Find Who Owns a Car

Name Phone Number License Plate VIN
Name Phone Number License Plate VIN

How to Find Who Owns a Car

Finding who owns a vehicle has never been easier. All you need to begin to find out who owns a car is the full license plate number of the vehicle, but you can also search vehicle owner information by the VIN. Once you have the full license plate number, or VIN, of the vehicle you want to search, you can enter that into the search fields to begin. In the next step you will be prompted to select a reason to for running your car owner search. Then once your car owner search is complete, make sure to check that the vehicle matches the results. After that you can access a multitude of information including car owner details, vehicle history reports, vehicle title verification, accidents, recalls and more.

The basic steps to find who owns a car are as follows:

  1. Enter the full license plate number into the search field, and select a state
  2. Verify you have a legitimate reason for running a car owner search
  3. Once your search is complete, verify the make and model of the vehicle match
  4. Verify car owner details, depending on your reason for this search, and what is allowed in your state
  5. Use the information obtained only as directed and as required by state regulations

How to Find Who Owns a Car

How to Find Who Owns a Car By VIN

To find out who owns a car by VIN , or vehicle identification number, you will need the complete VIN. The vehicle identification number is a 17 digit alpha-numeric code that describes all the specific vehicle information and each VIN is unique to one specific car, just like the license plate number. You can go through the same channels as the license plate search as long as you have a legitimate reason to perform this car owner search. It’s also important to note that not all sites that offer vehicle records have access to car owner information. So if you are searching by VIN it’s good to be certain of this. The same rules apply to access owner information with a VIN search as they do with a license plate search.

Car Owner Search

Reasons for Finding out Who Owns a Car

There are a multitude of reasons that someone would like to know who owns a car. It might be that they’re in the market for a used car or maybe checking on the title of their own car or possibly another reason that is allowed via the DPPA. The Driver Privacy Protection Act is very serious and only those that meet the criteria and have a legitimate reason can perform this car owner search. Each state in the United States has their own DPPA that must be adhered to. To find out more about DPPA reasons and regulations in order to answer the question, “ How to Find Who Owns a Car ,” can be found here on Wikipedia. Also note that not all states allow the same reasons to find out who owns a car and some information about the car owner may be limited. Also note that you will be personally liable for information obtained in a car owner search and it’s illegal to stalk or harass anyone with any information you obtain. Please be responsible with the information you find. The FOIA, or Freedom of Information Act makes vehicle records public domain so that people can access this information as long as their in compliance with state, local and federal regulations.

What You Can Find With a Car Plate Search

  1. Make and Model of the Car
  2. Car Owner Information
  3. VIN – 17 digit Vehicle Identification Number
  4. Car Specifications and Manufacturing Details
  5. Car History Report
  6. Accident History
  7. Car Title Status
  8. Crash Test Ratings and Recalls

Many people run a car plate search for reasons of purchasing a used car and verification of the vehicle and vehicle ownership which is a key part of the transaction. It can be very helpful to know if the car title is clean or salvaged or has a lien on it, if there are any major safety concerns. There are a multitude of reasons people want to know more about vehicles and with our search tool you can run multiple searches on the cars you want to know more about.

Researching Cars For Sale By Owner

There are some simple ways to verify and research cars for sale by owner. A license plate search or VIN search can be useful information for people researching a used car such as, obtaining a car history report, verifying if the odometer is accurate, checking if the car has a salvaged title, or if the car was in any major car accidents. Many people have voiced concerns about buying a used car by owner on craigslist, because of all the scams that are out there. These concerns can be somewhat mitigated by doing some quick research before handing over any cash for that used car, running a vehicle history report can reveal the truth and if there are any problems that were not disclosed. Another way to verify the car for sale by owner is legit is to verify if the owner is the seller of the vehicle. You may want to ask them to show you their driver’s license and match that with the car title or registration before making the purchase. Most importantly, never send any money until you see and verify the used the car in person. Buying a stolen vehicle happens, and the buyer is the one that pays the price. With over 275 million vehicles on the road, according to a 2020 Department of Transportation report, the need for vehicle related information has become significant, especially for people researching a used car they are interested in. With a quick online license plate number search or VIN check, a person can research the history of most any car to make a more informed decision.

