VIN Lookup in Kansas

A Kansas VIN lookup is the process of obtaining information about a vehicle through its VIN. A VIN is typically designated to a car following its production per the provisions of the Kansas state statutes. A VIN lookup may be likened to a Kansas license plate lookup which also helps to furnish inquirers with the details of a vehicle's title. The information obtained through either process is important for the following reasons:

To verify the owner's details: Interested persons can find out about the legal owner of a vehicle before purchasing it by looking up its VIN. The VIN is linked to a vehicle title which contains information about its owner.
To acquire vehicle details: The details of every vehicle, such as the body style, model, engine size, etc., can be obtained via its VIN.
Detection of stolen vehicles: Reselling stolen vehicles is becoming quite predominant in the US. However, it is almost impossible to destroy the VIN of a car which allows for detecting such vehicles.
Accessing accident and maintenance records: A VIN also stores a vehicle's accident and maintenance records. Looking up these records provides insights into the history and reliability of a car.
Registration purposes: The VIN of a vehicle must reflect on every registration paper. It allows vehicle owners to be differentiated appropriately during registration, preventing future mixups.

What is a Vehicle Identification Number in Kansas?

A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) in Kansas is a unique code assigned to every vehicle in the state for identification purposes. VINs are essential in Kansas as every vehicle owner must perform a VIN inspection before moving freely within the state. Therefore, the VIN of a car must be unique and displayed on it to avoid legal issues.

According to section 50-645 of the Motor Vehicle Warranties, Consumer Rights & Remedies and 40-646: it is punishable by law in Kansas to attempt to alter or destroy a vehicle's VIN Remedies of the state's Lemon Law. A vehicle without a VIN is a lemon and not qualified for usage in Kansas.

How is a VIN Number Used?

The importance of a VIN is numerous and must not be neglected by manufacturers, vehicle owners, law enforcement agencies, sellers, and buyers. The following are some of the various ways to use a VIN:

To obtain information about the owner: A VIN provides details about the vehicle owner, although this is highly sensitive and protected. The report will only be accessible after a reasonable assurance is provided as regards the safety of the vehicle owner.
Emission and odometer readings: The VIN is also necessary to look into the history of emissions and the current odometer reading.
Accident and maintenance records: Interested persons can utilize the VIN of a vehicle to obtain information about its maintenance and accident history.
To acquire information about its status: Salvage vehicles are often rebuilt and claimed to be new ones. Buyers can obtain records about the disposal and declaration of salvage vehicles.
For registration and inspection purposes: During registration and inspection, the vehicle VIN must reflect and reference throughout the process.
To look up a vehicle's security records: Detection of stolen cars and retrieval of missing vehicles has been enhanced through using VIN. VIN shows the original owner of a car and, therefore, exposes the hijackers.
For insurance and banking purposes: Auto insurance companies and banks also require VINs during insurance processes and loan approval.

Who Issues a Vehicle's VIN Number in Kansas?

The manufacturer of a vehicle is responsible for issuing a VIN in Kansas. However, the Kansas Highway Patrol (KSP) inspects the VIN of cars in the state to ensure they meet the stated criteria. Vehicle owners whose VINs have been damaged are required to contact the KSP or visit the nearest law enforcement agency to logde a complaint. The KSP may then issue another VIN to the affected vehicle.

How Many Digits are in a VIN?

A standard VIN consists of 17 highly structured alphanumeric characters. The selection of characters follows a specific order to ensure no two vehicles have the same VIN. Each of the characters denotes certain information about the car and is distributed as shown below:

1st character: It represents the country of origin and can either be a block letter or a digit. For example, vehicles manufactured in the US have 1, 4, or 5 as their first character.
2nd and 3rd characters: These characters represent the manufacture of the car and are usually letters. F stands for Ford, while J implies Jeep.
4th to 8th characters are essential to understand the type of vehicle, its body style (bus, truck, or car), engine capacity, and model.
9th character: This character is known as the security number and confirms the existence of the VIN.
10th character: The 10th character represents the year of production.
11th character: It shows the plant where the vehicle production took place.
12th to 17 characters: These characters show the car's serial number.

