A VIN lookup in South Dakota can be utilized in order to obtain a vehicle’s complete history. This report provides invaluable information if you are considering the purchase of a used vehicle from a dealership or through a private seller.

The vehicle identification number (VIN) is a specific number that is assigned to an individual vehicle, similar to a serial number, which can be used to track ownership, car accidents and sustained damage. A South Dakota VIN number lookup can be performed online or by mail.

Perform a VIN Code Lookup Online in South Dakota

Online requests can be made from the comfort of your own home, in a dealership or anywhere else that your busy schedule may take you.

Since online reports are always available, you need not worry about hours of operation, as you can make your request 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Perform a VIN Number Lookup by Mail in South Dakota

A VIN number check can also be performed by completing and mailing the Drivers Privacy and Protection Act form to the South Dakota Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). However, it is important to know that due to the state’s protection act, you will not be permitted to obtain a vehicle report through this method until you have purchased the vehicle.

While this is still a viable method for prospective sellers of a vehicle, it may not be of as much aid to a potential buyer. For quick and fast results, request an instant VIN report.

What info is in a South Dakota VIN history report?

Now that you know how to check a VIN number in South Dakota, it is important to be aware of the information that you will find in your report. A vehicle report will, first and foremost, provide you with a real-time history of the vehicle, including title and accident history. Accident reports, sustained damages, flood damage and even salvage title branding are included. A salvage title is issued to a vehicle that has been declared as a “total loss” by an insurance agency. That is, the vehicle sustained enough damage that it was seen as uneconomical to repair the vehicle.

A VIN number check will also provide you with an owner history of the vehicle, including how many owners the car has had, and whether or not the vehicle currently has a lender. This is crucial information, because if you purchase a vehicle with a lien, it could result in the repossession of the vehicle – if the loan has not been satisfied.

Checking VIN numbers can also notify you if an odometer rollback has occurred. An odometer rollback refers to the action of falsifying the odometer on a vehicle, such as reducing the amount of miles that have been displayed, in an attempt to increase the value of the vehicle.

A VIN report will also provide you with information on any safety recall that has been issued from BHTSA and vehicle manufactures, when applicable. This can help you to ensure that the vehicle is not only operable, but safe. Additional report information includes, but is not limited to:

• Current and historical sales listings on the vehicle.
• Towing events.
• Impounds.
• Minor accidents, including damage sustained from hail.

Therefore, looking up a VIN number online can save you a lot of time, hassle and money in the long run, and will ensure that you can make an informed decision, should you consider the purchase of a used vehicle.

Why would I need to perform a VIN check in South Dakota?

A South Dakota VIN number report can be requested for a number of reasons. Due to the fact that these reports check a vehicle’s history, they are most commonly requested when considering the purchase of a vehicle. These reports are invaluable, even if you are purchasing a vehicle from a known dealership, rather than another individual. If you are purchasing a vehicle that has a few blips on the report, you may even be able to bring down the purchase price of the vehicle through negotiations.

A VIN lookup is also very attractive when you are attempting to sell your vehicle to a dealership or private buyer. By providing the vehicle’s report up front, you may be able to close a deal or negotiate the price of a vehicle that has a positive history.

How do I locate my vehicle’s VIN number?

A Vehicle’s VIN can be located in a number of places, both on and off the vehicle, itself. Vehicle documentation, such as a vehicle’s title and registration documentation, auto insurance documents and owner’s manuals all display these numbers. Alternatively, you can generally find this identification number on several places on the car. The three most common places that an identification number can be found include:

• The driver’s side dash in the interior of the vehicle.
• Under the hood of the vehicle, at the front of the engine.
• By the vehicle’s windshield washer unit.

Alternatively, you can also look beneath the spare tire in the trunk, the rear wheel well and the driver doorjamb to find this identification number.

Vehicle History Report Fees in South Dakota

You can look up VIN details online for a nominal fee of $2, or obtain a title history copy for $5.