VIN history, former owners???

[Tom Bagaglia]

Hi,

I am trying to retrieve the names of former owners of my car. CARFAX doesn't give names and I find their records are very incomplete. I am not trying to invade on any one's private life, I am only seeking a true history of my car's past. I contacted the registry and they won't tell me anything except the previous title number, which tells nothing. Does anyone know of a place that will provide former owner's names by the vin number???

Thanks
Tom

[Jeroenvgfn]

I bought the window sticker from the Museum and worked my around.

the dealer address is on this sticker and contacted them to find out about the first buyer.

unfortunately they do not have a database of 1986 anymore.

maybe the government of motorists "pink slip registry"(dunno how you call it)
they should keep track of VIN and owners.

happy hunting,

keep us posted.

[c4cruiser]

Most states will not release any information on the current or prior registered owners except to law enforcement or the courts. Given the current problems with identity theft, I would be pretty honked off if a dealer gave out my personal information to somebody without my knowledge.

It used to be in WA that you could pay a few bucks and get information on a vehicle registration by providing the license plate number and a reason why you needed that information, but that was stopped a number of years ago. Now that information is severely restricted.

[WNH]

You might be able to retreive a maintenance history from GM, if you go to a dealer and give him your VIN #.

[tonymax2]

I sent $15 to the FL Div of Motor Vehicles for a "complete history" on 11/10/04. On 4-17-05 or so I recieved about 25 pages of copies of titles, lein docs etc. that had previous owners names and adresses on them. It was great info but the car I was interested in sold from a dealer about three weeks after I first requested the info. Most state motor vehicle departments are grossly inefficient, even if they will sell you the info.

Most states' auto titles have the last previous owners name and adress on them. If you're dealing with a private party, ask for a copy of the title. If they don't have it (at the lein holders'), ask them, to call the leinholder and have them send you a copy (helps if you can give them a FAX number to send to).

Dealers generally won't give you any information about the previous owner-- the last person they want you to talk to. Sometimes, several dealers trade a car back and forth a couple of times and that pretty well screws up the title record. It only costs them a little 'cause they generally get preferential rates and no tax.

What the used car buying public really needs (ought to have) is a federal law that says if a vehicle is advertised to the public for sale, the previous owners name and adress must be promptly provided upon request. Politicians would have to do that so don't hold your breath!