How to Find Your Car's VIN Number

There are multiple positions where manufacturers can place VINs in a car. The commonest and normal location is on the driverside dashboard. However, some manufacturers can put it on the windshield and the pillar of the vehicle's door. The VIN is also placed in the following positions:

End of the car frame
On the engine
Beneath the seat
On the spare tire

How to Conduct a VIN Lookup in Kansas

Interested persons can conduct a VIN lookup in Kansas via government-owned and third-party independent websites. The Department of Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) of Kansas provides a portal for free to look up VIN and other vehicle records per the state's Lemon law. However, interested persons must create an account and sign a confidentiality agreement before accessing the portal. Any defaulter found is punishable by law.

Conversely, interested persons can utilize national databases to check VIN in Kansas. Here are some databases that would be of great help to interested persons:

The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) [Premium Service]
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) [Free Service]
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) [Free Service]

In addition, tons of non-government-affiliated websites on the internet can be used to conduct the lookup. Running a lookup is as easy as inputting a code into the provided space and clicking on "search". The records stored on the VIN would be shown on the screen though the accuracy relies on the database where it extracts the information.

How Do I Look Up a VIN Number for Free in Kansas?

Looking up a VIN for free in Kansas involves utilizing third-party websites offering free services and the portal provided by the State of Kansas MVR. Researchers should use free lookups when they are not concerned with the extent and accuracy of the records. Results obtained through free lookups are limited and do not usually reveal details about vehicle ownership.

The suggested national databases in the above section are also available for free lookups depending on the records the researcher wants to obtain.

How to Use the VIN Decoder to Do a VIN Number Check

A VIN decoder is an online tool used to decode the characters of a VIN. The characters of a VIN are highly-structured and not just some random codes. Hence, to interpret the VIN, a sophisticated tool known as the "VIN Decoder" is required. The major purpose of a VIN decoder is to verify the VIN and reveal basic information stored on it by interpreting the characters it contains. Although it is possible to decode a VIN manually, the complex mathematical operations involved in its formation might slow down the process.

Interested persons can access vPIC provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to decode their VINs or check on third-party websites providing the service. Unfortunately, the DMV of Kansas does not have any official VIN decoder but offers only a portal for lookup.

The process involved in using a VIN decoder is similar to conducting a normal VIN check described above. However, one may also need to indicate the vehicle's model year when using a decode to look up a VIN.

How to Conduct a VIN Lookup by License Plate in Kansas

Conducting VIN Lookups through license plates is possible in Kansas. This process involves entering the license plate number of a vehicle into an online search tool to retrieve information about it. Interested persons can perform this lookup via the Kansas State Division of Vehicles website or third-party websites offering the service online.

Conducting the lookup via the State Division of Vehicles will attract a fee and may need the researcher to visit the nearest Kansas DMV to pick up the report. Conversely, some third-party websites offer the service for free, although the results are usually not as comprehensive and accurate as those of paid services.

A license plate is simply the metallic number plate attached to either vehicle's rear or back (or both). The Kanas State Division of Vehicles issues the plate, and they are of different types. Interested persons should contact the nearest Kansas DMV to inquire about obtaining a number plate in the country and the regulations guiding its usage.

What is a VIN Inspection in Kansas?

The State of Kansas requires that all vehicles visiting the state must perform a VIN inspection to avoid legal issues during their visit or stay. There are three types of VIN inspection performed in Kansas which depend on the status and size of the vehicle:

Regular VIN Inspection

Regular VIN Inspection is mandatory for all visiting motor cars in Kansas. The inspection is performed at designated Kansas Highway Patrol Stations, Sheriff's offices, or DMV offices.

Salvage Vehicle VIN Inspection

This VIN inspection must be done to clear rebuilt vehicles (salvaged vehicles) for sale. Only specified KHP Inspection Patrols can perform the inspection due to its nature. The VINs of other salvaged vehicles' parts used during the rebuild must be provided for the check. The documents needed for the inspection include the following:

The original receipts of all purchased and replaced parts
Work order for the repair
Proof of damages before rebuilding the vehicle
Other necessary documents obtained for the repair

Specialty Vehicle and Trailer VIN Inspections

Speciality and Trailer VIN Inspection is the last VIN inspection done by the KHP to verify the authenticity of the VIN of large vehicles such as trucks and trailers. Similar to regular VIN inspections, this can be done in a designated KHP Inspection Station or at any other certified inspection centre.

