VIN Title Check
API
The ultimate defense against title washing and vehicle fraud. Verify Clean, Salvage, Rebuilt, and Flood titles instantly against the NMVTIS database.
const response = await fetch('https://api.vehicledatabases.com/v1/title/check?vin=1G1...', { headers: { 'x-api-key': 'YOUR_API_KEY' } }); const data = await response.json(); // Response: { "title_status": "Clean", "brands": [], "theft_record": false, "lien_holder": null, "last_state": "CA", "issue_date": "2023-05-12" }
Choose Your Title Data Solution
Whether you need instant verification for a trade-in or bulk screening for an entire fleet, we have the right tool.
Real-Time API
Best for dealer DMS integration, insurance quoting, and consumer apps.
- Instant NMVTIS check
- Theft & Lien detection
- Pay-per-request pricing
Bulk Database
Best for risk modeling, fleet analysis, and large-scale inventory audits.
- Full NMVTIS history
- Daily or weekly CSV updates
- Flat monthly rate
The Silent Epidemic of Title Washing
Over 800,000 vehicles on the road have washed titles. Our API detects hidden brands that state DMVs might miss.
Title Brands
Identify critical brands like Salvage, Rebuilt, Junk, and Lemon Law Buyback instantly.
Flood Detection
Spot water damage history. Flood cars often rot from the inside out, causing electrical failures months later.
Theft Records
Check against the NICB database to ensure the vehicle isn't currently reported as stolen.
Lien Check
Verify if there are any active liens on the title before you buy or trade.
Odometer Rollback
Compare the current mileage against historical title records to detect fraud.
State History
Track the vehicle's registration across state lines to identify potential title washing schemes.
Technical Deep Dive
The VIN Title Check API queries the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) and other federal databases to provide a definitive status of a vehicle's title.
Endpoints
-
GET
/v1/title/checkGet the current title status and brands for a VIN.
-
GET
/v1/title/historyGet the full history of title events across all states.
Authentication
Authenticate your requests using the x-api-key
header. You can manage your API keys in the developer dashboard.
Data Dictionary
| Field | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| title_status | string | Current status: "Clean", "Salvage", "Rebuilt", "Junk". |
| brands | array | List of specific brands (e.g., ["Flood", "Hail"]). |
| theft_record | boolean | True if the vehicle is currently reported stolen. |
| lien_holder | string | Name of the financial institution holding the lien, if any. |
| last_state | string | The state where the vehicle was last titled. |
| issue_date | string | Date the current title was issued (ISO 8601). |
Industry Use Cases
Used Car Dealerships
Avoid buying bad inventory. Run a title check before bidding at auction to ensure you aren't stuck with a "washed" lemon.
Auto Lenders
Secure your collateral. Verify that the vehicle you are financing has a clean title and isn't already carrying a lien from another bank.
Insurance Carriers
Accurately price risk. Filter out salvage or rebuilt titles during the quoting process to avoid insuring high-risk vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NMVTIS?
The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) is a federal database designed to prevent title fraud and protect consumers from unsafe vehicles.
Can you detect washed titles?
Yes. Because we query the federal database, we can see if a vehicle was branded "Salvage" in one state even if it was later titled "Clean" in another.
Do you provide lien holder information?
Yes, when available, we provide the name of the lien holder. This is critical for verifying that a seller actually has the right to sell the car.
Is the theft data real-time?
Yes. We query the NICB (National Insurance Crime Bureau) database in real-time to check for active theft reports.
Verify Before You Buy
Get instant title verification. No credit card required for testing.