, inspection records, current liens, and other pertinent information about the vehicle's general condition.

Why Performing a Rhode Island VIN Check Is Important

The Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN, is a special 17-character code used to identify a particular vehicle and retrieve important information about its features, history, and condition. VIN checks can be quite helpful when purchasing a vehicle, especially a used one. You can steer clear of possible problems by performing a VIN lookup before completing your transaction. You may find the following information by carrying out a Rhode Island VIN check:

• Registration and Title Verification: Rhode Island Gen. Laws § 31-3-1 states that it is a civil violation, punishable by a fine of more than five hundred dollars ($500) or by imprisonment, for any person to operate any vehicle, that is not registered and for which the appropriate fee has not been paid or not registered as required in any other state. A VIN check is an excellent way to avoid such legal issues and confirm the car's registration status, the car's title, and the seller's legal authority to sell it.
• Odometer Verification: An odometer is a device used to measure the distance a vehicle has traveled. A VIN lookup can verify the official odometer reading of the vehicle. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 450,000 vehicles with purposefully manipulated odometer readings are sold each year, costing consumers over $1 billion. You can make sure you pay a fair market price for a used automobile and prevent yourself from falling for these scams by using VIN checks.
• Title Brands: You can carry out a VIN check to find out a vehicle's title brand. Such checks reveal the vehicle’s history, condition, and possible risks. It is typically a sign of serious damage and repairs if the brand is labeled as "salvage," "flood damaged," "junk," "rebuilt," or something similar.
• Theft Checks: Rhode Island has a car theft rate of 173 per 100,000 residents. You can avoid the financial and legal ramifications of purchasing stolen items by using a VIN check to see whether an automobile has been reported stolen.
• Auto Fraud Prevention: There are 75.5 auto fraud cases for every 100,000 residents in Rhode Island, accounting for 4 percent of fraud cases in the state. It is important to take this into account while purchasing a used car. To make sure you are not being duped, you can carry out a VIN check to identify inconsistencies such as rolled-out odometer readings and cleaned or falsified titles.

How To Perform a Rhode Island VIN Check

You can perform a VIN check in Rhode Island through various state and federal agencies. These include:

Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles:

The Rhode Island DMV recommends that VIN checks be carried out through the local municipal police department. To carry out a VIN check, the applicant can bring the vehicle to a municipal police department for a VIN check, along with the original title, a photocopy of the title (if there is a lien), an Electronic Title printout (from Electronic Title states if there is a lien), or a legitimate proof of prior ownership (from Non-Titled States).

The NHTSA VIN Decoder:

You can also use the NHTSA's VIN Decoder to check your VIN, whether you have whole and partial VINs. The tool primarily concentrates on safety-related data. It provides details such as the car's manufacturer, model year, manufacturing facility, engine and gearbox specifications, safety features, safety ratings, and any recalls.

The NICB VINCheck Lookup:

You can check if an automobile has been reported stolen or salvaged by using the NICB VINCheck lookup service. To use this service, you usually require the complete VIN of the vehicle, and you are limited to five searches each day.

Free vs. Paid VIN Check Services in Rhode Island

Free VIN checks are provided by government agencies and some nonprofits, but if you want to make an informed decision when purchasing a used car, you might want to consider a paid third-party website. The best options for performing VIN checks in Rhode Island are platforms such as GoodCar, iSeeCars, and CarFax. These platforms offer comprehensive vehicle history reports for a low cost, and they include:

• Accident history
• Inspection records
• NHTSA crash test ratings
• Odometer/mileage verification
• Ownership records
• Rebuild records
• Retail, trade-in, and private-party pricing
• Safety defects and recalls
• Sales history
• Service and maintenance records
• Title brands
• Title details
• Vehicle specifications, and much more!

What Used Car Scams Are Common in Rhode Island?

Rhode Islanders, trying to buy a vehicle, can become vulnerable to several fraudulent tactics, ranging from false Internet vehicle ads to unlicensed sellers trying to unload defective vehicles on unsuspecting buyers. The Attorney General of Rhode Island recently filed a lawsuit against a dealership for selling unsafe cars without obtaining a state safety inspection. In a related case, six dealerships agreed to pay a settlement after the state accused them of secretly charging for add-on warranties that weren't included in their quoted rates. Other prevalent frauds involving secondhand cars in Rhode Island include:

Escrow Fraud:

Deceiving the buyer to believe they are making advance payment to an escrow account while the money goes directly to the scammer who then disappears with the cash.

Curbstoning:

Carrying out the illicit sale of secondhand cars for a profit; unlicensed dealers typically sell these vehicles under the guise of private sellers.

Title Washing:

Changing a car's title to conceal that it is salvage or flood-damaged.

Odometer Fraud:

Manipulating the odometer readings so that it seems it has not been used as much.

Car Cloning:

Using stolen VINs and fraudulent documents to make a stolen car appear to be legitimate.

Sadly, going the used car route comes with its fair share of scams, like these. These frauds typically cause naïve customers to suffer significant financial losses as well as legal repercussions. As such, it is important to exercise caution while purchasing cars. To prevent being a victim of a used car scam, you should think about implementing the following safety measures while getting a used car in Rhode Island:

• Avoid making large deposits or paying with gift cards.
• Know exactly what kind of car you want to purchase, how much it will cost, and what features it will have.
• Never rely on the website, email address, or phone number supplied by the seller.
• Get and thoroughly examine all important documentation before finalizing the purchase.
• Before completing the transaction, thoroughly check the vehicle's VIN using reliable websites like GoodCar.