Interested persons should contact the nearest inspection station before attending the VIN inspection.

How Much is a Vehicle Inspection in Kansas?

The cost of a vehicle inspection in Kansas depends on the type of inspection. The KHP does three inspections, and the average amount is as stated below:

Regular check - $20
Salvage Vehicle Inspection - $25
Specialty Vehicle and Trailer Inspections - $20

The fees for the inspection of a used car done at a KHP station will be charged alongside title and vehicle registration costs at the office of the County Treasurer. On the other hand, the fee for inspections done at other stations will be collected at the point of assessment.

What is a Vehicle Inspection Report in Kansas?

The vehicle inspection report is a document showing the vehicle inspection results in the state. A form known as the Annual Periodic Vehicle Inspection Report is used to record observations made during the check and given to the vehicle owners as proof of the inspection. The inspection report contains records of current odometer readings, the vehicle's status, an estimated market price, the validity of the VIN, etc.

The vehicle owner must keep an annual period vehicle inspection report for at least 14 months from the time of inspection before disposal. The inspection officers must also have a copy of the document for future purposes.

What Does a Vehicle History Report Contain?

A vehicle history is the diary of a car and contains every detail about it. It is a document obtained from performing a VIN Check and includes the following:

Owner's details: A vehicle history report provides information on the vehicle owner, although interested persons may need to contact the Kansas DMV or use a premium service to obtain this information.
Manufacturer records: The complete analysis of a car from its manufacturer to details such as body style, engine size, model, etc., is accessible in the history report. These details do not need special access and are available in free and premium lookups.
Legal records: Records relating to accidents, maintenance, security, traffic, odometer readings, etc., documented by government agencies, are also in the history report.
Insurance records: Insurance is a must on every vehicle in Kansas, and a car's history report shows descriptions of the insurance on it.

How to Conduct a VIN Verification in Kansas

A VIN verification in Kansas involves the validity of a car's VIN, especially before purchase. If the lookup of a VIN produces the desired result, it is a vital pointer to such a VIN and vice versa. Interested persons can also confirm the VIN of a car using a VIN decoder or reach out to the nearest Kansas DMV for guidance on how to verify a VIN.

Can I Lookup My Vehicle Specs by VIN Number?

The VIN of a vehicle shows the car's specifications as indicated by the manufacturer. It is the most reliable method to look up a car's specs since it does not contain any alteration. The 4th to the 8th characters provide details on the specification as shown below:

4th character - Shows the safety features of a vehicle
5th character - Shows the vehicle model
6th and 7th character - Shows the body style
8th character - Indicates engine type and capacity

Can I Check My VIN Number Online in Kansas?

Yes, you can check your VIN online in Kansas through the portal of the state DMV or on other third-party websites. In addition, national websites such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Insurance Crime Bureau website (NICB) are also available for VIN lookup in Kansas.

VIN checks on non-governmental platforms might be inaccurate, although the premium ones may come close. Therefore, government-owned and paid websites are the best portals to check your VIN online.

Can You Track a Car by VIN Number in Kansas?

Tracking a car by its VIN is a two-way issue since it is possible and a bit impossible simultaneously. The VIN of a vehicle will help law enforcement officers easily trace the owner when found, but it cannot be used to trace the car from the onset.

VINs are just characters used to identify a vehicle and do not have any connectivity feature. Moreover, cars include other parts for tracking and monitoring purposes. Therefore, vehicle owners should install monitoring devices to ensure proper tracking during theft.

Can You Tell Engine Size by VIN Number?

One of the information indicated by a VIN is a vehicle's engine size. The 8th character, usually an alphabet, represents the engine type in the car and its capacity. Any standard alphabet can be used as the 8th character. However, the commonest ones are as follows:

Capital A - Petrol engines of 1.6L or lesser
Capital B - Petrol engines between 2.0L to 2.5L
Capital C - Petrol engines of more than 3.0L capacity
Capital D - Diesel engines
Capital E - Electric vehicles engines
Capital F - Hybrid-fuel engines

If the VIN of your car contains a letter different from the ones listed above, you can check online for the meaning or look into the car manual to interpret it. However, it is advisable to understand the VIN of your vehicle to save yourself from stress when it develops a fault.