What is NMVTIS and how it protects used car buyers

Author: Mariano · Last updated: October 12, 2026

NMVTIS (National Motor Vehicle Title Information System) is run by the U.S. Department of Justice. Its purpose is to curb title fraud, brand “washing”, and the sale of stolen or totaled cars as if they were in good condition.

Who reports data to it

• States, through their titling agencies (DMV or equivalent).
• Insurers, which must report vehicles they declare a total loss or salvage.
• Junk yards, salvage yards and salvage buyers, which report the cars they acquire.

Because it receives data from across the country, NMVTIS helps catch a car that was branded in one state and shows up “clean” in another.

What an NMVTIS report shows

1. Title: the state where it’s titled and the title date.
2. Brands: salvage, junk, flood, rebuilt and others applied by any state.
3. Odometer: the latest reported reading.
4. Total loss: whether an insurer reported it as such.
5. Salvage / junk: whether it went through a junk or salvage yard.

What it does NOT show

• Repairs and maintenance.
• Recalls (for that, check the VIN on NHTSA).
• Accidents that didn’t end in a total loss.
• Theft records (for that, NICB VINCheck).
• Owners’ personal information — NMVTIS doesn’t release it to the public.

Also, the data depends on what each state and company reports, and branding rules vary from state to state.

How to get a report

1. Go to the official NMVTIS site and choose an approved provider.
2. Have the VIN ready.
3. Pay for the report on the provider’s site (usually inexpensive).
4. Pay special attention to brands and total loss history.

When it’s worth it

• Whenever the title comes from another state or changed states recently.
• If the price is suspiciously low.
• If the car comes from an area hit by hurricanes or floods.
• As a cheap complement to a commercial report or a mechanical inspection.

Official sources

• NMVTIS — Information for consumers
• NMVTIS — Frequently asked questions
• NMVTIS — Approved data providers