Last Updated on August 18, 2022
Regardless of why you want to find your old car, you’ll be happy to know it’s not an impossible task. That said, the speed and efficiency of your search depends on whether or not you have the vehicle identification number (VIN).
We’ll tell you how to find a car you previously owned by using the VIN, as well as how to search when you don’t have it.
OPTION 1: With the VIN
Like social security numbers, each vehicle has a unique VIN that allows you to access all sorts of information about it. You also need the VIN to register a vehicle in any state and get car insurance.
To use the VIN to find your old car, perform a vehicle history check using an online VIN decoder. These tools are mainly used for when you’re buying a used car but are great in locating previous cars as well. While there are some free ones, they will only tell you basic information such as make, model, and vehicle options.
To get more detailed information including: mileage, accidents, service records, owners, and general location of the vehicle, you’ll need to pay for a report using a service like CarVertical or CarFax. You can use this information to help figure out where the vehicle currently is.
CarFax is the older and more well-known service but CarVertical is a newer kid on the block and often provides more detailed information and at a much lower cost ($19.99 vs $39.99) for a single report. For outside the US, CarVertical is usually the best option.
While the vehicle history report won’t state the specific location of your vehicle, it will narrow down your search to its current city and state. Since the report will contain the name of the current owner, you can trace and contact them on social media to discuss seeing the car.
In addition to using a premium VIN decoder site, you can use various search engines to find your old vehicle. Enter the VIN (with parenthesis around it) into every search engine you know (Google, Bing, Yahoo, Duck Duck Go, and others) and click the search button.
You may get a search result that brings you a step closer to finding your old vehicle. Even if you don’t get useful results on your first try, keep trying periodically until you do.
Can’t the DMV website tell me who owns my car and where it is?
The DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) database does have that information, but you can’t legally access it without proper authorization due to the federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) of 1994. While this restriction might seem inconvenient, it protects you and everyone else from unwanted persons accessing sensitive information.
But if you REALLY want to get around this, you can hire a licensed private investigator which may be exempt from the DPPA. The investigator will usually be able to obtain this information from the DMV when requested under certain well-defined purposes. See The Lost Car Registry for more info.
What if I can’t remember the VIN?
If you don’t remember your old vehicle’s VIN, there are ways to find it, such as:
#1 – Old Documents
When you owned the vehicle, you handled several documents that had the VIN on it, like registration papers, loan documents, insurance cards, and others. You might still have one of these documents at home, work, or even with your mechanic.
If you were ever in an accident with the vehicle, you’ll likely have a police report that contains the VIN. Once you find a document that contains your old VIN, you’re one step closer to locating your car or truck.
#2 – Old License Plate Number
With the license plate number of your old vehicle, you can get its VIN from your state DMV. The DMV will use the plate number to find the vehicle in their database and provide you with the VIN upon your request.
#3 – Driver’s License Number
The DMV keeps record of every vehicle you’ve registered under your license number, even if you’ve moved out of state and have a new driver’s license. They’ll be able to provide you the VIN number by showing your license.
#4 – Contact Your Auto Insurer
The auto insurer for your old car can give you its VIN. Before you can get the information, you’ll need to provide identification and some personal details. After proving your identity, the company should provide you with the VIN.
#5 – Bill of Sale
Whenever you sell a vehicle, a simple bill of sale document is created and signed by both parties. In it, the vehicle VIN is almost always noted. Check your files at home for a copy of this document.
If you can’t find the VIN anywhere, then you can try option two.
OPTION 2: Without the VIN
Without your old vehicle’s vehicle identification number, you can’t run any database checks. In this case, you have to find the car or ask the person you sold it to or someone who knows the current owner to reveal the vehicle’s location.
How can you find a car you previously owned without a VIN?
#1 – Post Advertisements
You can post ads online and offline to get the attention of the vehicle’s current owner or someone else who’s seen the car. The ad must contain as many details as possible, such as the vehicle make, model, year, color, engine type, and other distinctive features.
To get results quickly, place the ad in the vehicle’s last known location. Even if the vehicle has moved, someone in the area might contact you with useful information. It also helps if your ad states why you are looking for the vehicle. Otherwise, people might be wary about responding.
#2 – Contact the Buyer
If you have the details of the person who bought the car, you can contact them to ask if they still have it or have details about who bought it from them. If you have a name, you can run an online search for a social media account or phone number to contact the person.
#3 – Use Online Forums
On platforms like The Lost Car Registry, you can post details and photos of your long lost vehicle. Members who have information about your old vehicle will share it.
