Texas VIN Check & Vehicle History
Decode any 17-digit VIN and uncover the title brand, salvage history, recalls and market value before you buy a used car in Texas.
Free VIN check — no signup requiredV Reviewed by the Vincheck.me Editorial Team · 5 min read · Updated Jun 10, 2026
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Why run a Texas VIN check
Texas is the second-most populous state with over 31.2 million residents and hosts the second-largest vehicle fleet in the nation — 23.5 million registered vehicles as of 2023 (FHWA MV-1). The state's size and volume translate directly into outsized road-risk figures: 4,291 people died in traffic crashes in 2023 (NHTSA FARS), and approximately 560,000 reportable crashes occurred that same year (TxDOT CRIS). Vehicle theft is an acute concern: Texas recorded 115,013 stolen vehicles in 2023 — ranking second nationally by volume behind California — at a rate of roughly 377 thefts per 100,000 residents (NICB). Prospective buyers of used vehicles in Texas face real exposure to title fraud, odometer rollback, and undisclosed salvage history. Texas uses a 100%-of-actual-cash-value threshold to trigger a salvage designation (TX Transportation Code § 501.091); a rebuilt salvage vehicle must be inspected and re-titled with a permanent 'Rebuilt Salvage' brand before returning to the road.
Texas driving & vehicle-theft data
What a Texas VIN report shows
Title brand (clean, salvage, rebuilt)
Reported accidents & damage
Odometer / mileage history
Liens & loan records
Theft & recovery records
Open NHTSA safety recalls
Salvage & flood history
Sales & ownership timeline
Full factory specifications
Estimated market value
Texas title brands & salvage rules
Across the U.S., a vehicle’s title can carry one of several brands. Always confirm the current brand before buying:
- Clean
- Salvage
- Rebuilt / Reconstructed
- Flood / Water Damage
- Manufacturer Buyback (Lemon)
- Junk / Non-Repairable
- Odometer Discrepancy
Texas total-loss / salvage rule: Under Texas Transportation Code § 501.091, a vehicle is a 'salvage vehicle' when the cost of repairs (parts and labor) to restore it exceeds 100% of the vehicle's actual cash value immediately before the damage. Note: Texas previously used a 75–94% threshold (1996–1997) and then 100% effective 2003. The current statutory threshold is strictly over 100% of pre-damage actual cash value. Hail-only damage is explicitly excluded from the salvage definition. A rebuilt salvage vehicle must be inspected and re-titled with a 'Rebuilt Salvage' brand before it may be registered. Source: statutes.capitol.texas.gov
Texas issues the following primary title brands under Transportation Code Chapter 501: Salvage (vehicle damaged beyond 100% of actual cash value — cannot be driven or registered until rebuilt); Rebuilt Salvage (former salvage vehicle that has been reconstructed, inspected, and approved by TxDMV — may be registered and driven); Nonrepairable (vehicle fit only for parts or scrap — can never be re-titled for road use); Flood/Water Damage; Manufacturer Buyback (Lemon Law repurchase); and Hail/Storm Damage. All Texas title brands are permanent and cannot be removed. A salvage title can progress to a 'Rebuilt Salvage' title but the prior salvage history remains disclosed for the life of the vehicle.
