How can I search my car's history?

[bbbentley]

I read with interest the post by Stefano about the scammers. One thread stated that the only way to buy a car is with documentation. I understand the importance, but here is my situation: I bought my car 33 years ago and it is the Real Deal. I recently decided to find out about previous owners. Here in Ohio, they only keep records back 7 years I am told! Further, because of privacy laws, I have to have previous owner's permission to get info. Since I have owned it so long, Ohio says they can not help me. The previous owner(briefly) was my best friend back in the day(and my best man at my wedding -82')I did not have the funds when I found the car and he bought it, put title in his name and basically gave car to me and said pay him when I got the money.I did pay him quickly, and at 18 did not realize the love affair I would have with this car and hold on to this car since 1980. I lived in Cincinnati area then and only thing I can recall is previous owner(guy who had car when I found it) had his cousin? in N.Ky remove engine. All other components including radiator,bellhousing,flywheel,trans,rear end are born with items. Any thoughts?

[elcamino72]

Ohio doesn't keep records for long as you found out. Your best bet is to find the guy that your buddy and you bought the car from or any relatives of his (if you can remember the guys name or street address perhaps you can look him up in the public records). If you can't find any of that information you are probably out of luck. If you think the car was registered in KY, you can try filing form # TC96-16A with the KY DMV and see what happens. Likely though they'll say those records were purged.

[Igosplut]

I called Ohio looking for history on my 70 Nova this fall. The guy I talked too understood perfectly what I was trying to do, but said he couldn't release any info without a signed affidavit from the owners of the car (obviously for their personal info) He was very helpful, and said he knew I was just researching the history of the car, but he never stated they didn't have records that old and I think he would have. I believe it's all who you talk to, and have heard from other people that they have been successful in retrieving older vehicle history from Ohio. If you have a friend in Law enforcement have them give it a try.......

[XXXGoldL34M20]

Read this link.
It may help you.

http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/189.cfm

[Postsedan]

More amazement of car guys helping car guys found her on sYc, <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/youguysrock.gif

Dan

[Canuck]

Here is the story about my Chrysler 300F bought back in July 2000. The story contains info on my success in tracking ownership.

http://vancouverclassiccars.com/VancouverClassicCars/Chrysler_300.html

Similar success with my 66 442


http://vancouverclassiccars.com/VancouverClassicCars/OLDSMOBILE_442_W30_18.html

[bergy]

Way to go Canuck - that's persistance!.........Some luck too.

[67rs/ss]

Go to the Ohio BMV website, then click on online services, then click title inquiry.
Then put in your vin in the vin box and see if anything comes up.

If this will work click link below and put in 124377N189703
https://ext.dps.state.oh.us/BMVOnlineServices.Public/TitleSearch.aspx

[Igosplut]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 67rs/ss</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Go to the Ohio BMV website, then click on online services, then click title inquiry.
Then put in your vin in the vin box and see if anything comes up.

If this will work click link below and put in 124377N189703
https://ext.dps.state.oh.us/BMVOnlineServices.Public/TitleSearch.aspx </div></div>

I typed the title number to my car in and the owners title (who I bought it from) came up from 1984 so the records DO go back farther than ten years.....

[ANDY M]

If a VIN in Ohio hasn't had a title for ten years, it drops out of the system. Since Ohio has a one time charge for historic tags, it is possible to find a car with more than ten years history.
If the car wasn't titled, good luck.

[Igosplut]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ANDY M</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-weight: bold">If a VIN in Ohio hasn't had a title for ten years, it drops out of the system.</span> Since Ohio has a one time charge for historic tags, it is possible to find a car with more than ten years history.
If the car wasn't titled, good luck. </div></div>

This car was last titled (and never re-titled) in Sept 1997