A shiny car can carry a branded past. Enter the VIN and see whether the title is clean — or hiding a salvage, rebuilt, flood or lemon history that slashes its value.
A title "brand" is a permanent mark on a car's record. Knowing the difference is the whole point of a clean check.
No brands on record — never declared a total loss. What you want to see before buying.
Declared a total loss by an insurer, usually after a major crash, flood or theft.
A salvage car repaired and re-inspected. Roadworthy, but worth far less and harder to insure.
Water damage that corrodes electronics and safety systems long after it looks dry.
Repurchased by the manufacturer for chronic defects it couldn't fix.
Deemed fit only for parts or scrap — should never be back on the road.
Title washing is the fraud a clean VIN check is built to stop — moving a branded car between states to erase its brand.
An insurer brands a wrecked or flooded car as salvage in one state.
The car is re-registered in a state with looser title rules.
A fresh title is issued — and the salvage brand quietly disappears.
It's listed as "clean" at a clean-title price to an unsuspecting buyer.
Because records are tied to the VIN, a check can surface a salvage brand from the car's history even after the title itself was washed clean in another state. That's the whole reason to check the number, not just read the title.
Find the 17-digit code on the dashboard, door jamb, title or listing.
Paste it above. We scan title and brand records tied to that VIN.
Get a clear clean / branded verdict with the brand type if one exists.
Check the title from the VIN in two minutes — free, no account, no catch.
Check the Title →