Wyoming VIN Lookup

Although purchasing a used car is a budget-friendly option to own a vehicle, it is important to consider the potential risks involved. In Wyoming, used car buyers have legal protections under the lemon law, provided the vehicle meets certain eligibility criteria. These include being covered by the original manufacturer's warranty, being sold and registered within the state, having an unladen weight of less than 10,000 pounds, and being self-propelled (except for vehicles relying solely on human power for movement).

With over 52 used-car dealers operating in Wyoming and the average cost of used cars hovering around $29,419, buyers must take extra precautions to ensure they are making a well-informed and secure purchase.

Therefore, it is important to conduct a thorough investigation before purchasing a used car in Wyoming, and a VIN lookup is a great way to achieve this. These VIN lookups provide information about a vehicle’s history, including inspection records, accident reports, existing liens, recalls, and other relevant information concerning the vehicle’s overall condition.

Why Performing a Wyoming VIN Check Is Important?

A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique 17-character alphanumeric code assigned to a vehicle that serves as its distinctive identifier, granting access to vital information regarding its history, features, and current status. These VIN checks are essential tools when buying new and used cars, and conducting a VIN lookup before finalizing your purchase can safeguard you from potential pitfalls. The essential information you can get when you run a Wyoming VIN check includes:

• Registration and Title Verification: Wyoming Statutes Title 31 requires that all vehicles operating within the state be properly titled and registered with the Department of Transportation (WYDOT). Failure to register a vehicle can result in penalties, including a fine of up to 75% of the unpaid registration fees. A VIN check can confirm a car’s registration status, verify its title, and ensure that the seller has the legal right to transfer ownership.
• Title Brands: VIN checks are crucial in verifying a vehicle’s title brand and revealing its history, condition, and potential risks. If the brand is labeled as “salvage,” “flood damaged,” “junk,” “rebuilt,” or other similar terms, this often indicates that the vehicle has undergone significant damage and repairs.
• Auto Fraud Prevention: Auto-related fraud makes up three percent of all fraud cases in Wyoming, underscoring the importance of exercising caution when purchasing used cars. A VIN lookup can help detect discrepancies such as tampered odometer readings or fraudulent title alterations, minimizing the risk of falling victim to scams.
• Odometer Verification: A VIN lookup not only confirms whether a used car has been properly registered and titled but also helps verify its official odometer reading. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that over 450,000 vehicles are sold annually with tampered odometers, leading to an estimated $1 billion in losses for buyers. VIN checks are a good way to avoid falling for these scams and ensure that you pay a fair market price for a used car.
• Theft Checks: When considering a vehicle purchase in Wyoming, it is essential to check its history, especially given the state's car theft rate of 131.7 per 100,000 residents. A VIN check can reveal whether a car has been reported stolen, thereby ensuring that you avoid the legal and financial complications associated with buying stolen property.

How To Perform a Wyoming VIN Check

In Wyoming, various state and federal agencies offer resources for conducting VIN checks. These include:

• Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT): The WYDOT provides an online service center, where you can verify a car’s title by completing the MV-220 Title Search form and paying a search fee of 50 dollars.
• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): The NHTSA also offers a VIN Decoder tool that focuses on safety-related details. This tool provides details like the car’s manufacturer, model year, production plant, engine and transmission details, safety rating, safety features, and recalls, if any. VIN checks via the NHTSA’s VIN Decoder can be done using a full or partial VIN.
• The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB): The NICB offers a VINCheck lookup service that allows you to verify if a car has been reported stolen or salvaged. You will typically need the car’s full VIN to use this service, and you may only perform five searches per day.
• National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS): Managed by the U.S. Department of Justice, NMVTIS serves as a nationwide database for vehicle title information. Although NMVTIS itself does not provide free vehicle reports, it serves as a repository for approved data providers. You can access NMVTIS data through authorized providers, some of whom offer vehicle history reports for little or no cost.

Free vs. Paid VIN Check Services in Wyoming

While some government agencies and nonprofit organizations provide free VIN checks, these services may not offer all the details needed for a well-informed decision when purchasing a used car. For a more detailed report, you may need to use a paid third-party service. Platforms like EpicVIN, iSeeCar, VinAudit, and GoodCar are top choices for conducting VIN checks in Wyoming.

For a nominal fee, you can access detailed vehicle history reports through these platforms that include:

• Title history
• Odometer verification
• Ownership records
• Title brands
• Vehicle specifications
• Service and maintenance records
• Accident history
• Retail, trade-in, and private-party pricing
• Rebuild records
• Inspection records
• Safety defects and recalls
• Sales History

What Used Car Scams Are Common in Wyoming?

When buying used cars, Wyomingites must be cautious of fraudulent schemes, ranging from fraudulent online car listings to unlicensed dealers selling "lemons." Recently, the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s Compliance and Investigation program, alongside the Wyoming Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Protection and Antitrust, issued a warning about an ongoing scam involving a fraudulent used car dealer allegedly based in Cheyenne, who advertised trailers online, took payments, and never delivered the products. Some of the most common used car scams in Wyoming include:

Title Washing:

Altering a vehicle’s title to remove negative labels such as “salvage” or “flood-damaged” to hide past damage and make the car appear in better condition than it actually is.

