Wheel ScoutWhat NMVTIS is
NMVTIS is the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System, run under the U.S. Department of Justice. States, insurers, junk yards and salvage yards report to it, so a car's brands follow its VIN from state to state. Consumers can't search it directly; reports come through approved NMVTIS data providers.
What an NMVTIS report includes
What it doesn't include
NMVTIS is built to be short. The Department of Justice says about 87 percent of US vehicles are in it and that not every state reports, so a clean result can still miss something. Brand rules also differ by state, and a "total loss" doesn't always mean the car was destroyed. For owners, accidents and service records, the full vehicle history report goes further.
The reports
The basic report is the NMVTIS record. The full report adds owners, accidents and service history.
Basic history report
By VIN or license plate · official NMVTIS record · shows right away
- Salvage, junk, flood and rebuilt title brands
- Title history by state, with dates
- Odometer readings and rollback flags
- Total-loss records from insurers
- Theft check
- Market value for the car
Full vehicle history report
By VIN or license plate · Not instant: emailed or texted to you within two hours
- Every owner, how they used it (personal, lease, rental or fleet) and where
- Accidents and damage reports
- Title brands: salvage, junk, rebuilt, flood, fire, hail, lemon
- Odometer readings over time, checked for rollbacks
- Service and maintenance history
- Open recalls and common owner complaints for the model
NMVTIS questions
What is an NMVTIS report?
A report from the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System, the federal title database run under the U.S. Department of Justice. It shows a car's current title, brand history, odometer readings, insurer total losses and junk or salvage yard reports.
How do I get an NMVTIS report?
Through an approved NMVTIS data provider. Type the VIN or license plate above; Wheel Scout's $5 basic report comes from one and shows right away.
Is NMVTIS the same as a full vehicle history report?
No. NMVTIS covers titles, brands, odometer and total-loss records. A full report adds owners, accidents and service history, which is what the $10 report is for.
Is an NMVTIS report legit?
Yes. NMVTIS was created by federal law to protect buyers from title fraud, and only approved providers can sell its reports.
Why might NMVTIS miss something?
Not every state reports to it, and records are only as complete as what states, insurers and salvage yards send. The Department of Justice says about 87 percent of US vehicles are covered.
Does an NMVTIS report show the owner's name?
No. Federal privacy law (the Driver's Privacy Protection Act) keeps owners' personal information out of these reports.
More ways to check a car
Find the deal, then check it.
Wheel Scout alerts you the moment an underpriced car posts on Marketplace, OfferUp or Craigslist near you, and runs the history right in the app.
The basic history report uses NMVTIS data from an approved NMVTIS data provider. NMVTIS records come from states, insurers and salvage yards; not every event is reported to it. Vehicle specs and recalls come from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Wheel Scout is not affiliated with any marketplace or government agency.