HOW TO CHECK IF A CAR HAS A BRANDED TITLE IN FLORIDA
Use the Florida DHSMV Website
Florida’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) keeps an official database you can search.
Steps:
1. Go to: https://www.flhsmv.gov
2. Select “Motor Vehicles” → “Vehicle Information Check.”
3. Enter the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) — a 17-character code found on the dash near the windshield or on the registration.
4. Review the report — look for title brands like:
• Salvage
• Rebuilt
• Flood
• Lemon Law Buyback
• Junk
• Totaled
You will see whether the vehicle has ever had a Florida brand and sometimes when it was applied.
Use NMVTIS (National Motor Vehicle Title Information System)
This federal database aggregates title data from all U.S. states — including branding history, total loss records, and junk/salvage declarations.
Recommended Providers (official NMVTIS sources):
• vehiclehistory.gov (official site listing approved vendors)
• Paid reports from:
• AutoCheck
• Carfax
• NMVTIS.gov-approved partners (some as low as $4.95).
This is especially important if the car was titled in another state before Florida — because a car can move to Florida with an out-of-state brand already on record.
Ask the Seller for the Title
Physically inspect the paper title before buying:
•The brand is usually printed near the top or side (e.g., “Rebuilt,” “Flood,” “Salvage”).
• If it says “Clear,” it’s a clean title — but still verify through NMVTIS, since paper documents can be forged or outdated.
Check the Vehicle History Report
Use trusted VIN-check sites such as:
• Carfax.com
• AutoCheck.com
• VINCheckPro.com
• EpicVIN.com
These often include:
• Insurance total loss claims
• Flood damage reports
• Lemon Law buybacks
• Auction/salvage listings
How to Spot a Hidden Branded Title Before You Buy
Even before you pay for a report, look for red flags:
• Title issued in another state shortly after an accident or flood → possible title washing.
• Seller only provides a duplicate title → may be hiding a previous brand.
• Low price for the model/year → could signal branded history.
• Inconsistent paint, mismatched parts, or rust → often found on rebuilt or flood cars.