How Do I Check the Status of My Vehicle's Title in Rhode Island?

If you are purchasing a used car, it’s important to verify the title status. This ensures there are no issues (such as unpaid liens or inaccurate ownership information) that could interfere with your ability to use, sell, or transfer the car as intended.

The Vehicle Title Inquiry portal in Rhode Island allows you to verify the title of your vehicle. This service lets users view title records that are currently on file with the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles, displaying the most recent record available.

To access the Vehicle Title Inquiry's database, you must have an active RI.gov account. You can register by visiting the Subscriber Services page. To use the platform, you will need your RI.gov Subscriber username and password, along with the full VIN of the titled vehicle or the license plate number and type. A title inquiry will cost $54.50.

How To Register a Brand New Car in Rhode Island

The Division of Motor Vehicles is responsible for registering new vehicles in Rhode Island. New car owners have 30 days to register their vehicles after purchase. You will generally need to complete and sign the Application for Registration to start the registration process. To carry out a new registration for a vehicle you bought from a dealer, you’ll need the following:

• Valid RI insurance
• Dealer Sales Tax form
• Bill of Sale
• Gross Vehicle Weight (found on VIN plate on driver's side door)
• RI license or identification card
• RI Use Tax form (for out-of-state dealers only)
• Power of Attorney (if it is a leased vehicle)
• Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO) or original Title or Proof of Previous Owner from a non-titled state
• Title is required unless the vehicle is older than the model year 2001
• If there are two owners on title, both parties must be present during registration, if not, the signature of the absent party must be notarized on the Application for Registration
• VIN Check (If the title is from another state or the vehicle was registered in another state)
• Sales tax (this must be paid prior to or at the time of registration)

If you are under the age of 18 and you want to process a registration in your name, you need to have a GU-1338 certificate of insurance in your name on record at the Cranston DMV.

What Are the Requirements for Registering a New Car in Rhode Island?

Around 806,142 motor vehicles are registered in Rhode Island every year. The type of vehicle you are registering will determine the cost of your car registration. The cost of registering a new passenger vehicle will be determined by the weight of the vehicle, prorated by the date of registration, plus a $2.50 annual DOT premium of $15.00. The required fee to obtain a new title is $52.50. Payment can be made by cash, money orders, personal checks, bank checks, and credit cards. Checks are payable to the Division of Motor Vehicles.

Renewing your car registration in Rhode Island is a relatively easy process. Passenger vehicle registrations can be renewed online. Certain vehicles, though, may be subject to limitations. To complete your renewal, you will need:

• Your current vehicle registration or renewal notice
• Your current vehicle insurance card
• A credit card and billing address
• A printer connected to your computer to print your receipt

Does Rhode Island Mandate Vehicle Inspection?

The Rhode Island General Laws § 31-47.1-3(a) and 280-RICR-30-15-3.3 mandate that all vehicles registered in Rhode Island are required to pass a Safety and Emissions test. The frequency of the test is determined by the kind of vehicle. Light Duty Vehicles and Light Duty Trucks (Gas & Diesel-powered), up to and including 8,500 pounds, are required to pass this test at least once every 24 months.

For Heavy Duty Vehicles and Heavy Duty Trucks greater than 8,500 pounds, a Safety Inspection is required at least once every 12 months. All semi-trucks and trailers weighing more than 1,000 pounds, including livestock trailers and livestock semi-trailers (irrespective of gross weight), and motorcycles must pass a Safety Inspection before June 30th each year.

These tests typically ensure that the vehicle lights, brakes, horn, windshield wipers, seat belts, tires, suspension, and shocks are all up to safety standards. Additionally, they ensure that the car complies with the environmental regulations set forth by the state. Another important aspect of these inspections is the odometer and VIN checks, which are performed to make sure the vehicle's information matches the state database and hasn't been altered to circumvent laws.

How Do I Get a Replacement VIN in Rhode Island?

A person may wish to replace their VIN for legitimate reasons, such as if it is broken, missing, or changed. Additionally, you will need to replace the VIN, whether you are dealing with a salvage-rebuilt car or a homemade vehicle.

Although replacement VINs are not offered by the Rhode Island DMV, you can seek a duplicate registration for a vehicle. The following instructions can be used to get a registration duplicate online or by mail:

• Online: Go to Online Services and use the DMV's online duplicate registration service.
• By Mail: Send the Application for Registration and a check or money order to the Division of Motor Vehicles Attn: Registration Duplicate, 600 New London Avenue, Cranston RI 02920.

Does Rhode Island Require a VIN Inspection for Out-of-State Vehicles?

All vehicles coming into Rhode Island from out of state, regardless of the model or year, require a VIN check. VIN checks can be done by a local municipal police department in the state. The requirements for carrying out a VIN check vary for each police department. However, you typically need to provide:

• The vehicle
• Driver's License
• Out-of-state Title Certificate or Valid Registration (Non-Expired) – If there's a lien on the vehicle, a copy of the title may be obtained from the lien holder
• Proof of Rhode Island residence with current address (electric/gas bill, etc.)
• Current Vehicle Mileage at the time of VIN check
• Service Fee