Arizona describes Level I as the basic inspection used to match the vehicle identification number to the ownership documents and establish the identity of a vehicle when required.

What the inspector reviews

• The public VIN and other identifying information required for the inspection.
• Whether identifying numbers appear consistent and show signs of alteration or tampering.
• Whether the VIN shown on the ownership documents or Arizona record matches the vehicle.
• Body style, fuel type or other vehicle information when that is the reason for the inspection.

What a Level I is not

• It is not an emissions test.
• It is not automatically required for every out-of-state transfer.
• It does not replace a Level II or III when the vehicle has a VIN-integrity, salvage or other issue requiring ADOT Enforcement.

An abandoned vehicle is handled through a separate Arizona process. The inspection identifies the vehicle before the Abandoned Vehicle Unit completes its ownership-notification process.

Before using the abandoned-vehicle process

• The vehicle generally must have been abandoned on the property for more than 10 days.
• It cannot simply be a vehicle you purchased or received as a gift without proper title paperwork.
• Different rules apply when a repair, storage or other written/verbal contract exists.
• Self-storage, towing-company and repair-facility situations can have different requirements.

The general process

1. Complete the current Abandoned Vehicle Application.
2. Have the required vehicle inspection completed.
3. Submit the application and applicable MVD filing fee to the Abandoned Vehicle Unit.
4. MVD sends notice to the owner, lienholder and other interested parties before ownership can be transferred.

A bonded-title application starts with an inspection because Arizona first needs to establish exactly what vehicle is being claimed before ownership and lien research begins.

Bring everything you have

• Bill of sale or purchase paperwork.
• Old title, registration, MCO or other ownership documents, even if incomplete.
• Information about the seller or prior owner.
• Receipts or component documentation if the vehicle or trailer was built or significantly reconstructed.

After inspection, the bonded-title process can involve record research, owner/lienholder notifications, valuation and the purchase of a surety bond before the final title transaction.

Homemade trailers are one of the common transactions that require an inspection. Depending on how the trailer was built and what identification already exists, an Arizona Special Serial Number may also be required.

Bring documentation for the build

• Receipts, invoices or bills of sale for materials and major components.
• Any prior title, VIN, serial number or donor-vehicle information that exists.
• The trailer’s dimensions and declared-use/weight information needed for title and registration.
• Any supporting ownership documentation showing how you acquired the trailer or its major components.

Mobile homes are often inspected at their current location because moving the unit solely for an inspection is impractical and, in some transactions, the home cannot legally be moved until other ownership or tax requirements are satisfied.

What we need to identify

• Manufacturer/VIN information for each titled section.
• Year, make and mobile-home identification details.
• Any title, registration or ownership documentation available.
• Whether the transaction involves a standard transfer, bonded title, abandoned unit or affixture issue.

Arizona requires an inspection of a vehicle recorded as cab & chassis for body-style verification before renewing the registration for the upcoming year.

Why the inspection matters

• Confirms whether the vehicle is still correctly classified as cab & chassis.
• Documents a completed body such as a flatbed, box body, service body or other conversion when applicable.
• Allows the MVD record to be corrected when the body style has changed.

Arizona specifically identifies a Level I inspection situation for 1980-model-and-older motor homes when the motor-home coach number was recorded as the VIN.

Why older RVs can be confusing

Before the standardized modern VIN system, a motor home may carry identifying numbers from both the chassis manufacturer and the coach/body manufacturer. If the wrong number ended up on the title or MVD record, an inspection can be used to identify the vehicle and support the correction.

• Bring the current title and/or registration.
• Make sure the chassis VIN and coach/manufacturer labels are physically accessible.
• Bring any older ownership records that help establish how the vehicle has been identified historically.

An inspection can be required when the identifying characteristics of the physical vehicle and the MVD record do not agree.

Examples Arizona specifically identifies

• Body style was modified or entered incorrectly.
• Odometer reading was entered in error and the correction requires vehicle verification.
• Fuel type is incorrect, such as a record showing gasoline when the vehicle is diesel.
• A second fuel type has been added and the record needs to reflect the vehicle correctly.

EZ Title performs qualifying Level I inspections. Level II and Level III inspections are performed by certified ADOT Enforcement & Compliance officers at designated inspection locations.

Common reasons for referral beyond Level I

• The VIN or federal label is missing, altered, tampered with or illegible.
• A foreign-state or foreign-country title carries certain repaired, salvage or damage brands.
• The vehicle is restored salvage or otherwise requires a higher-level inspection under the record.
• Secondary/confidential VIN or major component identification must be verified.