As an auto mechanic with over 20 years of experience buying and selling used cars, I know first-hand the importance of running a vehicle history report before any used car purchase. After seeing countless people burned by a car with a sketchy past, I always rely on detailed VIN checks to protect my investment.
In this guide, I’ll explain how to find the VIN, decode each character to reveal key details, and use free and paid VIN reports in Mississippi to access comprehensive vehicle history. Armed with a vehicle’s full background, you can shop smarter and avoid buying a potential lemon.
I’ll share where to locate the VIN, what free and paid VIN reports disclose, tips for choosing the best Mississippi VIN check service, and advice to steer clear of used car nightmares. Let’s get started so you can buy your next Mississippi used car with confidence!
What is a VIN?
VIN stands for Vehicle Identification Number. Just like your social security number uniquely identifies you, a VIN uniquely identifies each car. Manufacturers assign every vehicle a VIN at production. This 17-character combination of letters and numbers encodes useful information about that specific automobile.
Since no two VINs can be the same, the VIN serves as the “fingerprint” of any car. It’s the easiest way to find out the full history of a used vehicle.
The VIN reveals key information about a vehicle, including:
- Make, model, and year
- Engine size
- Country and plant of origin
- Trim package
- Safety and emissions features
In Mississippi, you can find the VIN in several locations on the vehicle, including:
- Driver’s side door jamb
- Corner of the dashboard
- Vehicle registration and title
- Insurance documents
Checking the VIN is an essential step for any used vehicle purchase in Mississippi. The VIN lookup provides crucial details on the car and alerts buyers to any issues in the vehicle history.
How To Find The VIN
You can locate the VIN in several places, including:
- On the driver’s side door jamb
- In the lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side
- On the vehicle title and registration paperwork
- Printed on the insurance documents
What a VIN Report Shows
A VIN report provides a thorough vehicle history, including:
- Accident damage
- Mileage inconsistencies
- Title issues
- Ownership records
- Safety recall status
Free vs Paid Reports
You can access limited VIN reports from free services, but for full access to all records, a paid report from services like ours at Mechanic Answer is recommended.
Why Check a Mississippi VIN?
There are several important reasons to conduct a Mississippi VIN check before purchasing a used vehicle:
Verify Vehicle History – A VIN check uncovers hidden details about the vehicle’s past, including accident history, title issues, odometer rollbacks, ownership records, and more. This protects buyers from making a costly mistake.
Avoid Fraud – VIN checks help buyers avoid purchasing stolen or salvaged vehicles by cross-referencing vehicle records across states. This prevents falling victim to fraud.
Track Recalls – Manufacturers issue recalls by VIN. Checking for recalls ensures any safety issues with the vehicle have been addressed.
Confirm Ownership – The VIN lookup provides a full list of previous owners. This helps validate proper ownership transfer.
Check Repairs – Service and repair records associated with the VIN reveal maintenance and any major repairs performed.
How to Conduct a Mississippi VIN Check
Mississippi drivers can perform free VIN lookups using reputable online services or government agencies, including:
Mechanic Answer – We offer a free VIN lookup that provides basic vehicle information, but for a small paid fee you can unlock the full history of any vehicle. With a paid report you receive detailed information on everything about a vehicle.
National Insurance Crime Bureau – The NICB offers a free national database for checking vehicles. Input the VIN to see if the car has been reported stolen or declared salvage. The results are limited.
National Motor Vehicle Title Information System – This service discloses junk, salvage, and insurance total-loss data to prevent fraud. Limited information is given.
Manufacturer Website – Most automaker websites have free VIN lookup tools to decode the VIN and check for recalls. Limited results.
Note: However, free searches may provide limited vehicle history reports. For a much more detailed vehicle lookup by VIN, a small fee may be required to unlock a motor vehicles full history.
Decode a VIN for Key Vehicle Details
The VIN itself actually contains important information about the vehicle when you decode each character.
Here is how to break down a sample VIN to learn key details:
1FTFW1EF3DKD10569
- 1st digit – Country of origin (1 = U.S.)
- 2nd digit – Manufacturer (F = Ford)
- 3rd digit – Vehicle type (T = Truck)
- 4th to 8th digits – Vehicle attributes like model, engine type, trim package
- 9th digit – Check digit used to validate the VIN
- 10th digit – Model year (D = 2013)
- 11th digit – Assembly plant
- 12th to 17th digits – Production sequence number
As you can see, the Ford VIN decoded, contains useful information if you know how to decipher the code. VIN decoders available online can automatically translate the VIN into these key vehicle details.
