Colorado VIN Lookup

There are approximately 6.86 used car dealers for every 100,000 Colorado residents (roughly translating to about 400 licensed used car dealers across the state). These dealers offer a wide range of vehicles at an average cost of $24,684 – roughly half the cost of a new vehicle – making them an appealing option for many buyers. However, considering that Colorado does not have a lemon law for used cars, buyers must be extra cautious to avoid purchasing faulty, and potentially unsafe vehicles.

With the responsibility of verifying a car’s condition largely falling on buyers, it is highly recommended that you conduct a VIN lookup before finalizing a used car purchase to verify its history and condition. With a VIN lookup, you can access essential details like the car’s title status, accident records, recall information, inspection history, outstanding liens, and any other information crucial in ensuring that you make an informed purchase and avoid problematic vehicles and/or potential scams.

Why Performing a Colorado VIN Check Is Important

Every vehicle is assigned a unique code during manufacturing, known as its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) – this code is typically 17 digits but may be less for pre-1981 vehicles. A vehicle’s VIN serves as its fingerprint and is typically used to access critical details about its features, history, and condition through a VIN check. Conducting these VIN checks before purchasing a used car in Colorado is important for several reasons:

• Title Brands: VIN checks are commonly used to verify the authenticity of a vehicle’s title and determine if it is “clean” or has been previously branded as "salvage," "rebuilt from salvage," "flood-damaged," "non-repairable," or other similar designations. This information is crucial in assessing the car’s reliability, safety, and overall value.
• Registration and Title Verification: A VIN check can be used to confirm whether a used car has been properly titled and registered per the Colorado Uniform Motor Vehicle Law and if the person selling the car owns its title (and thus has the right to sell the vehicle). Note that, per state law, driving an untitled or unregistered vehicle can result in several penalties, including fines of up to $300 and jail time of up to 10 days.
• Odometer Verification: The NHTSA estimates that more than 450,000 vehicles with deliberately altered odometer readings are sold across the country every year. Odometers are typically tampered with to make a car seem less used than it really is and inflate its value. However, with a VIN check, you can verify a car’s actual odometer reading and avoid paying more for a car than it is worth.
• Theft Checks: Recent data published by the National Insurance Crime Bureau indicates that Colorado has a vehicle theft rate of 583.25 per 100,000 people, the second highest in the country. A VIN lookup helps determine if a car has been reported stolen or involved in any theft-related incidents and is essential in ensuring that buyers avoid purchasing stolen vehicles, and the legal and financial associations typically associated with this.
• Auto Fraud Prevention: Issues involving automobile sales are the third-most reported complaints made by Colorado residents. You can avoid issues with your used car purchase by running a VIN check to uncover any inconsistencies in the vehicle’s reported history and condition.

How To Perform a Colorado VIN Check

Several government agencies offer resources for conducting VIN checks in Colorado:

The NHTSA VIN Decoder:

The VIN Decoder from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is a free tool for accessing safety-related vehicle data such as manufacturing details, engine specs, crash test results, and recall notices. It works with both full and partial VINs.

NICB VINCheck:

The VINCheck Lookup tool from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) checks if a vehicle has been reported stolen or salvaged. A full VIN is required, and users are limited to five searches per IP address every 24 hours.

Colorado DMV:

The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) holds vehicle records and may perform VIN checks upon request. A fee typically applies, and authorization may be needed to access records for vehicles owned by others. For more info, call (303) 205-5600.

Free vs. Paid VIN Check Services in Colorado

While there are several free resources (from both government agencies and private organizations) readily available for performing VIN checks in Colorado, these free VIN check services often provide basic and/or somewhat limited information. In most cases, the provided information is usually not enough to perform a thorough review of a used vehicle.

For a more comprehensive vehicle history report, you should consider combining these free tools with a paid VIN check service. Premium platforms like GoodCar, Carfax, CarMart, and AutoCheck offer comprehensive vehicle history reports on used cars in Colorado that contain a wide scope of details, including:

• Title brands
• Ownership records
• Title issues
• Vehicle specifications
• Odometer/mileage verification
• Accident history
• Rebuild records
• Service and maintenance records
• Inspection records
• Safety defects and recalls
• Sale history
• Retail, trade-in, and private-party pricing
• NHTSA crash test ratings, and much more!