Texas vehicle rules at a glance
| Emissions / smog test | Effective January 1, 2025, Texas eliminated the mandatory annual vehicle safety inspection for non-commercial passenger vehicles statewide (HB 3297, 88th Legislature, signed by Governor Abbott 2023). All non-commercial vehicles now pay a $7.50 inspection program replacement fee at registration instead. Emissions testing remains mandatory for non-commercial vehicles registered in 17 designated counties: Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Montgomery (Houston area); Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant (DFW area); Travis, Williamson (Austin area); and El Paso. Bexar County (San Antonio) will be added in 2026. Vehicles exempt from emissions testing include motorcycles, diesel-powered vehicles, vehicles of the current or preceding model year, electric vehicles, and vehicles more than 24 model years old. Commercial vehicles in all counties still require a safety inspection. Source: dps.texas.gov |
|---|---|
| Vehicle sales tax | 6.25% — Texas state motor vehicle sales and use tax is 6.25% of the sales price (minus any trade-in allowance). For private-party used vehicle sales, tax is assessed on the greater of the actual purchase price or the Standard Presumptive Value (SPV). New residents bringing a vehicle from another state pay a flat $90 use tax in lieu of the 6.25% rate. Source: comptroller.texas.gov |
| Lemon-law deadline | A Texas Lemon Law complaint must be filed with TxDMV's Motor Vehicle Division within six months following whichever occurs first: (1) expiration of the manufacturer's express warranty term; (2) 24 months after the original delivery date of the vehicle; or (3) 24,000 miles after the original delivery date. Defects must have been reported and repair attempts made within the first 24 months/24,000 miles of delivery. The law covers new motor vehicles (cars, trucks, motorcycles, motorhomes, ATVs, and towable recreational vehicles). Filing fee is $35 (refunded if vehicle is found to be a lemon). Administered by TxDMV (Occupations Code Chapter 2301.601 et seq.; 43 TAC § 8.202). Source: ftp.dot.state.tx.us |
| Odometer disclosure | Texas follows federal odometer disclosure requirements under 49 CFR Part 580 (Federal Odometer Act). Effective January 1, 2021, odometer disclosure is required for the first 20 years of a vehicle's life beginning with Model Year 2011 vehicles (i.e., a 2011 model year vehicle requires disclosure until 2031). Model Year 2010 and older vehicles remain subject to the prior 10-year exemption rule and are generally exempt. Disclosure is made on the title or a secure power of attorney form at the time of title transfer. Falsifying odometer readings is a federal crime. Source: nhtsa.gov |
How to check a VIN in Texas
- Decode the VIN for free. Enter the 17-digit VIN above to instantly decode the make, model, year, engine and factory equipment from the NHTSA database.
- Review the title & history. Check the title brand, odometer reading, recalls and any salvage or flood records flagged on the report.
- Verify with Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Texas Department of Motor Vehicles keeps the official Texas title record, and a physical VIN verification on form VTR-270 (Vehicle Identification Number Certification) — used by owners to self-certify a VIN in lieu of a Vehicle Inspection Report when the vehicle is exempt from Texas safety inspection, is located out of state, will be titled but not registered, or is ineligible for registration. For standard title/registration, VIN verification is accomplished via a passing Texas state safety inspection (Vehicle Inspection Report signed by the inspector). For vehicles needing a VIN assigned or reassigned, Form VTR-68-A (Law Enforcement ID Number Inspection) is required. is required for out-of-state or rebuilt vehicles. See txdmv.gov.
- Cross-check NMVTIS. The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System aggregates title, brand and total-loss data from TxDMV and every other state.
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VIN check in other states
Texas VIN check — frequently asked questions
Which agency handles vehicle titles and VIN verification in Texas?
The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) administers vehicle titles and registration statewide. Title applications are filed through county tax assessor-collector offices, which act as agents of TxDMV. You can reach TxDMV toll-free at 1-888-368-4689 or visit txdmv.gov.
Is a car with a rebuilt/salvage title legal to drive and register in Texas?
A vehicle with a current salvage title cannot be driven on public roads or registered in Texas. Once a salvage vehicle has been fully repaired, inspected by TxDMV, and re-titled with the permanent 'Rebuilt Salvage' brand under Texas Transportation Code § 501.091, it may then be registered and driven. The 'Rebuilt Salvage' designation stays on the title permanently and cannot be removed.
How do I get a VIN verification done in Texas?