What Does a VIN Number Check Report Reveal?
A full VIN check provides a thorough vehicle history report containing:
- Title Information – Brands, salvage status, lien holders
- Accident History – Date, location, extent of damage
- Ownership Records – Previous owners and locations
- Mileage Verification – Odometer rollbacks or discrepancies
- Maintenance History – Major repairs and service
- Recall Status – Manufacturer safety recalls and updates
- Registration Details – Renewals, lapses, transfers
- Theft Records – Stolen or recovered status
- Import Records – Gray market import confirmation
- Loss Reports – Insurance total loss declarations
These are all critical details for Mississippi used car buyers to review before purchasing a vehicle. The VIN report provides transparency into the vehicle’s past.
Perform a VIN Search by License Plate
If you only have the license plate number for a used vehicle, you can still perform a VIN lookup in Mississippi. Here’s how:
- Contact the Mississippi DMV to request previous registration records tied to the license plate. This should reveal the VIN.
- Alternatively, use a third party VIN lookup company that offers license plate searches. Input the plate and state to uncover associated VIN numbers.
- Once you obtain the VIN, proceed with a full VIN check from the sources listed above.
While a license plate search requires an extra step, it opens the door to accessing the vehicle history through the VIN. This gives buyers confidence when purchasing a used car in Mississippi.
Why We Are the Best VIN Lookup Service Online
Here at Mechanic Answer, we offer the most comprehensive VIN check reports available online. Our detailed reports compile over 6 billion records from across the country into one easy-to-read format. We provide more information than any free VIN lookup service, giving you total peace of mind.
We understand shopping for a used car involves some uncertainty. With Mechanic Answers you can be confident you are getting the full vehicle history. Our customer support team is available 7 days a week if any questions come up.
While free VIN checks provide basic information, our modestly priced full reports deliver the depth you need to make an informed decision. We offer unlimited VIN searches so you can check as many vehicles as you need.
Take the guesswork out of your next used car purchase with Mechanic Answer. Our VIN check reports equips you with knowledge, puts power back in your hands, and gives you peace of mind during an exciting yet stressful experience. Try out our service today and see why we are the top-rated VIN lookup solution online!
Conclusion
A Mississippi VIN check is a quick and affordable way to protect yourself when buying a used car. While on the surface two vehicles may appear identical, a VIN report can uncover stark differences in their histories. Saving a few hundred dollars upfront is not worth the thousands you could lose on a vehicle with a branded title, accident history or other issues. We recommend conducting a thorough VIN search before buying any used car in Mississippi. Equipped with the vehicle history, you can detect issues early and make an informed decision on any car that matches your needs and budget.
Mississippi VIN Check Frequently Asked Questions
Can you look up a license plate in Mississippi?
Yes, Mississippi residents can look up a license plate number to obtain vehicle registration information. The quickest option is using an online third party license plate lookup service. Alternatively, you can contact the Mississippi Department of Revenue, Office of Motor Vehicle Services. They can provide registration details tied to a license plate including the registered owner, vehicle identification number (VIN), make and model.
How do I find out who owns a car in Mississippi?
To find out who owns a car in Mississippi, you need to get the license plate number or VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). Take either of those details to the Mississippi Department of Revenue, Office of Motor Vehicle Services to request a vehicle registration record search. This search will reveal the current registered owner’s name and address associated with that license plate or VIN. Online third party services also provide license plate lookups that disclose registered vehicle owner information for Mississippi.
How do I find my car title number in Mississippi?
If you have lost or misplaced your Mississippi car title, there are a couple ways to find your title number. Check your vehicle registration card, insurance documents or the physical vehicle for the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). Then contact the Mississippi Department of Revenue, Office of Motor Vehicle Services and provide the VIN to request a title search. This search will retrieve your existing title number. You can also visit their office in-person and present photo ID if needed to obtain your title number.
What is vehicle registration in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, vehicle registration is the process of registering your vehicle with the state government each year. It involves paying a registration renewal fee and taxes to legally operate your vehicle on public roads. You will receive a license plate and a registration card displaying the expiration date. Vehicle registration fees help fund road maintenance and other public services in Mississippi. Keeping your registration up to date ensures you avoid penalties and compliance issues when driving or acquiring auto insurance.
Can you look up a Missouri license plate?
Yes, Missouri license plates can be looked up using online services that provide license plate searches. To perform a search, you simply input the license plate number and Missouri as the state. The report will disclose details associated with that plate such as the registered owner, vehicle year, make and model. This can reveal helpful information about Missouri-registered vehicles you may be interested in purchasing or researching further.
