Government-fleet & museum vehicle check

What we can check

• 17-character VIN (most 1981-and-later vehicles): a free NHTSA factory decode, and the full history report from the national title database (NMVTIS): title brands, salvage and total-loss records, theft checks and odometer readings, where reported.
• Free public records: NHTSA safety recalls, owner complaints and 5-Star ratings for the year, make and model, and a match against live GSA Auctions federal surplus listings (by VIN, or by fleet or control number where the listing shows one).
• Older chassis numbers, fleet numbers and display IDs: a free "limited records" result explaining where this vehicle's records are likely to be. These IDs can't be searched in NMVTIS, so we never charge for them.

Things to know about government and display vehicles

• Title history can start late. Vehicles owned by a government agency often weren't titled by a state while in service, so title records may only begin at the surplus sale. A clean report doesn't tell you about the in-service years.
• The SF 97. Ex-federal vehicles are normally sold with an SF 97, the U.S. Government Certificate to Obtain Title to a Vehicle, which a state DMV uses to issue the first title. Keep it with the bill of sale.
• Fleet and maintenance records. The agency that ran the vehicle may hold fleet and maintenance records. For federal agencies you can ask under FOIA; state and local agencies have their own public-records request process.
• Museum and display vehicles. The museum's registrar or collections office holds the accession file, provenance and condition records. Some display vehicles were never titled, so ask whether a title exists before you buy.
• Ex-military vehicles have their own rules and paperwork. Use our military vehicle check.

General information only, not legal advice. Check titling and registration rules with your state DMV before you buy. Vin Facts Check is not affiliated with GSA, any government agency, museum or auction house. The free decode uses NHTSA's public vPIC database and is not a title record.