How Can I Tell If My Car Title Has a Lien?
You're in for a real nightmare if your car title has a lien that you're not aware of. A lien means that a financial institution still owns the vehicle, and the loan from the institution must be paid off before the car is rightfully yours. Confirm that your car is free of any liens in order to avoid potential legal issues, and to have peace of mind.
Check for a Car Lien
Order a vehicle history report from a company such as AutoCheck or CarFax. A vehicle history report will outline your vehicle's entire history, including when it was originally purchased, when and with whom a lien was active, tickets and other vehicle violations, and any reported accidents and claims.
Contact your local department of motor vehicle services to find out if your county or state offers a lien check. If available, the service may be free of charge, or there may be a service fee assessed per search. You will need the vehicle's serial number or vehicle identification number in order to search for active liens.
If you live in the United States, your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office will be able to check and see if your vehicle is free of any active liens.
If you do not have the car title in your possession, are an unable to acquire a copy of the title from your local DMV, your vehicle most likely has an active lien on it, and the financial institution is holding the title. Contact your local DMV to find out who is the lien holder of your vehicle.
Tips
Do not purchase a used vehicle from a private seller or dealership without first verifying that all financial obligations have been taken care of. If the seller or dealership cannot produce a title, request a vehicle history report so that you can independently confirm that there are no active liens.
