Vehicle History Reports in California
Get a comprehensive vehicle history report for any car registered or sold in California. Check for accidents, title brands, lemon law buybacks, flood damage, and more — starting at just $4.99.
0/17 characters — Free instant lookup, no account required
Consumer Protection
California Lemon Law
California has one of the strongest lemon laws in the nation, covering new and leased vehicles within 18 months or 18,000 miles. The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act also extends protections to used vehicles sold with a dealer warranty. Manufacturers must buy back or replace defective vehicles.
Title History
California Title Branding Rules
California brands titles as Salvage, Revived Salvage, Junk, Nonrepairable, Lemon Law Buyback, and Prior Salvage. A Lemon Law Buyback brand is permanently attached to any vehicle repurchased under the state's lemon law, providing critical transparency for used car buyers.
Official Resources
California DMV VIN Check
The California DMV provides VIN status checks online and in person. A Brake and Light Inspection is required for out-of-state and rebuilt vehicles. California also participates in NMVTIS for title brand reporting.
Insurance Rules
California Total Loss Threshold
California does not use a fixed percentage. Insurers apply the TLF method. However, California law requires insurers to provide a detailed written valuation when declaring a total loss.