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Arizona’s Dealer Title Branding Rules
Arizona enforces robust title-branding and dealer disclosure regulations to prevent the resale of unsafe or misrepresented vehicles. These rules, governed by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) under A.R.S. §28-2091 through §28-2096, require dealers to disclose branded titles and verify vehicle history before any retail sale.
Arizona participates fully in the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS), ensuring that branded titles — such as salvage, restored salvage, flood, and non-repairable — are promptly reported and visible nationwide to protect both consumers and legitimate dealers.
Purpose of Arizona’s Branded Title Law
The Arizona branded-title law combats “title washing” and strengthens consumer trust in used-vehicle transactions. It ensures that all title brands are documented and disclosed, aligning state requirements with federal NMVTIS standards.
- Transparency: Dealers must disclose all branded titles and known damage to buyers in writing.
- Consumer Protection: Prevents unsafe or flood-damaged vehicles from being resold as clean titles.
- Data Accuracy: Synchronizes Arizona’s title records with NMVTIS for national brand visibility.
Key Provisions of Arizona Dealer Compliance
| Provision | Dealer Obligation | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Branded Title Disclosure | Disclose if a vehicle carries a salvage, restored salvage, or non-repairable title. | A.R.S. §28-2091 |
| NMVTIS Verification | All title transactions are automatically verified through NMVTIS by ADOT MVD. | A.R.S. §28-2093 |
| Restored Salvage Inspection | Salvaged vehicles must pass a Level III inspection before being titled as restored salvage. | A.R.S. §28-2094 |
| Dealer Recordkeeping | Keep NMVTIS reports, inspection results, and buyer disclosures for three years. | A.R.S. §28-4536 |
| Consumer Disclosure Notice | Buyers must receive written notice if a vehicle has a branded or salvage title. | A.R.S. §28-2095 |
| Penalties | Non-compliance may result in civil fines, license suspension, or revocation. | A.R.S. §28-5104 |
How Arizona Uses NMVTIS Data
The Arizona MVD relies on NMVTIS to verify title status and total-loss history before issuing or transferring any title. This ensures accurate brand reporting and prevents fraudulent “clean title” transfers.
- Every Arizona title issuance automatically queries NMVTIS for brand verification.
- Salvage, rebuilt, and non-repairable titles are updated in NMVTIS within 48 hours.
- Consumers and dealers can access verified NMVTIS data through providers like VinAudit.com.
Open a VinAudit Dealer Account to generate official NMVTIS reports, verify branded titles instantly, and maintain compliant records for every sale. VinAudit’s dealer tools support bulk VIN checks, API integrations, and automated report archiving — all aligned with Arizona MVD and NMVTIS requirements. Create your Dealer Account →
Dealer Compliance Checklist
- Verify every vehicle’s title history using ADOT MVD or NMVTIS-integrated tools.
- Provide written disclosure for any branded or rebuilt title before the sale.
- Ensure Level III inspection clearance for restored salvage vehicles.
- Maintain NMVTIS and disclosure records for at least three years.
- Integrate NMVTIS checks into your DMS using VinAudit’s API or batch system.
- Regularly train staff on title verification and disclosure compliance.
Pro Tip: Conduct quarterly internal audits of your disclosure and NMVTIS records to stay audit-ready with ADOT MVD.
Penalties and Enforcement
Arizona enforces its title-branding and disclosure laws through the ADOT MVD Dealer Licensing Unit and the Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud Division. Dealers who fail to comply may face:
- Civil fines up to $2,500 per violation.
- Suspension or revocation of MVD dealer license.
- Denial of title processing privileges for repeat offenders.
- Possible fraud charges for intentional misrepresentation.
Relation to NMVTIS and Other State Laws
Arizona’s seamless NMVTIS integration aligns closely with California AB 1215, Oregon SB 840, and Texas Dealer Compliance. Unlike states that require manual NMVTIS checks, Arizona verifies titles automatically through ADOT’s systems, achieving the same high standard of data transparency and consumer protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Arizona dealers need to run NMVTIS reports manually?
What qualifies as a branded title in Arizona?
Who enforces Arizona’s branded-title rules?
When can a restored salvage vehicle be sold?
Get Started with VinAudit for Dealers
Join thousands of licensed dealers nationwide who use VinAudit to simplify NMVTIS compliance and title verification. With batch VIN processing, automated NMVTIS reporting, and secure recordkeeping, VinAudit helps Arizona dealers stay compliant and customer-ready year-round.
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Related Resources
- Texas Dealer Compliance & Branded Title Law
- Oregon SB 840 Dealer Compliance
- California AB 1215 Dealer Compliance
- What Is NMVTIS? A Complete Guide
- NMVTIS Dealer Compliance Checklist
Stay compliant: Verify every title using an official VinAudit NMVTIS Vehicle History Report before resale.
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