In addition, many makes and models of cars have their own unofficial online forums for enthusiasts. Sites like BimmerForums.com, AudiWorld.com, Honda-Tech.com, and CorvetteForum.com are a few popular ones.
#4 – Facebook Groups
Like online forums, there are many private Facebook groups for automotive enthusiasts of a particular car manufacturer or model. You’ll usually have better results finding a less common car that’s popular with enthusiasts like an E30 BMW M3. If you’re looking for an old Toyota Corolla, your odds locating it through a group or forum will be pretty low.
Do you have a search method we didn’t mention? Tell us about it in the comments.
Back in 1973 I had a dark blue 1964 Impala SS. And I lived in Spring Park minnesota. 2door 327 vette engine I bought it from Viking Chevrolet on Highway 65 in Fridley, which now is Friendly Chev.
in 1985 i was given a 1973 ss nova. bright yellow with a black stripe going down the side. sulphur springs texas is where i left it in 1989 with a black front driver side fender. would really love to locate this vehicle.
Help me found my red equinox 01 plates read _ _ _ 4444 in Michigan
In 1973 I owned a 1964 Chevy II nova. I traded it in to a dealership in Fenton, MI. I was 18 years old. It was red and a 3-speed on the column. It was a 2-door and original color was light blue but my dad painted it bright red for me. He was a sprayer for Fisher Body. I’ve always regretted trading it in because I traded it for a 1973 AMC Gremlin 2-door brown 3 speed on the column. UGH!! I didn’t appreciate what I had. How can I find my car? I’d buy it now if I could find it.
Back in the 60’s my dad gave me my grandfather’s 1951 chevy. It was a cream colored beige 4 dr sedan fleetline. I would love to buy it back. I traded it in at Sl Beets Pontiac dealer in Ottawa Ks….
Looking for my old Bright Red 2000 Chevy Cavalier. My mom bought this when I was a year old and sold it to a neighbor when I was 18. It has been around pretty much all my life and I would love to track it down and find it so I could maybe buy it back. The VIN is 1G1JC1242Y7304069 if anyone is able to find it pleass contact my gmail: chaseyoung2016@gmail.com. Thanks!
I bought a 1967 Camaro back in 1972 from Ryan Chevrolet sales in west memphis,ar. It was metallic blue with dark vynal top and hail damage on the hood.charles and Margie wards took my car and they’re the last ones that I seen with it.
We are all getting older and nostalgic about vehicles we had previously owned for sentimental reasons because it either reminds us of-
our first date
we had fun with it
it was our first car
we had our first experience in it, you know what I am talking about.
reminded us of our youth we did not appreciate at the time
there are countless reasons that we all have one.
I am in the same boat.
Good luck to you all.
I had a 1973 silver gray hatchback chevy Vega that I customized with headers, air shocks, largest hood scoop if could find from the JC Whitney catalog and Flames painted around the front and rear wheel wells with the American flags around the bottom of the doors and around the rear hatch back. It looked like a street dragster but had the factory 4 Cylinder Engine..lol. Many guys wanted to race so I used to floor it for the 1st. 1/4 mile and then ease off to let them pass. Little did they know that it was all show and no go. The car was silver gray with the real wide black factory stripes that ran from the front to the back. I am sure this is hopeless to find that car. I was living in Richfield, Minnesota when I sold it it 1976.
Please contact me at garyhemraj@hotmail.com if you have it or just want to shoot the breeze.
In 1978 I had a 1964 Plymouth 4 door Fury. White with a wrecked front left finder. It had a knock in the engine. Bad tinted job on back window. Large Plymouth letters on each side on back quarters.
Looking for 1974 British Racing Green TR6 that my dad sold in Maryland about 10 years ago. Interior is brown leather. It was in excellent condition. I have the VIN number.
63solstice@gmail.com
Searching for my father’s 1970 Mustang Mach 1, Grabber green, had unique stripes from factory on side.
Looking for my dads 1965 GTO 2 door hard top. Factory gold with black interior. Vin number is 237375k107187. Last seen Laketown Utah in late 1973. Finders fee paid
Sold my 79 dodge magnum XE GT. With the original 360 magnum engine. All white with red gt stripe that went down sides and over roof. Had gt lettering in stripe next to rear courtesy windows and red interior with wood grain console and gauge cluster. Whoever bought this car would have purchased it from RUSK AUTO SALES in Mansfield or Mahomet Illinois. I was told it went down south somewhere in Tennessee. Would love to hear from someone who knows about this car.
