Key takeaways
- A title brand applied in one state can be washed away by retitling in another.
- NMVTIS is the federal system that catches brands across state lines.
- Always compare the report title status against the physical title.
Step by step
- 1
Get the VIN
Take the 17-character VIN from the car and confirm it matches the title in hand.
- 2
Run the history report
Check the title section for salvage, rebuilt, junk, or flood brands in any state.
- 3
Understand NMVTIS coverage
The federal NMVTIS database aggregates state title data, which is how a hidden out-of-state brand surfaces.
- 4
Compare to the physical title
If the paper title says clean but the report shows a brand elsewhere, you have caught title washing.
Check the VIN before you buy
Title brands, theft records, liens, and odometer history in under a minute.
Check a VIN nowFrequently asked questions
What is title washing?
Moving a car across state lines and retitling it to drop a brand from the paperwork. A multi-state check via NMVTIS is what exposes it.
Is a clean title a guarantee?
No. It means no brand is currently on that state paperwork. A full history report checks whether a brand exists anywhere else.