How to Check if a Vehicle is in Mortgage Status?
3 Answers
You can first check whether there is any mortgage registration content in the motor vehicle registration certificate. If there is content indicating a mortgage, it means the vehicle has not been released from the mortgage. You can also go to the vehicle management department to inquire, but only the vehicle owner can make the inquiry. You need to go to the vehicle management office with the owner to check if there is a mortgage registration. Insurance companies can also check. If the vehicle is mortgaged, the beneficiary of the car insurance will be different. If it is a loan, the beneficiary will be the bank. You can directly go to the traffic police department to inquire about the mortgage status, ask someone you know to check, or check the vehicle's status online.
I just helped a friend look into this, and I have to say checking a vehicle's mortgage status is quite important, especially when buying a used car. The most straightforward method is to take the owner's ID card and the vehicle registration certificate to the local DMV office for an inquiry. The mortgage status is listed on the second page of the registration certificate—if it says mortgaged to a certain bank, then it is. I've also seen people use the Traffic Management 12123 app to check; after registering, you can see basic vehicle information, though it's not guaranteed to show mortgage status in every region. Another trick is to check the insurance policy, as the insurance company's system might have mortgage records too. If you're still not at ease, spending a few dozen yuan to have a third-party platform check is also an option; they can pull up the complete DMV records, including all previous mortgage records.
To be honest, I've done vehicle lien checks many times, and the easiest way is to look at the vehicle registration certificate (the big green book). Turn to the second page—if the bank name and date are printed in the lien registration section, it's definitely mortgaged. Another handy trick is checking via Alipay: go to the Civic Center, find the vehicle management section, and enter the license plate and VIN. Some cities display the status directly. If the seller is evasive and refuses to show the registration certificate, be extra cautious. Don’t rush to pay after checking; it’s best to personally visit the DMV to confirm, as some liens may not be updated online due to delayed filings. Also, the lien must be fully paid off before the title transfer—otherwise, the transfer won’t go through.
