Title Washing

Title washing is fraud in which a branded title vehicle is re-titled through states with different standards to eliminate the brand from the public record. Once washed, the vehicle can be sold as a clean title unit, deceiving subsequent buyers about its history.

Title washing is a risk dealers face when sourcing used inventory, particularly from unfamiliar sellers or informal channels. NMVTIS lookups and vehicle history reports can identify inconsistencies that may indicate washing. Dealers who inadvertently retail a washed title vehicle face significant legal and financial exposure.