US
CA
How to use this guide
- Run NMVTIS early in the process, ideally at appraisal or when you desk the deal.
- Review the results and disclose any material brands or issues to the buyer.
- Save the report in your deal jacket or DMS for audit and post sale support.
Who this helps
- Retail dealers and dealer groups
- Wholesalers and auctions
- Shoppers and private party buyers
- Lenders, warranty providers, and insurers
Tip: Save a copy of the report as a PDF and store it with the deal documents.
What NMVTIS is and why it matters
NMVTIS is the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System. It is a federal database that helps prevent title fraud and protects consumers by providing title and brand history, certain insurance and junk or salvage events, and odometer related information. It is not a full service accident or service history report, but it is the baseline record many states and dealers rely on.
Policy landscape at a glance
States with dealer pre-sale mandates
- California – Vehicle Code 11713.26 requires dealers to obtain an NMVTIS vehicle history report before offering a used vehicle for sale.
- Oregon – SB 840 (effective Jan 1, 2026) requires a pre-sale vehicle record search using NMVTIS or a permitted equivalent, disclosure, and retention.
Design your process to meet the strictest model above, then layer in any state specific rules.
Other NMVTIS related laws
Many states have NMVTIS reporting and enforcement rules for recyclers, dismantlers, towing and storage, auctions, or titling workflows. These do not require a dealer to run NMVTIS before a sale but they improve the data available to you.
See the appendix below for examples and citations.
Retail workflow for dealers
- Appraise and intake – Capture VIN or plate and state, run NMVTIS, and attach the file to the vehicle record.
- Review brands and events – Look for salvage, junk, flood, lemon, odometer issues, and similar items.
- Decide on reconditioning and price – Use findings to set expectations and to plan repairs.
- Disclose to the buyer – Share a copy and highlight material brands and issues in plain language.
- Contracting – Include a receipt or a page that confirms the buyer saw the NMVTIS data.
- Record retention – Keep the report with the deal jacket or DMS record for your retention period.
- After sale support – Be ready to reference the report if questions arise.
Consumer checklist
- Get an NMVTIS based report for the exact VIN and compare it to the vehicle tag and dash plate.
- Ask the seller to explain any brands or prior events in writing.
- Arrange a third party inspection, especially if the report shows prior damage or salvage history.
- Check for open recalls and recent service or emissions results where available.
- Keep your copy of the report with purchase documents.
Timing and retention at a glance
| Trigger | Typical timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Advertising or offering a used vehicle | Before the offer when possible | Running early avoids rework and supports accurate disclosures. |
| Finalizing a retail sale | Before contracting and delivery | Disclose material brands and events and provide a copy. |
| Record keeping | Keep with the deal jacket | Follow your retention policy and any state specific guidance. |
Some states add timing or reporting rules for recyclers, towing and storage, auctions, or titling. See the appendix.
What an NMVTIS based report may include
- Title history and current title state
- Title brands such as salvage, junk, flood, rebuilt, and lemon
- Insurance total loss and junk or salvage events reported by contributors
- Odometer readings reported through state and industry sources
- Basic vehicle identifiers and specifications
NMVTIS is not a complete accident, repair, or maintenance history. Use inspections and other records to fill the gaps.
Simple disclosure language you can adapt
Permissible use and privacy
Use NMVTIS data for lawful purposes such as fraud prevention, disclosure to a buyer, due diligence, and inventory control. Follow privacy and data handling policies in your organization and any rules set by your state and by your data providers.
Appendix: Selected NMVTIS related state laws
Examples below summarize laws you provided. They support NMVTIS data quality and enforcement. Verify current text before relying on them.
