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A complete guide to tracking down the owner & history of a vehicle
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There are a few different reasons you may want to identify and locate the owner of a vehicle. Perhaps you witnessed or were the victim of a hit-and-run accident. You may need to look up the new owner of a car you recently sold. Or you just saw a car go by and thought the driver was a long-lost friend. How can you track down the owner in any of these cases? If you’re a little creative, there are several ways available to you. This article covers how to find a car’s owner by contacting the authorities, using the vehicle identification number, and through legal documents associated with the sale of the car.
Finding a Vehicle's Owner: Quick Tips
Try using the VIN to locate the owner online with a VIN lookup service. Your state’s Registry of Motor Vehicles also provides limited information using the car’s license plate number. The police or your insurance company can locate the owner in the event of a hit-and-run accident.
Steps
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Call the police to locate a car’s owner & report accidents or illegal activity. Don’t attempt to locate a car’s driver on your own if you witnessed any kind of accident , illegal behavior, or if your car was the victim of a hit-and-run incident. Your best option is to notify the police and give them whatever information you have. If possible, provide them with: [1] X Research source- The make and model of the car.
- The car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). If you have an opportunity to get close enough to the car, you can find most VINs by looking through the windshield at the bottom corner of the dashboard on the driver’s side.
- The license plate number.
- Any particular distinguishing features, such as unusual accessories, paint jobs, or damage to the car.
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Contact your insurance company for help locating the driver. Your insurance company has resources available that you don’t. If you file a claim or are investigating the possibility of a future claim, the insurance company may be able to track down the owner of the other car. [2] X Research sourceAdvertisement -
Contact the Registry of Motor Vehicles or your local corresponding agency. If you provide the Registry of Motor Vehicles with a car's license plate or VIN, they will use that information to identify the owner. They probably won’t give you that information directly. However, they may provide the information to the police or your insurance agent instead.Monica Bonfanti, Vehicle Forensics ExpertWith some basic investigative skills and knowledge of vehicle forensics, an investigator can uncover valuable evidence to identify a vehicle's rightful owner, even in complex cases involving theft, fraud, or other criminal activity. Methods like VIN analysis, paint chip analysis, and examination of trace evidence inside the vehicle can point the way.
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Use an online company that provides VIN owner lookup services. There are several sources online that will perform VIN reference checks . Most of these sources, particularly the ones that offer a free search, exist to help buyers of used cars check the history of the vehicle or to ensure that the vehicle has not been stolen. [3] X Research source However, if you’re willing to pay for the service, you may find some online search engines that will provide you with personal identification information, such as name, address, and phone number.- If you have an opportunity to get close enough, locate the VIN by looking through the windshield at the bottom corner of the dashboard on the driver’s side. [4] X Research source
- Request information regarding a license plate number through your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles, but they will not give you the owner's personal information.
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Be cautious about using the results you get from these services. For privacy concerns, many online search sites are unlikely to provide as much information as you want. Most VIN searches, especially the free ones, let you know if a car has a history of being stolen or damaged, but they won’t give you personal names or contact information. For an additional fee, you may be able to receive names of prior owners but be wary of the results.- These search engines are only as accurate as the information fed into public databases. The ones that claim to be able to give you personal information about prior owners are usually less reputable.
- In fact, in the "small print" on some search sites, the company warns you to "independently verify" any information you recover.
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Check the title for information about the car’s owner. If you’re the current owner and trying to find the person who sold you the car, or you recently sold a car and are trying to find the new owner, check the paperwork from the sale. As part of selling a car, the Certificate of Title contains information identifying the car’s seller and buyer. If you kept a copy of this document (and you should!), the information is quite easy to find. [5] X Research source -
Check the bill of sale for the buyer or seller's contact information. The bill of sale is another helpful document from a vehicle sale. However, you may not have a bill of sale because it’s not required in all states when you buy a car . If you do have the bill of sale, it identifies both the new owner and seller. [6] X Research source- The bill of sale is not generally recorded with the registry. It’s simply one of the documents you may have if you were a party to the previous sale.
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Consider using any available accident or insurance reports. If the car is one that you previously owned, and you’re looking for a current owner, try to dig up old records of accidents or insurance claims filed in the past. If you’re lucky, these records contain the car’s VIN. Once you have the VIN, search for it online.- Contact your insurance company for help locating any insurance-related documents. If you don't have the records, their record system may include helpful information.
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Identify the type of car the owner was driving. There are many car clubs devoted to specific makes and models. If the car is unique or interesting enough to have a fanbase, they probably have a club of devoted enthusiasts who may be able to help.- Suppose you see a really cool Camaro, Mustang, or some other collectible car drive by. Make a note of as much descriptive information as you can get.
- Try to identify the car online by comparing the information you jotted down to different car models.
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Look up car clubs associated with the car online. Once you’ve identified the make and model of the car, perform an internet search with the car’s name and “car clubs” to find listings of clubs dedicated to car enthusiasts. Look for owners in your area. Some car club sites will list owners by name and include contact information. With a little luck, you’ll find the person you want.- Narrow your search by the style or year of the car. If you have this additional information, you will have a better chance of finding the particular car and owner you are looking for.
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Place a newspaper ad to find a local car owner. This isn’t the most effective way to reach out to someone, but if you’re really serious about trying to find them and believe they’re local, try running an ad in a local newspaper. Describe the type of car, the reason you are trying to find the person, and a safe way for him or her to contact you. -
Place a classified ad in a car magazine. When looking for the owner of a collectible or antique car, try taking out an ad in a national car magazine. Numerous magazines are dedicated to car enthusiasts, and they tend to have broader circulations than your local newspaper. Try placing a classified ad with a description of the car and driver you are hoping to locate. Be sure to include a safe way for him or her to contact you.- Be careful not to post too much private information about yourself.
- If you set up a meeting with the person you contact, keep it in an open, public location where you will be safe.
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Post information about the car on social media. The Internet reaches all over the world and may be able to help you locate the owner of a car. Consider using sites like Facebook , CraigsList , Nextdoor, or similar resources to make your search truly wide-reaching. Again, be careful not to put out too much personal information about yourself, and only arrange meetings in safe locations.- If available, consider posting a photo of the car in question. For example, post a video if a car is illegally parked in your neighborhood and you're trying to contact the owner. Posting a photo of the car on a neighborhood Facebook group might catch someone's eye.
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References
- ↑ https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-education-and-safety/educational-materials/fast-facts/vehicle-collisions-ffdl-16/
- ↑ https://www.findlaw.com/injury/car-accidents/what-to-do-when-you-hit-a-parked-car.html
- ↑ https://www.nicb.org/
- ↑ https://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/how-to-find-the-vin
- ↑ https://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/buying-or-selling-a-vehicle/title-check-look-before-you-buy
- ↑ https://www.dmv.org/bill-of-sale-form.php
About This Article
Article Summary
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To find the owner of a vehicle, start by looking online for a site that will perform vehicle searches. Then, enter the VIN number or license plate number of the car in question and see what it comes up with. If you don’t have the VIN number, you can usually find it by looking through the bottom of the windshield on the driver’s side. Alternatively, you can contact your insurance company and ask them to look up the vehicle information, especially if you want to file a claim, since they have access to vehicle search engines. For tips from our Legal reviewer on how to identify the owner of a vehicle using a title or bill of sale, read on!
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