Looking for a 1968 Chevelle Malibu was second owner black on black vin 136378K168708 will pay a finders fee for the car. Car was in warsaw indiana at a dealers lot in 2001 or 2002 last time i saw it. Would like to buy it and if its not for sale at least look at it. thanks, appreciate any effort it finding this vehicle.
looking for my dads 1971 VW Square back yellow, he painted it himself. Lowered with a hood bra. He sold it about 15 years ago in California, he thinks in Rancho Cucamonga. Tinted windows with a glass pack on the exhaust. Please contact if you know anything. I should have the vin soon.
Looking for my 75 Camero. I traded it for a Jeep CJ7 back in around 1990-1992. I believe up north in PA. My Camero was all black with mag wheels, automatic and spoiler. If you still have it…please contact me.
7/5/20
In Mid 1964, I owned a 1963 Chevy Impala SS Black with Black
Interior. It had a 425 h.p., 4speed
with a 3:36 posi rear. I traded it in
In Mid 1964 at Reedman Chevy in
Langhorne, Pennsylvania.
If any one knows it’s whereabouts
or history, I would appreciate a
an email.
Thank You,
Don G. Ledgard
Looking for my first car again, Some time back in 1979 I traded my citrus green 1970 camero in at Bob Lowry chevy in Mcconnellsburg, Pa. it had a 250ci. And 3 speed on the floor , green interior, love to get back , Thanks
I Graduated from college and bought a brand new 1974 Plymouth Satellite Sebring Sundance Axtec gold white top with sunroof my first new car. Purchased it from Cobb motors in Norfolk Nebraska would love to locate it if its still around
Looking for my dads old yellow 1979 ford f100 shortbox stepside it had a 302 v8. He sold it around Hutchinson Minnesota years ago.
looking for any info on a pink with black on the sides of a 1957 2 door Pontiac Chieftain that was sold from Picayune Mississippi. It had engine problems.
1997 Ford Ranger · Red- XL 155,000 Current miles, manual transmission
Hello everyone. I’m currently looking for a truck that I used to own. It’s a 1997 Ford Ranger (red) base model- gray interior, manual trans, no sliding rear window, no ac, with possibly a red grill (instead of gray). It recently sold to someone in the Salt Lake City, Utah area (South Salt Lake I believe). I bought the truck brand new when I was 18. I would love to see how it looks today. The vin # is: 1FTCR10A3VUC15812. If you’ve seen this truck, or know who owns it, please feel free to reach out to me. I would love to see a picture of it! The truck was previously in/around the Sacramento, CA area for the last 20 years until recently being sold to someone in Salt Lake. I can provide a lot more details about the truck if needed. Thank you!
Craig a Farrell
Hi. I am trying to get the vin# of a vehicle I owned and traded for different vehicle in 2013. It was a Pontiac Vibe. I can’t remember the year.
thanks
Do you have any old insurance or registration documents? Those should have the VIN. You also may be able to call the DMV (or equivalent office). Perhaps they have a record they could share with you.
I am trying to find my grandpa’s red 1963 split-window Corvette. I think he sold it in the late ’60s or early ’70s. There is no information on it. The last time my family every heard of the corvette was when my grandparents got a speeding ticket in the mail that was from Cleburne, Texas which is about an hour south of were my grandparents live.(Keller, Texas)
IM looking for my wifes first car she owned back in 1974 -1976
It was a 1971 Chevelle ss ,White with Black Top and Black Strips
It was an Automatic on the floor
It was traded in back in 1976Nw York
My Wife is termily ill now and would love to see it one last time
I’m sorry to hear about your wife. Good luck on your search.
Trying to find my red 1968 ford f100 truck I sold it in choctaw ok
mwhaysales@gmail.com
Im looking for my old 1970 Mustang, it is a coupe, not a fastback. I sold it in December 2010. I owned that beast for 21 years. I was forced to sell it. I would love to buy it back. I don’t remember the VIN#, but i sold it when i lived in Easton, pa.
Seems like hiring a Private Investigator to find it would be worthwhile.
Don’t laugh too hard, but I probably have a picture of my old car’s license plate as the tow truck was driving away, but I don’t have the VIN # which is all I needed. It was totaled in 2010 and I would like to add it to the GM/Saturn ignition switch lawsuit. Despite the MAJOR pain in the butt ignition switch problem, I LOVED that car. It was a manual transmission, which was the only reason the ignition switch didn’t kill me as it would randomly shut off when driving it or not start when needed. It was not very old and had less than 100K miles on it. I don’t live in the state where it was totaled anymore. Not sure that they would give me the VIN.
Hi, I am looking for my old Nissan 300zx. VIN was JN1CZ14S2JX202452. Looks to be around Hixson or Knoxville, TN area. If you have it and want to sell please reach out, I’d like to buy it back!
