* DMV Records (Department of Motor Vehicles): In many places, DMV records are accessible, but usually only with a court order or by the individual themselves. Even then, they often only show the current owner and might have incomplete historical records, especially for older vehicles. Privacy laws significantly restrict access to these records.
* Vehicle Registration History Services: Several private companies offer vehicle history reports (like Carfax or AutoCheck). These reports often include ownership history, but the data is not always complete or accurate, and they only go back as far as their records extend. They rely on data submitted to them, which is not necessarily comprehensive.
* Insurance Records: An individual's insurance records *might* show a history of vehicles insured, but access to this information is restricted by privacy laws and only available to the individual or with a court order.
* Tax Records: In some cases, tax records might reflect vehicle ownership, particularly if property taxes are tied to vehicle registration. However, this is not a reliable or readily accessible method for most people.
* Sales Records (Dealerships): If someone bought a car from a dealership, the dealership might have records, but this is unlikely to be accessible to the public and often only maintained for a certain period.
* Personal Records: The individual themselves is the best source of information. They might have kept records like purchase agreements, insurance policies, or registration documents.
In short: It's extremely difficult, if not impossible, to definitively find out every car someone has ever owned without their cooperation or a legal order. The information available is patchy and incomplete. Privacy laws strongly protect individuals' ownership information.
