South Dakota VIN Lookup

Buying a used car in South Dakota can be a great way to save money. However, if not done correctly, it can lead to financial loss and frustration. In South Dakota, all used cars are sold "AS-IS," which means that the dealer is not responsible for any repairs after the sale unless a factory warranty still covers the vehicle or the dealer offers an in-house warranty. Although the state has lemon laws, they only apply to new cars, leaving little to no protection for consumers purchasing used vehicles. The lack of protection is concerning because the average cost of used vehicles in the state is $25,156, with only about 106 car dealers available.

Conducting a VIN lookup is a smart step when buying a used car in South Dakota. A VIN lookup shows the vehicle's history, including details about accidents, recalls, inspection records, and other important information.

Why Performing a South Dakota VIN Check Is Important?

A South Dakota Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique number given to every vehicle for identification. This number has up to 21 characters and includes a state code. You can use a South Dakota VIN to find important information about a car, such as its features, status, and history. By doing a VIN lookup, you can collect useful facts about a used car, helping you make a smart choice when buying it. You can find key details from a South Dakota VIN check, including:

• Registration and Title Verification: South Dakota Codified Laws Chapter 32 mandates that all vehicles operated in the state are duly titled and registered with the South Dakota Department of Revenue. Failure to do so can result in penalties, including 30 days imprisonment in a county jail, $500, or both. A VIN check can confirm a car's title and registration status, which will help you determine if the person selling the car has the legal right to do so.
• Odometer Verification: In addition to verifying that a used car has been duly registered and titled, a VIN lookup is also crucial for confirming the car's odometer reading. The vehicle title has information about the odometer, which you can find through a VIN lookup. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that more than 450,000 vehicles are sold each year with altered odometer readings.
• Title Brands: VIN checks show important details about a vehicle's title brand, condition, and possible risks. In the state, common title brands include salvage, recovered theft, and junk. If a vehicle has one of these titles, it means it has had major damage and repairs.
• Theft Checks: South Dakota has a car theft rate of 248 per 100,000 inhabitants. A VIN check can show if a car has been reported stolen. This helps you avoid legal problems and costs that can arise from buying stolen property.
• Auto Fraud Prevention: While auto-related fraud is not very common in South Dakota, there were about 122 such cases in 2021. However, the Federal Trade Commission has received over 100,000 complaints in the last four years about car sales, financing, warranties, and rentals. By checking the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), you can find problems like rolled-back odometer readings or fake titles, helping you avoid scams.

How To Perform a South Dakota VIN Check

South Dakota provides resources that can be used to perform VIN checks. These include:

South Dakota Department of Revenue:

The department provides a public tool that allows you to check a car's title and lienholder information by entering the unique VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). This tool displays key details, including the vehicle's title status, the date the title was issued, who it was issued to, and the names of any lienholders.

The NHTSA VIN Decoder:

You can check a vehicle's history using the NHTSA’s VIN Decoder. This tool gives you important safety information about the car. It includes details like the manufacturer, model year, where it was made, engine and transmission information, safety features, safety ratings, and any recalls. You can use either a full or partial VIN to perform these checks.

The NICB VINCheck Lookup:

The NICB VINCheck service helps you check if a vehicle has been stolen or salvaged. You will need the car's full Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to use this service. You can perform a maximum of five searches each day.

Free vs. Paid VIN Check Services in North Dakota

While government agencies provide free VIN checks, you might need to use a paid third-party website to obtain detailed vehicle information, particularly when purchasing a used car. Consider platforms like GoodCar, AutoCheck, Carmat, and Carfax, which offer premium VIN services for a fee. These platforms can provide you with the following information:

• Title details
• Title brands
• Ownership records
• Vehicle specifications
• Accident history
• Odometer/mileage verification
• Rebuild records
• Inspection records
• Service and maintenance records
• Safety defects and recalls
• Sales history
• NHTSA crash test ratings

What Used Car Scams Are Common in South Dakota?

Even though car scams are not very common in South Dakota, there is still a chance of getting scammed when buying a used car. Car dealers often feel pressure to make sales, and they can pass that pressure on to customers. In 2023, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) warned about a fake online car dealership using a false South Dakota address. This scammer took $40,000 from a victim for a car purchase. Some commonly used car-related scams in South Dakota include:

Cloned Vehicle Scams:

This involves using a legally registered VIN to hide the identity of a stolen or salvage vehicle.