In the 80’s my dad was a mechanic. He passed away just a few years later. He restored a 1969 Hurst Olds that he loved. Due to our financial situation he was forced to sell it to take care of our family.
I have no interest in any other Hurst Olds as I am not a car buff. I’m just wondering if anyone knows a way to track it down. The car was sold in the 80’s by DAVID TORRES from Yonkers, NY. I believe it was sold to another mechanic maybe in Scarsdale/Hartsdale NY. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Update: may have been sold to a man in Long Island not Westchester
I’m looking for my dads old 68 Dodge Charger. My Grandpa sold it for him in 1973 in Seattle, when my dad moved to California. It was white with mag wheels. The driver had been replaced with a a red one that my dad had a friend repaint it, although the red was bleeding through when my dad left, he banged the door into a pole. It had a 383 with factory Exhaust headers, which he had to Jack up the car to change the plugs. A CB antenna. Unfortunately I don’t know much else as my dad doesn’t remember much else. No vin and no plate.
Have you every watched gone in 60 sec? Ok, so my question is. Is there a way to lookup say EVERY 1973 Camaro Currently registered in a state without VIN or Plates ?
Not that I’m aware of. I don’t think that information is public.
I’m looking for a 1973 chevelle ss. Sold in the Denver Colorado 1997. Maroon with silver on the bottom and black interior. Please help!
this is a really nice site…love the requests etc… michael in orcutt, calif.
ps. a dark blue ’65 chevy van last seen in santa barbra. had a hot rod eng adn trans set up and the interior made it into Van and Truck Magazine back in aprox. 1975.
thought about going down there adn just cruising the wrecking yards for the fun of it.
Update: the van was last seen in s.b. around 1978…thx!
1942 2 door Studebaker convertible back sometime in the middle 70s I owned this car it was someone’s idea of what they thought a 2 door convertible should look like if Studebaker had made one the car was all fiberglass and body was a bit ruff but it drove well with its 327 Chevy V8 and a 4 speed. I would like to find the car and possibly get it back in my possession in what ever conditions it’s in. Thank you. Scott in California
1942 2 door Studebaker convertible was sold to a general man named Danny Gates in Palo Alto California. Back in the middle 1970s and I think he was going to be moving to somewhere in New York this car was someone’s idea of what Studebaker would have built. It’s all fiberglass and was in ruff shape but it ran at the time. If anyone has information on the car I would love to get it and try to bring it back to my family. But if it’s not for sale I would love to get a bunch of pictures of it thank you. I’ve been looking for this car for over 35 years
Looking for my dads old 1999 GMC Yukon Denali. Its on a 12 inch lift, 36’s, 2 tone paint (orange and silver) Orange on top and Silver on the bottom. Has Smoked Taillights. Custom interior as well, sorta a maroon color. Last seen in Howard City/Indiana area around 2012-14. If you have any details, my instagram is @gen1eclipse2.0
1973 Dodge Charger · Coupe · Driven 7,777 miles
Update the car could have been yellow before being spray painted black
My dad passed away recently, he owned a Black 1973 Dodge Charger possibly with a white top about 30 years ago in Rayville, Louisiana. I would like to track down this car and restore it in his memory. I don’t have any information other than who he sold it to william or Bill Prince and he has passed away also. I dont know if this is allowed, but any information or ideas would be helpful.
Check Obituaries for the buyer’s living relatives. One of them will probably have it or know where it went.
I am looking for a 1973 Dodge Charger, my daddy had when he was a teenager. He passed away recently and i have no VIN and no information other than his Drivers License but the DMV won’t run it and see if the car shows up. Any ideas?
I am in search of any information that might lead to finding the 1966 Dodge Charger that my Dad bought for my oldest brother in March of 1981. They were fixing the charger up when my brother unexpectedly died in September of that year. The car stayed in the family for many years after my brothers death but my dad eventually had to sell it because of financial issues. I have a very little information about the car but was wandering if there is any help of where I need to start.
