Vehicle history report by License Plate
Over 30% of used vehicles have undisclosed damages. With a vehicle history lookup, you can spot theft records, damages, accidents, and more. Stay protected from used car scams with a detailed report.
- Verified & secure History
- Accurate Data
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- Avoid Risks
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58.1 M
U.S. vehicles had unresolved recalls as of early 2025.
2.14 M+
Vehicles on U.S. roads in 2024 had rolled-back odometers.
452000
Water-damaged cars were on U.S. roads in 2023.
~850708
Vehicles were stolen in the U.S. in 2024, or about 97 per hour.
Main Issues We Solve with License Plate Search
Sellers lie. Photos deceive. Car dealers don’t always know the truth. That’s why you need a tool that shows you everything clearly. Here’s what most buyers miss and what we help expose:
Hidden Accident Records
Many used cars have been in accidents that are not disclosed by sellers. In 2023, there were over 6 million police-reported motor vehicle crashes in the U.S., with a significant number resulting in property damage or injury.
Undisclosed Flood Damage
Thousands of cars are damaged by floods each year and then resold without proper disclosure. For example, in 2023, around 452,000 flood-damaged cars were back on U.S. roads.
Odometer Rollback Fraud
Odometer fraud is a persistent problem, with over 2.14 million vehicles on the road in 2024 potentially having rolled-back odometers. This fraud costs unsuspecting buyers an average of $4,000 in lost value.
Salvage or Branded Titles
Over 10 million vehicles are sent to salvage yards and scrap facilities in the U.S. each year. Vehicles declared as “salvage” or having other “branded” titles (e.g., flood, junk, total loss) often have severe damage that makes them unsafe or difficult to insure.
Common Vehicle Issues
Types of problems found in used car history reports:
| Issue | Description | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Title Issues |
Salvage, flood, lemon, or branded title | 12% |
Stolen History |
Previously reported as stolen | 8% |
Odometer Fraud |
Rollback or tampering detected | 6% |
Accident History |
Reported involvement in moderate to severe accidents | 28% |
Open Recalls |
Active manufacturer safety recalls | 18% |
Used Car Issues by State
Percentage of used vehicles with title problems, theft history, and odometer fraud (2024)
Car Issues by State
Percentage of vehicles with reported issues across states
Why Our License Plate Search Is The Solution You Need
Our license plate search tool cuts through the deception and provides car buyers and sellers with every piece of information needed to make informed decisions. Here’s what we provide:
Over 81 Million Records
Get a complete picture of the car’s past, including accidents, title status, mileage records, ownership changes, and more, from our database of over 81 million records.
Supports All U.S Plates
No VIN? The license plate search tool looks up all US license plates regardless of state or plate type. Get instant access to past history records with a simple check.
Reports For All Vehicle Types
Built for not just cars, our tool supports all vehicle types and provides full history records for all vehicle types, including, cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, and more.
Verify Vehicle Safety
Know if the vehicle has unresolved safety recalls, accident records, theft records, or damages that could affect performance, safety, or resale value.
Detect Odometer Rollbacks
Mileage inconsistencies are flagged immediately, so you can avoid scams and spot inflated pricing.
Real Title Insights
Learn if a vehicle has ever been salvaged, rebuilt, flooded, or deemed a lemon. All from one easy search.
What Information Can You Get from a License Plate Lookup?
We provide everything you need to know about a vehicle with a license plate lookup, especially when the VIN is unavailable or missing. Here’s what you can get with this tool:
Accident Records
Check whether a vehicle has been in an accident in the past. With a license plate search, you can access the number of accidents, locations, dates, and more.
Damage Records
Verify the severity of damages with a lookup. Check for structural damage, dents, airbag deployments, and more. Be sure of the vehicle’s actual condition.
Title Brand Records
Ensure the vehicle you’re interested in has a clean title. Check for salvage, rebuilt, junk, flood, or lemon title brands and verify the roadworthiness of a vehicle.
Ownership Records
Track the number of owners, states of registration, usage type (private, commercial, rental), transfer dates, duration of ownership, and more.
Theft Records
Be sure you’re not buying a stolen vehicle. Check whether a vehicle had been stolen in the past, the date it was stolen, and if it was recovered at any point.
Mileage Readings
Spot odometer rollback by checking the actual mileage history of a vehicle. Identify gaps or inconsistencies in mileage by checking the first and last known mileage records.
Service and Maintenance History
Check for routine maintenance records, oil changes, brake service, major repairs, and more. Spot gaps or missed maintenance intervals.
Auction History
See previous auction records, photos, seller type, auction date, location, damages, and even the price the vehicle was sold for. Gain full insights into the vehicle’s actual condition.
Sales History
Check for sales records and online listings of the vehicle in the past. View pictures, verify damages, seller type, and more.
Vehicle Specifications
View detailed vehicle specifications, including year, make, model, engine, transmission, drive type, tires, and more.
Lien and Loan Records
Make sure a car has no loan or lien records, and avoid cars that might be repossessed in the future. Check the number of liens and when loans were taken.
Open Recalls
Prior to purchasing a vehicle, look for any pending or open recalls that need to be addressed for increased safety.