| State | Laws | Summary | Typical timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 32-8-6(f); 32-8-84(d)(1); 32-8-87(s)(2); 32-13-3(c) | NMVTIS ID needed in certain no-title processing. Maintain unclaimed vehicle NMVTIS records 3 years. | Record retention; unclaimed and abandoned contexts. |
| Arizona | Ch. 7 Art. 3 28-2098 | Recycler or scrap dealer obtains seller statement with NMVTIS ID, verifies not stolen, reports purchases; penalties for late reporting. | Within 48 hours for purchase lists. |
| California | Vehicle Code 11713.26 | Dealer must obtain an NMVTIS vehicle history report before offering a used vehicle for sale. | Pre-offer. |
| Delaware | Title 21 2512 | Scrap processors upload VIN to NMVTIS by end of next business day; stolen clearance and record access for law enforcement. | Next business day. |
| Florida | 319.141; 319.30; 713.585; 713.78 | Rebuilt inspections verify NMVTIS reporting; salvage, towing, and mechanic lien processes reference NMVTIS checks and notices. | Varies by process stage. |
| Georgia | 40-3-36(3) | NMVTIS reporting with record retention and penalties in salvage or recycle contexts. | 48 hours. |
| Illinois | 625 ILCS 5/3-104; 625 ILCS 5/5-301 | Each title application verified through NMVTIS; recyclers and rebuilders must have NMVTIS ID; export registration rules. | At titling and ongoing for licensees. |
| Indiana | IC 9-32-9-3.5; IC 9-22-1-19; IC 24-14-6-1 | Salvage recycler reporting to NMVTIS; towing and storage NMVTIS search after tow. | 72 hours for recycler; within 3 days for tow or storage. |
| Iowa | 321H.4; 321H.4A; 321H.8; 321.74 | Recycler license ties to NMVTIS registration; report within two days; law enforcement inspection; titling stop if NMVTIS shows stolen. | Within 2 days for recycler reporting. |
| Maine | Title 29-A Ch. 9 Subch. 6; 1110 | Recycler record keeping aligned with federal Anti-Car Theft Act; proof of NMVTIS registration required; penalties apply. | Ongoing compliance. |
| Minnesota | 168A.1501 subd. 6 | Unlicensed scrap operators or those buying scrap without proof of ownership must report purchase to NMVTIS. | By close of business next day. |
| Mississippi | 63-21-39 | Requires reporting vehicles to NMVTIS with registration number; purchase lists include NMVTIS registration; penalties for nonreporting. | Ongoing reporting. |
| Nebraska | Ch. 30-169 | Wrecker or salvage dealer reports to DMV via NMVTIS. | Ongoing reporting. |
| New Hampshire | Title XXI 261:22 | First crush, shred, bale, or shear facilities submit to NMVTIS and Department of Safety. | Within 30 days. |
| North Carolina | 20-62.1 | Secondary metals recyclers and salvage yards report purchases to NMVTIS; third party consolidator option; penalties provided. | Within 72 hours of close of business. |
| Ohio | Title 47 4738.0222 | Salvage auctions and pools comply with NMVTIS; dismantlers, recyclers, and scrap processors report purchases. | Within 24 hours. |
| Oregon | SB 840; 822.115 | Dealer pre-sale vehicle record search, disclosure, and retention (SB 840). Dismantler certificate application must include NMVTIS ID. | Pre-sale for dealers; ongoing for dismantlers. |
| South Carolina | 56-5-5670; 56-5-5945 | Demolisher and metal recycler disposal rules with NMVTIS reporting; third party consolidator allowed. | By end of day of transaction. |
| Tennessee | 55-3-203 | Dismantlers, recyclers, and scrap processors licensed; NMVTIS reporting; fines for failure; verify vehicle not stolen. | Within 24 hours. |
| Texas | 501-09113; 2303.1521 | Carry over out-of-state salvage brands; storage facilities check NMVTIS when state of registration is unknown. | At titling or when storage rules trigger. |
| Utah | 41-3-202 | Motor vehicle auction operators must comply with NMVTIS reporting requirements. | Ongoing compliance. |
| Virginia | 46.2-1603.1; 46.2-1603.2; 46.2-1606 | Salvage dealer NMVTIS compliance; brand handling including nonrepairable; title issuance rules tied to NMVTIS and out-of-state titles. | Branding and title issuance; ongoing for licensees. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which states require a dealer to run NMVTIS before a sale
California requires an NMVTIS vehicle history report before offering a used vehicle for sale. Oregon requires a pre-sale vehicle record search using NMVTIS or a permitted equivalent starting Jan 1, 2026. Other state laws generally focus on recyclers, dismantlers, towing and storage, auctions, or titling, and do not impose a dealer pre-sale check.
Is NMVTIS required for every used vehicle sale
Even where not required, running NMVTIS is a best practice that reduces risk and supports accurate disclosures.
What if the VIN is not available
You can start with a license plate and state to retrieve the VIN, then run the NMVTIS based report.
Does NMVTIS show all accidents
No. NMVTIS focuses on title and brand information and certain junk or salvage and insurance total loss events. Use additional sources and inspections for accident details.
How long should I keep the report
Keep it with the deal documents for your normal retention period or as required by your state or company policy.
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