Why Check for Stolen Vehicles?

If you unknowingly buy a stolen car, law enforcement will seize it — and you lose both the vehicle and the money you paid. No insurance policy covers this loss. Approximately 750,000 vehicles are stolen annually in the United States, and many end up resold to unsuspecting buyers.

Free Ways to Check

NICB VINCheck

The National Insurance Crime Bureau offers a free online tool at nicb.org that checks if a vehicle has been reported stolen or as a salvage vehicle. You get 5 free searches per day.

Local Police Department

You can ask your local police to run the VIN through the NCIC (National Crime Information Center) database. This is the most authoritative stolen vehicle database in the country.

VinNode Report

A VinNode $20 report includes a comprehensive theft check that covers both NICB data and additional insurance records. It also checks for title brands like "stolen/recovered" which indicate a vehicle was previously stolen.

Red Flags of a Stolen Vehicle

• Seller does not have the title in hand
• Price significantly below market value
• VIN plate looks tampered with or re-attached
• Seller wants cash only and no paperwork
• Ignition area shows signs of tampering
• Seller is evasive about the vehicle's history