U.S. License Plate Types, Numbering Formats, and Registration Requirements
We’ve compiled the most up-to-date guide covering all types of license plates, how each license plate format works, and license plate registration guidelines, state by state.
Plate Anatomy
Physical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Width | 12 inches |
| Height | 6 inches |
| Thickness | 0.025 to 0.039 inches |
| Mounting Holes | 4 (pre-drilled) |
| Material | Aluminium |
| Reflectivity | Retroreflective sheeting |
| Bolt Holes | 1/4" x 3/2" Score |
| Screen Patterns | MX-10 x 100ml Score |
Registration Number
The unique alphanumeric sequence assigned to the vehicle.
State Identifier
Plate Type Identifier
Month/Year Stickers
Slogan or Motto
Security Features
Reflective Sheeting
Background Design
License Plate Formats by State
Many states have multiple standard backgrounds or issue new designs every few years; this table reflects the most recent standard issue or the most common design in use in top US states.
| State | Standard Format | Pattern Description | Background Design/Slogan |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1ABC234 | 1 digit, 3 letters, 3 digits | White with blue lettering, red "California" |
| Texas | ABC-1234 | 3 letters, dash, 4 digits | White with black, state outline and star |
| Florida | A12 3BC | 1 letter, 2 digits, 1 digit, 2 letters | White with state map, orange graphic |
| New York | ABC-1234 | 3 letters, dash, 4 digits | Yellow/blue, "Empire State" |
| Pennsylvania | ABC-1234 | 3 letters, dash, 4 digits | White/blue/yellow, "VisitPA.com" |
| Illinois | AB 12345 | 2 letters, space, 5 digits | Blue/white, "Land of Lincoln" |
| Ohio | ABC 1234 | 3 letters, 4 digits | White with blue/red, "Birthplace of Aviation" |
| Georgia | ABC 1234 | 3 letters, 4 digits | White with peach, "Georgia.gov" |
| North Carolina | ABC-1234 | 3 letters, dash, 4 digits | White with blue/red, "First in Flight" |
| Michigan | ABC 1234 | 3 letters, 4 digits | White with blue, "Great Lakes State" |
License Plate Types
Standard/Passenger Plates
Issued to most privately owned vehicles for everyday use.
Appearance
Often feature a state name, slogan, and simple number-letter combination.
Eligibility
Available to any resident registering a non-commercial passenger vehicle.
Commercial Plates
For vehicles used in business operations, including trucks, delivery vans, and fleet vehicles.
Key Features
May include weight class and taxed differently than passenger vehicles.
Eligibility
Business or individual use for transporting goods or equipment.
Personalized/Vanity Plates
Issued to most privately owned vehicles for everyday use.
Fees
Additional fees apply for customization.
Rules
Must follow state guidelines (character limit, no offensive language, availability).
Specialty Plates
Include alumni plates, wildlife support, military honors, charities, and more.
Fees
Additional fees go to charitable causes or organizations.
Eligibility
Often requires affiliation or proof of eligibility (e.g., veteran status).
Government/Municipal Plates
Assigned to federal, state, or local government-owned vehicles.
Identification
May include agency initials, like “GOV” or special color coding.
Eligibility
The vehicle must be owned or leased by a government entity.
How to Search a License Plate
With our instant license plate search tool, you can easily gain full access to all vehicle history records. Here are the easy steps to follow:
Step 1: Enter the License Plate Number or Search VIN
Enter the license plate number and select the state. If the license plate is unavailable, try the VIN.
Step 2: Choose Your Report and Purchase
You can view vehicle specifications for free, but for a full report, you need to make a purchase.
Step 3: Get Your Report
Your report will be available immediately for printing and download in PDF format.
License Plate Lookup by State
Our tool supports license plate lookups in all 50 U.S. states, with detailed results specific to each region. Whether you’re looking up a plate from Texas, California, New York, Florida, or beyond, we’ve got you covered.
We are Trusted Worldwide!
Hear what our satisfied customers have to say about our vehicle history reports:
What a relief to find an easy and informative site to access reliable information about my vehicle. Quick and accurate! And this gives my potential buyers everything they need to make an informed decision! I love that everything is available at one place!
I was referred to this site by a prospective buyer and I am really impressed. The information is clear, detailed and accurate. I was also assisted by live chat who responded immediately and resolved all my questions and concerns. Highly recommended
I had such a great experience using their service when I was looking to buy a used car. The website is super easy to use, and I was able to get a really detailed report about the car’s past. It covered everything from accidents to title issues to service history—things I wouldn’t have thought to check otherwise…
FAQ About License Plate Lookup
Can I search for the owner of a license plate?
Yes, you can search for the owner of a license plate with our instant and accurate tool. Simply fill out the form on this page to check ownership history. Note, however, that you cannot view personal owner information due to privacy laws.
Can I find a person's name from their license plate?
Can I search for a car by license plate number?
Yes, you can look up the records of any vehicle using the license plate number, regardless of the type of vehicle—car, truck, bus, trailer, classic car, etc.
Can you search license plate numbers in Mississippi?
Yes, you can search license plate numbers in Mississippi and any other US state with our license plate search tool.
How to look up license plate numbers for free?
Is it legal to search someone’s license plate?
Perform a License Plate Search Today and Get Instant, Accurate Results!
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