What Used Car Scams Are Common in Colorado?

The importance of being cautious when purchasing a used vehicle in Colorado cannot be overstated. Whether it’s posting fake online listings, lowballing customers by initially offering low prices and then jacking up the price through additional costs, or passing off damaged cars as otherwise, deceptive auto dealers and private sellers constantly come up with various ways to defraud buyers. Some used car scams commonly reported in Colorado include:

Title Washing:

Altering a salvaged, flood-damaged, or rebuilt car’s title to make it appear “clean.”

VIN Cloning:

Using a legally registered car’s VIN on a stolen or salvaged vehicle to mask its identity.

Deceptive Advertisements:

Misrepresenting a car’s condition, history, or price to mislead buyers.

Fake Vehicle History Reports:

Providing buyers with a false vehicle history report to hide a car's true condition.

Odometer Rollbacks:

Tampering with a car’s odometer to fraudulently inflate its value by making it seem like it has driven fewer miles than it has.

Curbstoning:

Posing as a private seller to avoid regulations and sell defective vehicles.

Several local news outlets recently reported an ongoing scam where the scammers altered VINs to hide the true history of vehicles, misleading buyers into purchasing cars with hidden damages or salvage titles. Some buyers were also tricked into paying for a fake vehicle history report.

The following tips can help you avoid falling for a scam when buying a used car in Colorado:

1. Do proper research on your car of choice, particularly its model, features, and market value.
2. Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true. A car being advertised at a price significantly lower than the market value is usually an indication of an issue.
3. Always ask the seller for proof of vehicle ownership and make sure that their name matches the car’s title.
4. Always see the car in person before buying. It is also a good idea to take it for a test drive and/or have it inspected by a trusted mechanic.
5. Never wire money to a seller you do not know.
6. Use reputable platforms like GoodCar to run a VIN check on the car and obtain a verified vehicle history report.

How Do I Check the Status of My Vehicle's Title in Colorado?

In Colorado, you can check the status of your vehicle title and verify lienholder information by requesting a vehicle record search through the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This is especially useful when purchasing a used vehicle to avoid issues such as unresolved liens or title discrepancies.

To make a request, you’ll need to complete and submit the Form DR 2489A - Motor Vehicle Requestor Release Affidavit of Intended Use. Submissions can be made either in person or by mail:

In-person:
Department of Revenue
Vehicle Services Section
1881 Pierce Street, Room 150
Lakewood, CO 80214

By mail:
Department of Revenue
Vehicle Services Section
P.O. Box 173350
Denver, CO 80217-3350

Online record searches may also be available through the CO DMV Partner platform, although access is typically limited to authorized agencies and organizations.

The fee for a record search is $2.20, with an additional $0.50 per certified copy. If you’re requesting records on behalf of another person, you must obtain their signed authorization or provide a statement outlining your intended use. Additional documentation may be required. For assistance, contact the DMV Vehicle Services Section at (303) 205-5608.

How To Register a Brand New Car in Colorado

Per Colorado Law, brand-new cars must be titled and registered within 60 days of purchase. Individuals who relocate to Colorado must also title and register their vehicle(s) within 90 days of becoming a resident. The process is handled by the Colorado Department of Revenue through its Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and may be done via any of the following methods:

• Titling and registering the car in person at your county motor vehicle office.
• Titling and registering the car at the dealership (only available at certain state-licensed dealerships).
• Titling the car at your county motor vehicle office and then completing the registration online via the state’s myDMV portal.

You will typically need the following documents to title and register your vehicle:

• A Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (for vehicles being titled for the first time)
• The car’s current title or other ownership documents properly endorsed by the previous owner (for used cars)
• A bill of sale
• Proof of insurance
• Secure and verifiable identification
• Proof of a passed emissions test (required in select counties)

Additional documents may be required depending on your specific circumstances. Vehicle titling and registration fees in Colorado are determined at the county level and are calculated based on the vehicle type, its empty weight, and applicable taxes. The DMV offers a fee estimator which you can access through the myDMV portal under "Vehicle Services" → "Estimate registration fees."

