The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles issued a press release urging Texans, “Don’t Buy a Wreck. Do a Title Check” online at its website (www.txdmv.gov). If you are considering purchasing a vehicle, take a few extra minutes and protect yourself by going online to the TxDMV website, click on the box labeled “Title √” and enter the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) of your potential purchase. The VIN is located either on the driver’s side dashboard (look from the outside of the vehicle at the corner where the windshield meets the dashboard) or in the driver’s side door or door jamb printed on a sticker located there.
When you go to the TxDMV website, you will be able to find out if the vehicle is salvaged, rebuilt or was damaged by floodwaters – something all of us want to know before – not after – we make this substantial purchase. You will spend a couple of dollars to obtain the title history report but you may save yourself a legal issue down the road.
If you don’t take the time to investigate the vehicle’s title history, your County Tax Office will be notified within three days of any issues and may be calling you. Cheryl E. Johnson, Galveston County Tax Assessor Collector, is hopeful that as TxDMV moves to its new computer system and as the data is gathered on fraudulent titles that the information will be reflected in the system at the time of transaction.
For additional information, visit the TxDMV website or the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System website as www.vehiclehistory.gov.
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