Liens: is money still owed on it?
Equipment is often financed, and a lender’s lien can follow the machine to a new owner. Before you pay, search for a lien:
- In the United States, equipment liens are filed as UCC financing statements. Search UCC filings at the Secretary of State in the state where the seller is located.
- In Canada, search the provincial personal property registry (for example, British Columbia’s Personal Property Registry).
Theft: was it reported stolen?
Stolen equipment is common and, because most machines have no title, it can be resold more easily than a stolen car. Check before you buy:
- Search the National Equipment Register, the industry theft database.
- For on-road trucks and trailers, run a free NICB VINCheck.
- If anything looks off, contact local law enforcement, and never buy a machine with a ground-off or re-stamped serial.
Title and brand history (on-road units)
Trucks and trailers have titles that can be branded salvage, flood or rebuilt. Run an official NMVTIS report to confirm the title is clean, and check for open recalls at NHTSA.
Ownership proof for equipment (usually no title)
Most off-road equipment is not titled. Instead of a title, get the manufacturer statement of origin (MSO) and an unbroken bill-of-sale chain back to the first owner. Match the paperwork to the physical serial stamped on the frame.
Every MachVerity lookup includes this checklist tailored to the machine, with the official links, so you can verify each item in a few minutes before you hand over money.
Check a machine before you buy
Enter a serial or VIN for its identity, value, recalls and a due-diligence checklist. Free.
Frequently asked
Does heavy equipment have a title?
Most off-road equipment does not have a title the way a car does. Ownership is proven with the manufacturer statement of origin and a clear bill-of-sale chain. On-road trucks and trailers do have titles.
How do I check for a lien on equipment?
In the United States, search UCC financing statements at the Secretary of State where the seller is located. In Canada, search the provincial personal property registry.
How can I tell if equipment is stolen?
Check the National Equipment Register, run a free NICB VINCheck for on-road units, confirm the serial on the frame matches the paperwork, and treat any altered serial as a red flag.