Once you’ve submitted all required documents and paid the applicable fees, the DMV will send you license plates and validation tabs. This process may take between 2–6 weeks.

What Are the Requirements for Registering a New Car in Colorado?

Colorado has approximately 5.44 million state-registered vehicles operating on its roads and highways. Colorado residents are typically required to title and register their newly purchased cars with the state’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 60 days, while individuals who move to Colorado must register their vehicles within 90 days.

The registration process in Colorado typically begins with titling the vehicle at your local county motor vehicle office or at the dealership where you bought the car (note that not all Colorado auto dealerships offer this service). You will usually need the following documents to do this:

• Proof of ownership
• Odometer disclosure
• A bill of sale
• Secure and verifiable ID
• A completed VIN verification form (for vehicles previously titled outside Colorado)

Once your vehicle has been titled and you have received a “title complete” notice, you may then continue the registration process by submitting the following additional documents:

• Proof of insurance
• Proof of a Colorado emissions test (this is only required for Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson Counties, as well as certain parts of Adams, Arapahoe, El Paso, Larimer, and Weld Counties)

The DMV also offers first-time registrants the option of utilizing its myDMV portal to complete their vehicle registration online. Registration fees vary but are generally determined by the weight and type of vehicle being registered, the types of license plates requested, applicable taxes, and service charges. You may estimate these fees online via the myDMV portal by selecting the "Vehicle Services" tab (on the portal) and then selecting the "Estimate registration fees" option.

Vehicle Registration Renewal in Colorado

Vehicle registration in Colorado remains valid for a period of 12 months. Renewal is generally required no later than one month following the registration’s expiration date to avoid penalties. Approximately 30 days prior to expiration, vehicle owners typically receive a renewal notice—either by mail or postcard—detailing the documentation and fee requirements for successful renewal.

Renewal procedures may be completed through various channels: in person at the local county motor vehicle office, at designated Colorado MV Express kiosks (where available), or via the state’s official myDMV online portal. However, online renewal may be restricted under the following conditions:

• The registration has been expired for over 13 months
• An emissions test is mandated for the vehicle
• No current proof of insurance exists on file with the DMV

Does Colorado Mandate Vehicle Inspection?

While Colorado does not mandate statewide vehicle safety inspections, emissions testing is required for vehicles in certain areas to comply with air quality standards. These areas currently include all of Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson Counties, as well as parts of Adams, Arapahoe, El Paso, Larimer, and Weld Counties.

Exemptions are typically made for new gasoline or hybrid vehicles for the first seven model years and new diesel vehicles for the first four model years, provided that ownership of the vehicle does not change during this period.

Colorado emissions testing typically must be done every two years, but may be required annually or every five years depending on the vehicle’s age and registration type. During the test, the vehicle’s VIN and odometer reading are usually verified and documented to confirm the car’s identity and mileage.

How Do I Get a Replacement VIN in Colorado?

The Colorado DMV may assign VINs for vehicles manufactured from a kit and in certain situations where a vehicle’s original VIN has been removed, changed, altered, or obliterated. You may obtain a Colorado DMV-assigned VIN by taking the following steps:

• Get the vehicle inspected by a certified VIN inspector. Make sure the inspector completes a Colorado Certified VIN Inspection form.
• Gather necessary documents. These include proof of ownership for all major components used in reconstructing the vehicle and photographs of the completed vehicle showing that it is roadworthy.
• Complete and submit a Form DR 2408 - Colorado Assigned Vehicle Identification Number Application and a Form DR 2426 - Colorado Assigned Vehicle Identification Number Declaration of Facts, to your local county motor vehicle office. Be aware that additional documentation may be required.

Note that a $3.50 fee is typically charged at the time of submission. The DMV will review your application and may either assign you a VIN or reject and return the application to you, along with its reasons for the rejection.

Does Colorado Require a VIN Inspection for Out-of-State Vehicles?

Colorado requires a VIN verification for out-of-state vehicles being registered in the state. This verification must be done by a Colorado law enforcement officer, a licensed Colorado motor vehicle dealer, or a licensed Colorado emissions testing station. The inspector will complete and issue you a Form DR 2698 - Verification of Vehicle Identification Number, which you must then submit to the DMV, along with other necessary registration documents.