So I had a 1967 Ford Thunderbird that I owned for 12 years had my car in Jackson area and got it towed to cork ST. Auto to finish installing my 750 Holly carburetor i asked for a tune up and break repair as well as tires and ignition switch they where all up for the job but yet got to my car or even looked at it cuz I never got a call for cost so me and my wife found are selfs taking turns calling and leaving voice messages to the voice machine and to the the desk assistant as well as driving up there to check in on the car and they where closed when we did get in touch he says he’ll get to it after his vacation ok…. but he’s closed for almost through this hole covid-19 season then boom get a crazy call from a guy who works for road side saying they towed it all because vehicle has been abandoned…. yeah I said it I even came there and put a brand new car cover on it but im abandoning 12 years of hard work that’s @%@$$ and the worst part is that they had it towed and auction off so I’m trying to get my baby back a black, chrome trim 1967 Ford Thunderbird 390 block 427 Tork Black leather seats with a soft top that was only a 2 door car with a CD player in the glove box oh and it has a rust spot right on the front hood place it was auction from was Gramstowing off of lover’s lane in Portage Michigan can anyone help me in this new millennium thefts it will be truly grateful in these hard time’s Thank you and stay blessed
I’m looking for my vehicle that my ex forced me to sell to Carmax at Maplewood, MN and they put up for auction at Brooklyn Park, MN. I want to know who bought it? Would love it back.
It’s a 2012 Lexus CT200H White Pearl Modified with full body kit, 2 spoliers, downpipe twin exhaust, 18″ white rims with silver lip. Lowered. Thanks.
Can you validate a 13 digit vin?
and is it free? honestly free?
We do not, but there is information online on how you can actually do this yourself for free. See the following links for more information:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_identification_number#Check-digit_calculation
https://vin.dataonesoftware.com/vin_basics_blog/bid/112040/use-vin-validation-to-improve-inventory-quality
https://formvalidation.io/guide/validators/vin/
The answer you’re looking for may depend on what exactly you mean by “validation”. That last link is a JavaScript library for validating that each character is correct for its given position, but may not be detailed enough to tell you if a given code was used by a certain manufacturer. If you have a specific vehicle in mind, you should also be able to run it by the manufacturer to check that it is valid.
I’m looking for a green 1971 cutlass supreme convertible. Green leather interior. Automatic top, automatic transmission, air conditioned, am radio with an eight track tape player mounted on the floor. Sold in Kent Ohio approximately 15 years ago. My father was the original owner. It was sold after his death via eBay without my knowledge. It was original everything at the time of sale. Any suggestions on how to track it down would be greatly appreciated.
I am looking for my first car to see if it is still running
1978 Cameron lt matilic blue old plate res 150
I am looking for my dad’s Mitsubishi Eclipse GT 2000, my mom forcefully made him sell it and it was the only car my dad ever got to choose and he loved it. I’m trying to get it back for him and looking around. It has silver exterior, black interior, 3.0L v6 engine, 5 cylinder, manual, lowered about 2 inches, custom CEIKA GT/2 rims, red caliper, brake discs with holes, black rearview mirrors. It was last seen in 2014 in Orlando FL. Please help me find this beauty, my dad really misses this car and I want to see him happy again.
I am looking for my 1968 AMC Javelin. I purchased the vehicle new in December of 1967 in Des Moines Iowa. It was Matador Red with black interior. The engine is the 290 CID V8 with 4 speed manual transmission. The stock exhaust system was removed and Sidewinder pipes were mounted along the rocker panels. I had white AMC AMX stripes added. Creager SS Mag wheels, Racing hold down pins were added to the hood along with bullet shaped racing mirrors. I added an 8 track tape deck and an engraved tag on the dash that read RED BARON. I do not have the VIN or license numbers. I sold the car in 1970 to a used car dealership on East University in Des Moines Iowa.
Trying to locate a1979 Jeep Cherokee. Bought in 1979 and sold around 1991 in the North Phoenix. Az area. Was white with a mild lift, auxiliary gas tank and a rear tire rack with two jerry can holders. Our Son and I have lots of experiences with the car. He recently passed away and I would like to find the car as a memory of him. Thank you.
Looking for my dad’s 67 Camaro. Owned when he was attending San Marcos High School in San Marcos, TX (1967 possibly up to 1968). I believe my dad was the original owner. My grandfather made my father sell his car and I have always been curious about what happened to it. I don’t have a vin number or any paperwork.
The last time I saw this car was in October 1975 it was a Yellow 1968 Dodge Coronet 440 4 speed with a black hood. My friends brother Ricky Carlson from Mt. Greenwood, Illinois talked me out of the car. It was originally my husbands car, but he was killed in a car accident. There was a hand painted date I believe it was May 9, 1968. My husband painted that on the inside of the trunk. I never asked questions then, but I believe that is when he got the car. I moved out of state in 1978. I finally found Ricky Carlson and he told me he had the car for a month or two, his family thought the car was too fast, and made him get rid of it. He had it up for sale at a gas station he worked at in Mt. Greenwood. He never saw the car again, he said someone from the North side of Chicago bought the car. If you have this car or know someone who may have it, for sale or just to know what happened to the car Please message me. Thank you.
Is there anyway I can track down an old 1926 Model T by serial number?