Georgia VIN Check

What to know when buying used cars in Georgia

When buying a used car in Georgia, it’s important to thoroughly inspect the vehicle for any potential issues or damage. Make sure to check a Georgia vehicle history report by Georgia VIN check, including any accidents, repairs, or previous ownership. It’s recommended to get the car inspected by a trusted mechanic and to take it for a test drive to ensure it runs smoothly. 

According to the report by CBS42, Georgia has an above-average used car price. If you plan to buy a used car from Georgia, it would be wise to make preparations in advance. Conducting a Georgia VIN check can aid in making a knowledgeable choice.

Georgia Vehicle History: Do thorough research on a vehicle’s history before concluding a car sale. Ensure that the original parts are intact and inspect for any significant damages the vehicle might have experienced previously. Individuals interested in purchasing a car can benefit from using resources provided by the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) or private car report providers like Carfax or Autocheck. These can help with Georgia VIN check and in providing a comprehensive Georgia vehicle history report.

A Georgia vehicle history report by Georgia VIN Check may show these details:

• Vehicle specifications – refers to the most basic of features, dimensions, performance, and appearance of a car. 
• Accident history – data on past accidents or damages the vehicle has sustained previously
• Title information – shows whether a car possesses a clean title record or if it was branded as salvage, reconstruction, total loss, or others in the past. 
• Ownership history – details on past ownership and the length of time they possessed the car as well as the dates and frequency of ownership transfer.
• Mileage history – the distance tracked by the odometer since a vehicle was first driven; it can be utilized to identify any manipulation of a vehicle’s mileage.
• Vehicle use – checks if a car has past personal or professional purposes, and whether it has ever served as a rental, taxi, or transport car.
• Manufacturer recalls – displays recall data instigated by the car manufacturer, along with a brief description of a defect and proposed fixes. 
• Theft record – shows any status that the vehicle has been marked as stolen or if it is connected to a theft recovery effort. 
• Liens and finance history – shows if a car has outstanding debts or liens that are not yet paid off, or if it has been confiscated for non-payment of loans.
• Others – information regarding currently active and expired warranties as well as car insurance policies.

Required Documents: Prior to buying a pre-owned Georgia automobile, you must verify that the seller has presented to you all legal documents, such as the title, registration, and bill of sale, to prevent any potential legal, safety, and financial concerns down the drain. Unless specifically stated as being sold “as is,” the seller must address any outstanding debts or legal responsibilities linked to the automobile before passing its ownership to the buyer.

Inspection Requirements: Every vehicle in Georgia must go through a safety inspection each year. In some parts of the state, this safety inspection includes any missions inspection, which is often referred to as a smog inspection. All vehicles registered in the state of Georgia must be inspected annually prior to the registration date for the vehicle (the vehicle owner’s birthday). It is strongly recommended that you get your vehicle tested four to six weeks before the registration date to give you time to perform any necessary repairs that may be required.

Lemon Law Protections: The Lemon Law in Georgia aims to assist those who have purchased faulty vehicles by providing them with the opportunity to have it repaired by the manufacturer. If the vehicle cannot be fixed even after several reasonable attempts, and is declared a “lemon”, the law requires the manufacturer to either replace or buy back the vehicle.

Don’t Take the Risk: Get a Georgia VIN Check Today

A Georgia VIN decoder is crucial for all car purchasers, regardless of whether they are buying their first or third vehicle. By examining a Georgia vehicle history report of a car, you can steer clear of acquiring a car that may potentially pose significant performance and safety concerns.

A Georgia VIN check can assist in detecting deception by revealing if the seller has any outstanding debts or if the vehicle has been stolen or flooded. By running a Georgia VIN check and scrutinizing a Georgia vehicle history report, you can be more certain that the car you are buying is in excellent shape.

Georgia DMV

Registering/titling a car in Georgia? You must apply for registration/titling with a Georgia DDS office. If a Georgia resident buys a vehicle from a private seller, they must obtain registration within 7 business days following the purchase date. However, if they purchase a vehicle from a dealership, they have a window of 30 days from the purchase date to initiate the registration process. Likewise, new residents will also have a 30-day grace period for registering their cars. As for vehicle titles, owners must obtain a Georgia title within 30 days of purchasing or transferring a vehicle by submitting an application at the County Tag Office of the buyer.

Here is a short list of Georgia DMV services car buyers and owners can avail of:

• Title and registrations for vehicles
• Title/registration transfers and lien releases
• Replacement/Renewals of titles and registrations
• Issuance of license plates and stickers
• Vanity or Personalized License Plate Requests
• Motor Vehicle Records

Georgia DMV FAQs

How to register and title a vehicle in Georgia?

Here is a general overview of the process in Georgia:

1. Obtain insurance: In Georgia, having car insurance is compulsory, and all drivers must possess liability insurance that provides coverage for both property damage and bodily injuries.

The minimum limits of liability insurance required under Georgia law are:

• Bodily Injury Liability – $25,000 per person and $50,000 per incident
• Property Damage Liability – $25,000 per incident

Not having proper car insurance in Georgia can lead to penalties, revocation of driving privileges, or registration.

