• There are over 140,000 car accidents reported in the state of South Carolina every year. While some vehicles involved in these accidents sustain only minor cosmetic damage, some may have extensive structural problems that can compromise safety and performance.
• In recent years the state has been plagued with a variety of vehicle-related scams. Reported scams involve everything from dealer misrepresentation to title washing and odometer fraud. A simple VIN search may help identify potential issues not clearly visible to the naked eye.  
• A lot of the vehicles registered in the state of South Carolina have liens. Liens are generally added when there is a debt owed by the owner on the vehicle. Vehicle liens can range from standard auto loans to mechanic liens that stem from unpaid repair bills and storage fees. While those remain amongst the most popular types of vehicle liens, the vehicle could have a lien generated due to unpaid tax debt and legal fees. A simple title check can reveal most types of liens. It is vital to avoid buying a vehicle with an undischarged lien, as it may cause the buyer to lose the legal rights to the vehicle or unwittingly assume the previous owner’s debt.
• South Carolina has a 75% total loss threshold, which means when a vehicle sustains damage, whose repair cost is 75% or greater than its current value, it will most likely be declared as a total loss and be issued a branded title. Vehicles with branded titles like salvage, reconstructed, junk, lemon and flood tend to be less desirable on the used car market and can be worth as much as 40% less than similar clean-title vehicles. A title check can help identify title brands even when the brand was added out of state.
• Vehicle related fraud is a serious problem in the state of South Carolina that costs consumers millions of dollars every year. The most popular types of fraud include odometer rollback, VIN swaps and title washing.
• While vehicle thefts are decreasing, some reports show that in 2024 alone there were close to 15,000 auto thefts reported. A simple VIN-based check can help identify if the vehicle has been reported stolen or recovered after a theft event. You can get a better understanding of the vehicle’s past through a South Carolina title check by requesting a simple VIN-based report.