VIN Cloning:

Copying the VIN from one vehicle and using it on another car (usually a stolen or salvaged one) to mask its true identity.

Curbstoning:

Illegally selling used cars for a profit; this is usually perpetrated by unlicensed dealers posing as private sellers.

Odometer Fraud:

Rolling back a vehicle’s odometer to make it appear less used and increase its market value.

Fake Vehicle Histories:

Providing fake accident reports or maintenance records to make a car appear more well-maintained and valuable than it actually is.

Unfortunately, scams like this are prevalent in the used car market. In most cases, these scams result in significant financial loss and legal implications for unsuspecting buyers, emphasizing the importance of exercising caution when purchasing a vehicle. You should consider taking the following steps when purchasing a vehicle to avoid falling prey to an auto-related scam in Wyoming:

• Have a clear idea of the type of vehicle you wish to buy, its estimated cost, and its features.
• Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.
• Request and review all relevant documentation.
• Insist on a written warranty.
• Use reputable sites like GoodCar to conduct a thorough VIN check on the vehicle before making a purchase.

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

If you are uncertain about your vehicle’s title status or need to verify lienholder information, the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) maintains an online platform for quick and easy access. This check is crucial, especially when purchasing a used car, as it helps prevent potential issues (such as unresolved liens or inaccurate ownership details) that may hinder your ability to properly use, sell, or transfer the vehicle.

To verify title status and lienholder information with the WYDOT, you will need to complete the MV-220 Title Search form indicating your reason for the inquiry. You may mail the completed form along with the necessary documents and a $15 search fee to WYDOT, ATTN: Motor Vehicle Services, 5300 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, Wyoming 82009-3340. The search will generate information on the vehicle that matches the inputted information.

How To Register a Brand New Car in Wyoming

Once you purchase a car in Wyoming, you must register it with the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) before legally driving it on public roads. You will need the following steps to do this:

• Obtain the required documents. You will need the Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO), which serves as proof of ownership. Additionally, a dealer invoice or a notarized bill of sale is required to verify purchase details, including the seller’s information and the price paid. You must also obtain a valid Wyoming auto insurance policy from a state-licensed provider.
• Apply for a title at the County Clerk’s Office. In Wyoming, vehicle titles are issued at your local County Clerk’s Office. You may visit in person to submit the necessary documents.

• Complete the registration at the County Treasurer’s Office and pay applicable fees. In Wyoming, vehicle registration is handled at the local county treasurer's office in the county where you reside.
• Pay registration fees and taxes. Wyoming has a standard state registration fee of $30 for passenger vehicles, while additional county fees vary based on the vehicle’s factory price and age. Additionally, a state sales tax of 4% applies, although some counties impose additional taxes.

• Receive your registration certificate and license plates.
• Renew your vehicle registration annually. You can renew online, in person, or by mail through your County Treasurer's Office.

Does Wyoming Mandate Vehicle Inspection?

Unlike some states that require periodic vehicle inspection, Wyoming does not have a mandatory statewide inspection program for emissions or safety checks for passenger cars. Nonetheless, there are a few exceptions under the Wyoming Statutes Title 31 :

• If a vehicle has been classNameified as salvage and subsequently undergoes repair, it must pass an inspection conducted by a Wyoming law enforcement officer before it can be retitled and registered. This inspection ensures that the car is roadworthy and was not assembled with stolen parts.
• If you are registering an out-of-state vehicle for the first time or when a vehicle needs a vehicle identification number (VIN), a VIN inspection may be required.

Wyoming vehicle inspections evaluate the condition of the vehicle, including the brakes, exhaust system, steering, suspension, lighting devices, and emissions systems (if applicable), to ensure compliance with the state's safety and environmental standards. VIN and odometer verifications are also a crucial part of these inspections and are conducted to ensure that the vehicle's details match the records in the state's database and have not been altered to bypass regulations.

How Do I Get a Replacement VIN in Wyoming?

If your VIN is missing, damaged, or altered, or if you have built a homemade vehicle or rebuilt one from salvage, you will need a replacement VIN. In Wyoming, the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) handles this process, and there are a few key steps you need to follow to get a state-assigned VIN. They include:

• Obtain an application form MV-401 from any Wyoming County Clerk or Treasurer’s office.
• Submit a photograph of the completed vehicle or trailer with the application form.
• Obtain a VIN inspection from law enforcement indicating “NO VIN.”
• Apply to WYDOT for the State Assigned VIN.
• WYDOT will issue a number that must be stamped onto the vehicle. (The state-assigned VIN will start with an “S” and end with a “W.”).
• Get a second VIN inspection from law enforcement indicating the new VIN has been die-punched onto the vehicle.
• Take the WYDOT paperwork and second VIN inspection to your local County Clerk to receive a title.

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

VIN inspections for out-of-state vehicles are mandated under Wyoming Statutes Title 31 before they can be registered in the state. This process ensures that the vehicle's identification number aligns with the accompanying documentation.

If your vehicle is currently out of state, you can have a local law enforcement officer within your jurisdiction conduct the inspection using the Out of State VIN Inspection Form. Once completed, submit the form along with any required fees to the County Clerk's Title Office in your county of residence.