2. Get a vehicle inspection: Every vehicle in Georgia must go through a safety inspection each year, especially for newly registered or titled cars. 
3. Apply for a vehicle title and registration: To transfer the ownership of your vehicle or update its registration/title status, applying for a new registration/title certificate is a must. You can do this by filling out and submitting the required form to an authorized Georgia DMV office.
4. Pay the fees: It is necessary for you to pay the associated fees in your Georgia DMV application.
5. Submit the documents: The DMV may require you to provide your necessary documents, payment for the application fee, and the application form either during or after the application process.
6. Get the DMV materials: Once you have submitted all the necessary paperwork, you will receive your registration card, title, and other relevant documents. Moreover, you will be given a Georgia license plate to be attached to the back of the registered vehicle.

How much does it cost to register and title a vehicle in Georgia?

The amount of registration and titling fees in Georgia is influenced by a host of factors, including vehicle type, design, age, and weight. The following are general guidelines that can give you a good look at the usual charges while registering or titling a vehicle.

Registration/Title Fee: The standard vehicle title fee is $18. 

Sales Tax: The state of Georgia has a 4% general sales tax rate, but this does not apply to the purchase of cars within the state. Instead, a tax called the Ad Valorem Tax is imposed on vehicle purchases. This tax is calculated based on the assessed value of the item.

License Plate Fee: The standard license plate fee in Georgia is $20. 

Other Fees: It is possible to encounter extra charges, including fees on emissions, replacements, and renewal. If you are interested in learning about other potential fees, please click this link.

Some of these charges are subject to change, and their applicability could differ on a case-to-case basis. To get the exact fees for certain vehicle DMV services, reach out to the Georgia DMV.

What are the usual requirements when registering or titling a vehicle in Georgia?

The usual paperwork required for Georgia vehicle registration and titling includes:

• Proof of ownership: Bill of sale, past registration, and past title qualify. Provide a bill of sale and/or title with signatures from both parties (buyer and previous owner/seller) if transferring ownership. 
• Proof of identity: The driver’s license or any government-issued ID.
• Completed application form(s): Document(s) required for the official Georgia DMV recognition of ownership. 
• Insurance: Proof of liability insurance, such as an insurance card, might be required by DMV agents.
• Smog/Safety certification: This may be required by an attending agent.

Payment of fees/taxes: Fees and taxes must be settled to complete the process.

Other Resources for Car Drivers/Owners

Automotive review sites provide both existing car owners and prospective buyers with access to professional opinions, evaluations, and feedback regarding a diverse range of vehicles, including compact cars, sports cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks. These platforms give users numerous options to compare several models by examining different aspects such as specifications, performance, safety features, cost, and customer contentment, among various others. Edmunds, Car and Driver, and Motor Trend are good examples of automotive review sites. 

Vehicle safety rating sites can be beneficial for those who are planning to buy a new or used car. These websites provide current information about the safety ratings of various car makes and models, giving buyers the necessary knowledge to make intelligent decisions about their next automotive purchase. To evaluate the safety rating of a vehicle, the websites utilize various criteria, such as crash test outcomes, safety features, and overall performance in terms of safety. Ratings typically range from one to five stars, with five stars being the top rating for safety. NHTSA and IIHS are good examples of vehicle safety rating sites.

Vehicle market value websites offer vehicle market value that can prove to be extremely useful for buyers and sellers alike. These sites provide accurate and current information on the worth of a particular car. One of the most significant advantages of utilizing these websites is their ability to take into account many different factors that can impact a car’s value. These factors may include the brand, model, year of manufacture, mileage, as well as how popular a specific make and model of car is among consumers. Two examples of automotive market value sites include Kelley Blue Book and NADA Guides.

Georgia crash report. Ensure your safety while driving by inspecting a vehicle for prior incidents that may pose a risk to your security in the future. Choose cars that are in excellent shape. Obtaining a Georgia vehicle history report through a Georgia VIN lookup can provide you with beneficial information derived from police and others regarding past incidents and damages. The 2019 FARS report reveals that Georgia experienced approximately 1,522 deadly traffic incidents, leading to a total of 1,664 lfatalities. There is also a growing apprehension that certain units involved in these unfortunate events have been repaired and resold as new to unwitting purchasers.

Georgia crime report. According to the 2019 US Crime report by the FBI, Georgia logged 23,776 cases of car theft in the same year. Exercise caution when buying used cars from vendors who may have a history of selling stolen cars. To know if a vehicle is not beset by serious legal troubles, run a Georgia VIN check and review the corresponding Georgia vehicle history report.

Georgia natural disasters. As revealed by Primal Survivor, Georgia has suffered several natural disasters such as floods, storms, winter freezes, and other similar calamities. Review a Georgia car report thoroughly before finalizing your purchase to ensure that your preferred vehicle has not sustained serious damages from any of these incidents.

Get the Georgia VIN Check running to generate a full Georgia vehicle history report.