The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System

January 04, 2010 @ 09:12 AM — by Reece Frazier

A nationwide database, administrated by the US Department of Justice and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, live as of January 1, 2010, is now available to consumers nationwide. This new system, dubbed the "Nation Motor Vehicle Title Information System" (NMVTIS) will protect consumers by accurately informing them if the used vehicle they wish to purchase has been "junked" or salvaged in the past. By requiring all states, insurance companies, and junkyards to report these vehicles into this system, potential car-buyers will be more informed about the vehicle they are about to purchase.

In a 2001 study the Justice Department reported that approximately 2.5 million cars are deemed a total loss each year. Of these, about 1.5 million are resold.

For more information about the NMVTIS system, please visit http://www.nmvtis.gov.

Source: "Car buyers get protection against rebuilt wrecks." The Chicago Tribune, January 3, 2010. - http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/automotive/chi-rides-title-0103jan03,0,3670252.story