Common Used Car Scams

Cars for sale by owner scams are on the rise, there are many online platforms that host used car sales but not all the listings are legitimate, even though the platform is. According to the FTC in December 2022 report, car buying scams have gone up significantly year over year, from flood damaged cars to phony car sales. It’s a good idea to keep that in mind when purchasing a used car from an unknown seller. There are a few obvious things to look out for with popular used car scams:

  1. If the used car owner asks you to pay them before you see the car in person. This is a big red flag that should be avoided
  2. If the used car seller attempts to pressure you into sending them a deposit because there is a lot of interest in the car they’re selling. this is a major red flag
  3. If the seller is not local or in another state or country, do not make a deal without seeing the car and owner together. The seller might not even own the car they’re trying to sell
  4. If the deal is too good to be true, then maybe it is. Make sure to do your research and run a vehicle history report and check the status of the title to make sure the car isn’t a lemon.
  5. If you cannot get the car owner to meet you in person, then this is very risky as well. You will want to verify they are the owner of the vehicle before making any transaction
  6. If the car owner asks for a bunch of personal information over the phone then you might consider they’re trying to get steal your identity, this is also a prevalent online scam to look out for.

Run a Car Owner Search By State

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Responses to “Find Who Owns a Car

  1. squarryadministrator says:

    Julie, we understand your frustration but we cannot give out car owner information in this situation. If you are being harassed you can give the car license plate information to the police to have them follow up.

  2. Julie StJohn says:

    I have been harassed on and off by drivers. It appears more than average and spans across states and is always unnecessary since person does not have to be up against the back of my car because lane next to me always open. Today tried to find out owner of a particular plate that harassed me bad on road..but was told “ payed to remain private” but it gave me a vin number.

  3. squarryadministrator says:

    Brandon, you will need to go through the correct channels to transfer the title of an abandoned car on your property. The first step is to notify the police and file an abandoned car report with them. The police will then try to contact the owner of the vehicle. If they do not get a response or cannot find the previous owner you can file a claim to transfer the title into your name.

  4. Brandon ripley says:

    I found an abandoned vehicle and id like to know who owns it and if I can buy it

  5. squarryadministrator says:

    Grace, that is good news that you were not hit by this driver. To follow up on this reckless car driver you can contact your local police and give them the video footage and they can follow up on this situation for you. Hopefully the camera caught the car license plate number so they can follow up on who owns this car.

  6. Grace says:

    A reckless driver cut across double yellow line to the opposite side of the road into my lane on King mountain road yesterday and almost hit me on a bike. I managed to stay calm and not get hit. I have the video recorded from a bike camera. What can I do in this situation?

  7. squarryadministrator says:

    Marie, to find who owns a car you must go through the correct channels and review the DPPA requirements and state requirements for performing such a search.

  8. Marie says:

    Can I find the name of the owner who backed up on my car?

  9. squarryadministrator says:

    Chris, you will need to talk to the DMV in this situation and ask them how to proceed in finding who owns the motorcycle and how to transfer the motorcycle title into your name.

  10. Chris burgess says:

    The guy I bought a motorcycle from lost the title and never sent it off in his name so how do I go about getting the title holders name and address to get him to file a lost title from I did a title search and no lean on the bike and it is clean no accidents either

  11. Herbert Short says:

    Mercedes Benz autos are very expensive to maintain. Look for a Japanese vehicle.

  12. squarryadministrator says:

    Marshall, this sounds like a fraud situation that you may want to discuss with the motor vehicle department directly and/or the police

  13. Marshall says:

    Someone show my title my truck without me knowing it I have the title they did not

  14. Marshall traughber says:

    Someone so my vehicle without my permission my name is on the title

  15. sydney mitchell says:

    I am totally depressed. Back in 04 I had built a Harley-Davidson with my father. It was the only thing that we ever built together and for the most part we were like oil and water except for this one project. He passed away in 07 in 010 I had financial difficulty and had to sell that motorcycle. I’ve been searching for it for many years I’m trying to reach out to the new owners and possibly buy it back. I don’t know where to look or who can help I just want to explain my story and maybe hopefully I can get the bike back can you help

  16. squarryadministrator says:

    Tara, you’ll need to visit a motor vehicle department in person to handle the title transfer of the vehicle. Once you’ve satisfied all the requirements and pay the relevant fees, you’ll be issued a new car title and registration

  17. Tara Williams says:

    Bought it with a bill of sale and I need to tag it but I don’t have a title

  18. squarryadministrator says:

    Jackie, it sounds like you have a case. You’ll want to file a police report first and then either contact the clerk of the courts to inquire about personally filing a claim or seek the guidance of a legal attorney

  19. Jackie says:

    I recently had a man trespass onto my property. When I told him to leave he got hostile and defensive, getting into my face and staying on my property for an extended time frame. THe police never showed up even though I called twice and told them the situation. I want to press charges for trespassing. Is this valid?

  20. William Crummie says:

    I have been looking to buy this motorcycle and the guy that is selling it don’t have a title or any paper work on it. How do I find out if he is the owner or not by the vin number.

Author:
Last Updated: 2023-02-06

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