For most standard title and registration applications, VIN verification is accomplished by obtaining a passing Texas state vehicle safety inspection — the signed Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) from the inspector serves as proof of VIN verification. If your vehicle is exempt from safety inspection (e.g., it is located out of state, is exempt under state law, or will be titled but not driven on public roads), you may self-certify the VIN using Form VTR-270 (Vehicle Identification Number Certification), available at txdmv.gov. For vehicles requiring an assigned or reassigned VIN (e.g., homemade or assembled vehicles, or vehicles with an altered VIN), a law enforcement inspection on Form VTR-68-A is required. Source: TxDMV RTB #002-16 (August 2016), https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/TXDMV/2016/08/04/file_attachments/598730/RTB+%2523002-16+New+Form+VTR-270+and+VIN+Verification+Requirements.pdf
Does Texas require an emissions/smog test?
As of January 1, 2025, Texas no longer requires an annual vehicle safety inspection for non-commercial passenger vehicles (HB 3297). However, emissions testing still applies to vehicles registered in 17 designated counties: Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Montgomery (Houston), Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant (DFW), Travis, Williamson (Austin), and El Paso. Bexar County (San Antonio) will be added in 2026. Motorcycles, diesel vehicles, electric vehicles, vehicles newer than two model years, and vehicles older than 24 model years are exempt. All non-commercial vehicles pay a $7.50 inspection program replacement fee at registration. Source: Texas DPS, https://www.dps.texas.gov/news/vehicle-safety-inspection-changes-take-effect-january-2025
How much is vehicle sales tax in Texas?
Texas charges a 6.25% motor vehicle sales and use tax on the sales price (minus any trade-in allowance). For private-party used vehicle purchases, tax is assessed on the greater of the actual purchase price or the Standard Presumptive Value (SPV) established by TxDMV. New Texas residents bringing a vehicle from another state pay a flat $90 new resident use tax. Source: Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/motor-vehicle/sales-use.php
What does Texas's lemon law cover and what's the deadline?
The Texas Lemon Law (Occupations Code Chapter 2301.601 et seq., administered by TxDMV) covers new motor vehicles — including cars, trucks, motorcycles, motorhomes, and towable recreational vehicles — that have a defect substantially impairing use, value, or safety that cannot be corrected after a reasonable number of repair attempts. To qualify, defects must arise and repair attempts must occur within the first 24 months or 24,000 miles of delivery. A formal complaint must be filed with TxDMV within six months of whichever comes first: warranty expiration, 24 months after delivery, or 24,000 miles after delivery. The filing fee is $35 (refunded if you prevail). Source: TxDMV Lemon Law publication, https://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/library/pubs/bus/dealer/section11.pdf
What is Texas's salvage vehicle threshold?
Under Texas Transportation Code § 501.091, a motor vehicle becomes a 'salvage vehicle' when the cost of repairs (parts and labor) exceeds 100% of the vehicle's actual cash value immediately before the damage. Hail-only damage is explicitly excluded from the salvage definition. An insurance company or owner must apply for a salvage title within 10–20 days of the vehicle being declared salvage. A salvage vehicle may not be driven or registered until it is repaired, inspected, and re-titled with a permanent 'Rebuilt Salvage' brand by TxDMV. Source: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/GetStatute.aspx?Code=TN&Value=501
How does Texas handle odometer disclosure on title transfers?
Texas follows federal odometer disclosure requirements under 49 CFR Part 580 (Federal Odometer Act). Starting January 1, 2021, odometer disclosure is required for every title transfer for the first 20 years of a vehicle's life, beginning with Model Year 2011 vehicles. Vehicles of Model Year 2010 and older are generally exempt under the prior 10-year rule. Disclosure is made on the certificate of title or a secure power of attorney at the time of transfer. Falsifying odometer information is a federal crime. Source: NHTSA, https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/consumer-alert-changes-odometer-disclosure-requirements
Run a free Texas VIN check
Vincheck.me provides free VIN decoding and vehicle-history information for Texas (TxDMV) and all 50 states. Data is compiled from public sources including NHTSA, the U.S. Census Bureau, FHWA, NICB and Texas state statutes. We are an independent service and are not affiliated with, or endorsed by, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles or any government agency.