The job does not end with you choosing the car you want to buy. If the car you are considering is second-hand or preowned, you need to take extra measures to ensure that you will not be a victim of car fraud. Unfortunately, car fraud is rampant in Connecticut. In 2020 alone, 318.9 car fraud incidents were reported per million Connecticut residents! These numbers should ring alarm bells and make you more careful when buying a car.
One of the best ways to make sure that your car buying goes to plan is to do a license plate check. A License Plate Lookup in Connecticut will give you all the essential information about the car's history that might affect your purchasing decision. You can do this by simply using a free license plate check service online. Performing this will protect you from fraudulent sellers while allowing you to choose only the best second-hand cars.
Where to Find My Connecticut License Plate Number
The easiest way to identify your Connecticut plate number is to check the license plate attached both at the front and back of your car. In cases where you do not have physical access to your car, you can check the plate number in the certificate of title issued by the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
How to Get a License Plate in Connecticut
Connecticut residents must immediately process their vehicle registration at the DMV. When you move to Connecticut, you only have 60 days to register your vehicle. Registration stickers are not required in the state since August 1st, 2010. However, two license plates are a must.
To register your vehicle, you need to make an online appointment with the DMV and bring all the required documents. All the relevant information is available at the DMV's website.
Types of Connecticut License Plates
There are a few types of license plates you can apply for.
Standard: These plates have a light-blue-to-white gradient and a silhouette of the state in the top left corner. You can have up to 7 characters customized in dark blue for a small sum. Personalized vanity plates are also available, though you must obtain approval from the DMV beforehand. These vanity plates may cost more than $70.
Classic: For vehicles at least 20 years old, you can apply for a classic license plate. It comes with a simple white background, navy lettering, and a silhouette of the state in the top left corner. A randomized plate will cost $47 for a two-year duration, while a custom vanity plate can go for upwards of $90 or more.
Special: Special interest plates come in various designs, with over 50 entries to choose from. They range from animals to cities and towns in the state and even organization-specific plates.
Why Should I Get the License Plate Report?
In a time where information is already available in just a few clicks, there is no such thing as being too anxious or overprotective with your information. Your license plate number is out in the open, which makes it very vulnerable to identity-theft hazards and scams. More than that, some sellers also try to trick buyers into thinking that the cars are in working condition - when, in actuality, that's hardly the case!
Getting the license plate report is a preventive measure to help you fight these problematic situations. Thankfully, you no longer have to endure long hours of waiting just to acquire the report. You only need to provide basic information about the license plate, click enter, and then wait for the data to come through - all of these in just a matter of seconds!
What Information is in the License Plate Report?
Through our Connecticut license plate lookup service, you will know details more than just the model and color of the car. Other information includes:
Salvage and Junk Title Report: A salvage title car indicates that the vehicle has been damaged and is already considered a loss by the insurance company that paid the damaged vehicle's claim. It could be that the car you are considering buying has endured collision, fire, or flooding damage.
On the other hand, a junk title car means that the car cannot be registered for road use again. It could be that the car has received extensive damage before, and the insurance company has concluded that there's no way to rebuild it. These will help give you a heads up on the car you are planning to buy. This will also serve as awareness of the potential maintenance and repair costs that you will incur if you decide to continue with the purchase.
Vehicle's Owner History: With the way license plate numbers are being systematized, there is no way for you to be left in the dark regarding the vehicle's history. With just a few clicks, you will be able to trace the vehicle's roots and find out where it came from. You will also be able to identify how many times it has been bought.
Detailed Usage and Service History: The report will also detail the vehicle's current state, including how far it has traveled. The latest odometer reading proclaimed before it arrived at the dealership will be visible to you. Through this, you will find out if the seller is attempting to commit odometer fraud.
Accident Reports: In Connecticut, all car accidents are required to be reported to the police, no matter how minor the damage is. The data will then be available to the public for the benefit of concerned parties. Though there is a chance that others will not report minor accidents, it is still a good idea for you to trace the collision history. That way, you can make an informed decision on the pre-owned car you want to buy.
Current Market Price: Price plays an important factor in your purchasing decision. Running a license plate lookup does not only revolve around the vehicle's history, but also confirm its actual market pricing.
Knowing the current market price of the car will help you be aware of whether you are paying the right price for it. Other sellers might try to deceive you by setting higher prices. You're in a better position to protect yourself as a knowledgeable buyer.
Lien Records: A lien is a notice attached to a property, indicating it has been bought through a loan. If you buy a second-hand car with a lien on it, you are obliged to pay the balance in full, even if you did not know about it beforehand - not the kind of surprise you'd want to find waiting!
Fortunately, you can avoid the stress (and challenges) of it by simply conducting a license plate lookup.
Where Does the Data Come From?
Our reports come from multiple reliable sources. Most of these sources are coming from governmental entities; namely the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS). We also check car auction inventories from time to time to track a vehicle’s condition.
Is a Reverse License Plate Search Legal?
Before you get into a panic, relax! We're strictly complying with the Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA). We do not disclose any personal information of the vehicle's current or previous owners. Our license plate lookup only does a reverse lookup to obtain the VIN number and query the vehicle's history reports.
Also, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) gives anyone the permission to access information collected by the government. So rest assured that we are in compliance to the law. Our service is totally legal and free!
How to Prevent Car Fraud
Despite the fact that car shops and VIN checks provide tons of helpful information, they're not going to protect you at all unless you make informed decisions. Study your legal rights and use them once you get the chance. Do more research, if possible, to better protect yourself.
If you discover that a vehicle has been recalled, you should contact the dealer. If you find out that your car has been stolen, immediately report the theft to the authorities.
The best way to prevent any car fraud is to check the plates using a license plate checkup site, as it would reveal if there is anything wrong with the car or its title. VinFreeCheck can help you protect yourself from being a part of the statistics.