Vin check before I dump money into it.

[Syleng1]

Quick question: is there a place I can run the vin on the van in my shop before I try to register it? I have good paperwork on it but worried about theft or issues since it came from “the great state of Georgia.” But is in The communist state of Connecticut.

I know about car fax but not sure about a 1986 vin. I figured there was other sites because I called my local State Police and they cannot help me and calling Motor vehicle is dealing with a typical DMV agent.

Thank you,
Syleng1

 

[Cuda Al]

Your local law enforcement office.


Alan

 

[72bluNblu]

So, it came without a title because Georgia doesn't do that for classics. But if you have paperwork, and it was registered there, well, that's what there is. If you've got the registration then what else do you want? And if you don't have the last registration, well, that was dumb.

You could try one of those subscription services (Carfax, Bumper, etc) , but, more than likely all they're going to tell you is that it was last registered in Georgia which you should already know from the "good" paperwork you have. Most states don't keep DMV registration or even TITLE information for more than 7 years. If it's been continuous then you might be able to get back further than that, but if not all you're going to get is the last registered owner. Which should be who you bought it from.

But I think you're more concerned about whether or not it's on a hot list, right? Well, yeah, the DMV or law enforcement will be the only ones with that info. And either way, if it is hot, it's not gonna get a title in your name after that. Also, even if you found a web service or otherwise that would run the VIN and tell you if it's stolen or has other issues, do you think those services wouldn't send up a flag to law enforcement if someone is using their services to search for stolen vehicles? Because 100% they would. Otherwise they wouldn't stay in business.

So drive it to the DMV and do your VIN inspection appointment to register it.

 

[Demonracer]

Buddy up to one of your local police officers and ask him to run the VIN on the down low.

 

[Mopar44134]

I talked to a high school buddy, police officer 25+ years, about running number on an old pistol I was going to use as a CC weapon. He stated if the weapon is flagged, I would have to turn it in. The system is designed that way. Maybe there is a difference between vehicles and weapons. I wouldn’t think so.

 

[66Valiant528]

Mopar Lou in Moosup CT has a nice 73ish B200 camper van 318 3 on the tree that he is asking like 8k for. Pretty clean and has paperwork. I thought about using it as a tow vehicle and with a longer WB had a sleeper set up ...

 

[Syleng1]

Mopar Lou in Moosup CT has a nice 73ish B200 camper van 318 3 on the tree that he is asking like 8k for. Pretty clean and has paperwork. I thought about using it as a tow vehicle and with a longer WB had a sleeper set up ...

What does not Mopar Lou have? Great guy. I’ve bought some stuff from in the past.

 

[JDMopar]

Since the privacy act, Cops are not able to do VIN checks for their buddies anymore without having to play 20 questions about why they are checking. Before I traveled 200 miles into GA to buy my 65 Barracuda from the crackheads that had it, I had them send me a pic of the VIN tag in the door. I went to our local DMV and the Inspector there was able to run it for me because they have more access and authority than cops on the road. It came back clean with no liens or problems, so I went on and bought it. If I had already taken the car into my possession without checking, prior bad experience would have made me get a licensed Private Investigator to do it for me. There used to be a PI that was a member on Moparts who would do it for $20, but I haven't seen him on there in a few years.

If I were the OP, I would go the route of a Private Investigator at this point. "IF" the vehicle you're getting checked were to be on the hotlist and you go to your DMV Inspector to check, he or she runs the VIN and then turns around to you with 'The look' on their face and says "I need you to tell me EXACTLY where this vehicle is located".....you'd better be able to think fast and respond immediately with a believable story!

 

[tom999w]

Here is a very simple solution: just take the license plates off it and drive past the local state police office three times. They're bound to pull you over, then you'll find out if the car is legit or not.

 

[72bluNblu]

Yeah, I think I'd rather deal with the DMV clerk than statie that thinks I stole a car. Just my opinion.

This whole thing is dumb anyway. If the car is stolen, what's the plan? Part it out? VIN swap? Just adding more problems (and felonies) to your life. Not to mention, if your car was stolen and somehow sold off, wouldn't you want the poor bastard that unintentionally bought a stolen car to do the right damn thing and report it? Even if it meant taking the cost of the car on the chin? Because if that's what you would want if it was your car that was stolen, why the hell are we having this conversation?

 

[Syleng1]

Wow! All I asked for was if a site was available to double check the vin to make sure I’m not dealing with an item that was not the original dudes to begin with. I was working on the van (not registered since like 2006.) And the guy could not pay so I took the van in my possession until he can come back BUT he has yet to reconnect with me. Now I’m trying to figure out how to verify it because the last reg came from Georgia. I have a paper trail directly to me but dmv in CT will not check unless I register it with temporary plates first and start the process. I was not looking to keep the van just prevent putting any more cash into it unless it was clear. Police will not look up my vin because of privacy act as mentioned above. The PI answer so far has been the only answer that kinda makes sense.
Thanks for all the help folks.

 

[Desoto291hemi]

If you’re working on the vehicle you can always get a mechanic lien against it .
At least it works like that in my state .

Be patient and keep checking on it .
It’s probably clean anyway , so you should be good to go .

Tommy