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What Is Oregon SB840 and How Can Dealers Comply?
A Dealer’s Guide to SB840 Compliance with VinAudit NMVTIS Reports
Oregon SB840, passed in 2025, requires licensed dealers to run an official NMVTIS vehicle history report before completing any retail sale of a used car, beginning January 1, 2026. This guide explains what SB840 means for your dealership — from DMV oversight to recordkeeping rules — and highlights the easiest way to comply.
With VinAudit’s NMVTIS-approved vehicle history reports, dealers can integrate title checks into everyday workflows, ensure full compliance, and give customers greater peace of mind.
Oregon SB840, passed in 2025, requires licensed dealers to run an official NMVTIS vehicle history report before completing any retail sale of a used car, beginning January 1, 2026. This guide explains what SB840 means for your dealership — from DMV oversight to recordkeeping rules — and highlights the easiest way to comply.
With VinAudit’s NMVTIS-approved vehicle history reports, dealers can integrate title checks into everyday workflows, ensure full compliance, and give customers greater peace of mind.
Understanding the NMVTIS:
What It Is and Why It’s Important
The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) is the only federally authorized database for vehicle title history in the U.S. Managed by the Department of Justice and operated by AAMVA, it protects buyers and businesses from title fraud and unsafe vehicles by pulling data from:
- State DMVs – title issuances and updates
- Insurance carriers – reporting total-loss vehicles
- Junk & salvage yards – reporting vehicles sent for dismantling or recycling
Each NMVTIS report includes title brands (salvage, flood, rebuilt), odometer readings, theft records, and other critical title events. For dealers, it is the baseline tool for verifying a vehicle’s legitimacy. Under Oregon SB840, every retail used-vehicle sale must include an NMVTIS report to remain compliant. View a Sample NMVTIS Report →
Oregon’s Used Car Market & DMV Oversight
Oregon’s vehicle market is powered largely by used-car sales, with thousands of transactions occurring every month. To safeguard buyers and create a level playing field for dealerships, the state has enacted SB840 (2025) which takes effect in 2026. This law requires licensed dealers to run an NMVTIS report — or an approved equivalent system — before finalizing any retail sale of a used or secondhand vehicle.
The Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division (DMV), part of the Department of Transportation (ODOT), regulates more than 2,700 licensed dealers statewide. Under SB840, the DMV
is responsible for:
- Auditing dealer records to confirm NMVTIS reports are obtained before retail sales
- Ensuring required reports are kept on file with each transaction (ORS 822.045)
- Providing bulletins, rule updates, and dealer training to guide compliance
- Imposing penalties
While Oregon already required NMVTIS use during title issuance, SB840 expands compliance to the
point of sale. This ensures every used-vehicle buyer receives transparent title history information
and strengthens the DMV’s role in preventing fraud, odometer rollbacks, and title washing.
SB840 at a Glance
- Effective date: January 1, 2026
- Who it applies to1: Oregon-licensed dealers selling used vehicles at retail.
- Core requirement: Run & review an NMVTIS report or an equivalent report2 before finalizing the sale.
- Disclosure: Inform buyers of any title brands or irregularities (salvage, junk, flood, odometer issues)
- Recordkeeping: Keep a copy of the report in the deal file for compliance
- Exemptions3: Private-party sales, dealer-to-dealer wholesale, new vehicles without NMVTIS records, or sales with already branded titles
- Enforcement agency: Oregon DMV (Business Regulation Section) oversees compliance through dealer audits and inspections
- Penalties4: DMV audits, fines, possible Class A misdemeanor, and license suspension for repeat violations
Sources:
Oregon SB840 (PDF) •
Oregon DMV
Meeting NMVTIS Requirements with
VinAudit Vehicle History Reports
Here’s how NMVTIS requirements compare to what VinAudit provides to help dealers comply and go beyond:
| NMVTIS Requires | VinAudit Provides |
|---|---|
| Title history check before completing a used-vehicle sale |
✅
Instant NMVTIS reports online, via bulk access, or API — easy to integrate into your sales process |
| Disclosure of branded titles (salvage, junk, flood) |
✅
Clear branding flags in every report, plus extra details on theft, accidents, and odometer |
| Retention of NMVTIS report as proof of compliance |
✅
Downloadable, storable PDF reports to keep with deal paperwork for audits and compliance |
| Participation in national anti-fraud and safety program |
✅
Affordable access plus integration with trusted government and automotive industry data sources |
Be SB840-Compliant Before 2026
Don’t wait until the law goes into effect. Oregon’s SB840 is coming—and compliance isn’t optional. VinAudit helps dealerships turn regulatory requirements into a competitive edge with NMVTIS-approved vehicle history reports. Whether you’re a small lot or a high-volume operation, we’ve got a delivery method that fits your workflow.