Curbstoning:

This involves illegally selling used cars for a profit by unlicensed dealers posing as private sellers.

Odometer Rollbacks:

This scam alters a vehicle's odometer to make it appear less used and increase its market value.

Fake Vehicle Histories:

Providing fake accident reports or maintenance records to make the car appear well-maintained and more valuable than it is.

Used car scams are common and can cause serious financial losses and legal problems for buyers. To avoid becoming a victim of a used car scam in South Dakota, consider these steps:

• Have a clear idea of what you want to buy and plan your purchase ahead of time.
• Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.
• Conduct a VIN lookup using reputable sites like GoodCar.
• Request and review all documentation.
• Get a written warranty.

How Do I Check the Status of My Vehicle's Title in South Dakota?

The South Dakota Department of Revenue has a public tool that lets you check a car's title and lienholder information by entering the unique VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). This search provides details about the vehicle linked to the VIN, and it is usually free. Checking this information is important when buying a used car. It helps you confirm that there are no issues that could affect your ability to use, sell, or transfer the vehicle in the future.

How To Register a Brand New Car in South Dakota

In South Dakota, obtaining a title and registration for your new car is not only a legal requirement but also an important investment. The state allows owners of new and used motor vehicles, including motorcycles, a grace period of 45 days from the purchase date to transfer the title into their name. If the transfer is not completed within this period, a penalty of $1 per week will be applied for up to 26 weeks, after which a flat fee of $50 will be charged. Additionally, if the title transfer is delayed beyond 45 days, interest of 1% along with penalties will apply to the 4% vehicle excise tax, with further fees due on the 60th day after purchase. To register your new car, you will need to visit your local county treasurer’s office and provide the following documents:

• Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin
• Purchase agreement or valid bill of sales
• Odometer disclosure
• Driver's license
• Out-of-state dealer tax assessment. This is applicable if taxes were paid out of state at the time of purchase

Once these documents are ready, you can complete and submit an Application for Motor Vehicle Registration & Title, alongside the other documents, to your local county treasurer’s office. You or an authorized agent must sign the application. If it is signed by an authorized agent, a power of attorney document must be attached to the application form. Note that processing your titling and registration application will only commence after you pay the appropriate application fee. In South Dakota, registration fees are based on the age and weight of vehicles.

Does South Dakota Mandate Vehicle Inspection?

Generally, the state's Department of Revenue registers most vehicles without emission and inspection certification. However, per State law, any car that is rebuilt and restored to operation and motor vehicles, trailers, or semi-trailers of any age that have body and chassis from different vehicles combined to make one vehicle, which have parts changed, or which lack supporting documents with the application for title must be inspected by an employee of the Department of Revenue. The inspection assesses the car's condition to ensure compliance with the state's safety and environmental standards.

How Do I Get a Replacement VIN in South Dakota?

You may need to replace your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) in South Dakota if it is hard to read, damaged, or missing. The Department of Revenue issues replacement VINs. To get a new VIN, you must fill out an application form and submit it to your local county treasurer. The fee for a new VIN is twenty-five dollars, paid when you apply for a rebuilt title. After receiving your application, the treasurer will start the registration process and set up an inspection appointment with a Department of Revenue employee.

During the inspection, the official will check if the original VIN can be found. If they locate it, they will give you a replacement VIN that matches the original number. If they cannot find the original VIN, they will assign you a new VIN plate.

If you receive a VIN for a motor vehicle or trailer that weighs three thousand pounds or more, you must have someone from the department or a highway patrol member attach the number for you. If it's for a trailer that weighs less than three thousand pounds, you need to permanently attach the number to the neck of the trailer. Then, a department employee or any South Dakota law enforcement officer must confirm that it is attached properly using a specific form. Removing or changing the VIN, or failing to attach it correctly, is a Class 6 felony punishable by two years imprisonment or a fine of $4,000, or both.

Does South Dakota Require a VIN Inspection for Out-of-State Vehicles?

VIN inspections for out-of-state vehicles are not mandatory under South Dakota law. In fact, the state adopts whatever title regarding damage disclosure information of an out-of-state vehicle. For instance, if an out-of-state vehicle is designated as salvage, the owner shall receive a salvage title in South Dakota.

The only exception to the non-inspection of out-of-state vehicles is recovered stolen vehicles; in this case, the insurer or self-insurer must inspect the vehicle within forty-five days of recovery and apply for a new title.