Choose Your Compliance Path
Run NMVTIS checks instantly, download PDF reports, and stay audit-ready—no tech setup required. Perfect for small to mid-sized dealers.
Submit VINs in batches and receive downloadable reports—ideal for high-volume dealers and associations.
Seamlessly integrate NMVTIS checks into your DMS or internal systems for automated, real-time compliance.
Get Ahead of SB840 — Start Today
SB840 enforcement is around the corner. VinAudit gives you the tools to stay ahead, protect your customers, and build trust. Choose your delivery method and start integrating NMVTIS reports into your sales process now.
SB840: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does SB840 apply to all Oregon dealers and vehicle types?
SB840 applies to licensed Oregon motor vehicle dealers conducting retail sales of used, secondhand, or pre-owned titled vehicles (sedans, pickup trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, campers, etc.). The law does not apply to private sellers or wholesale-only dealer transactions.
Brand-new vehicles without any prior title record are generally exempt, since they do not yet appear in NMVTIS. However, if a vehicle marketed as “new” has in fact been previously titled (and therefore has an NMVTIS record), the check must be performed before sale.
What counts as an “approved equivalent” to NMVTIS?
SB840 permits dealers to use an “equivalent commercially available system” instead of a direct NMVTIS lookup, if it provides the same title data, update frequency, and reliability as NMVTIS — subject to Oregon DMV rules. Dealers must ensure any system meets these standards.
Note: VinAudit is not an “equivalent system” but an NMVTIS-approved provider, offering official NMVTIS title data plus supplemental history from trusted government and industry sources.
Are there any sales or vehicles that are exempted from or not covered by SB840?
SB840 exempts several situations from the NMVTIS check requirement. Private-party sales aren’t covered since the law targets licensed dealers. Dealer-to-dealer wholesale transactions are also excluded because they don’t involve direct sales to consumers. Brand-new vehicles with no NMVTIS record don’t fall under the rule, unless they were previously titled. Finally, vehicles already issued a branded title (like salvage or rebuilt) are exempt, since the disclosure has already been made.
This way the law applies mainly to licensed dealers selling used, clean-title vehicles to the public.
How does the DMV verify that a dealer complies with SB840? DMV’s Business Regulation Section conducts regular audits and inspections of dealer records. They look for a copy of the NMVTIS (or equivalent) report in the deal jacket of each used-car retail sale. Missing reports or lack of disclosure can trigger penalties.
What are the penalties for non-compliance with SB840?
Failure to comply is classified as a Class A misdemeanor in Oregon, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and/or fines of up to $6,250. In addition, the Oregon DMV may issue civil fines of up to $1,000 per violation, suspend or revoke a dealer’s license for due cause, and treat unpaid penalties as grounds for revocation.
Are private-party or dealer-to-dealer sales covered? No. SB840 focuses on retail sales to consumers by licensed dealers. Private-party transactions and wholesale dealer-to-dealer transfers are not subject to the requirement. These types of sales fall outside the scope of consumer protection targeted by the bill.
What should dealers keep on file for audits? A copy (digital or paper) of the NMVTIS—or equivalent—report for each applicable retail used-vehicle sale, along with normal deal documents. This documentation helps demonstrate compliance during DMV inspections or licensing reviews.
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