Inspections

Level 1 inspection Services

• Level 1 Inspections for Abandoned Vehicles

  

  🔍 Level I Inspections: On-Site or At Your Door

  EZ Title is ADOT-authorized to perform Level I Inspections at all locations. No appointment is needed for in-office visits.

  Need us to come to you? 🏠 If your vehicle is an "Abandoned Vehicle" or simply isn't street-legal, it cannot be driven to our office. We offer off-site inspections by appointment to handle this at your location.

  Schedule Your Off-Site Appointment Here

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  Why do you need an inspection?

  An inspection is generally required to verify a vehicle’s identity or ownership. Common reasons include:

  • Ownership Issues: You lack ownership documents or are going through the Bonded Title process.

  • Vehicle Changes: The body style has been modified, or the fuel type (Gas vs. Diesel/Electric) needs updating in the MVD system.

  • Specialty Builds: Kit cars, trailers, reconstructed vehicles, or restored salvage.

  • Discrepancies: Fixing an incorrect VIN or odometer reading in the MVD records.

  • Abandoned Vehicles: Required for the specialized abandoned vehicle process.

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  What are we looking for? 📋

  Our agents perform a physical "VIN inspection" to ensure everything is legitimate:

  • VIN Plate: We check that the plate is intact, used the correct rivets, and hasn't been tampered with.

  • VIN Matching: We verify that the secondary VIN on the chassis matches the plate and your paperwork.

  • Required Equipment: Ensuring the vehicle meets Arizona Revised Statutes for its specific type.

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  🚨 Abandoned Vehicle Process

  The abandoned vehicle process is unique and strictly regulated. Since these vehicles cannot be driven legally, on-site inspections are required. Questions? Call our office to speak directly with an agent who understands the Arizona abandoned vehicle process inside and out.

• Level 1 Inspections for Homemade Trailers

  

  🛠️ Level I & Arizona Serial Number (VIN) Inspections

  EZ Title & Registration handles Level I and Serial Number inspections at ALL our locations. Walk in whenever you're ready, or we can come to you.

  Schedule an Off-Site Inspection Appointment 📅

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  Homemade Trailers: What You Need to Know

  If you built it yourself, Arizona requires a Special Serial Number to act as your VIN. We issue these on-site and perform the required inspection to get you registered.

   

   

  The Builder’s Checklist

  • Receipts: If your build cost more than $1,000, you must provide receipts for all materials.

     

     

  • Weights & Values: Have your total trailer weight (including max load) and estimated total value ready.

  • Documentation: List all components used on your AZ Special Serial Number Application.

  Required Equipment Standards

  Your trailer must meet these Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) height and safety specs to pass.

  Pro Tip: Measure from the ground to the center of the light or reflector.

  Equipment	Requirement / ARS
  Tail & Stop Lights	Mounted 15" to 60" high. Must be functional.
  Reflectors	Front: Amber/Yellow. Rear: Red. Mounted 20" to 60" high.
  License Plate Light	White light; must illuminate the plate only.
  Mud Flaps	Must be within 8" of the ground. (Single axle with fenders: 14" max).
  Safety Chain	Required for all trailers.
  Brakes	Required if over 3,000 lbs. (Over 6,000 lbs requires brakes on all wheels).

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  Trailer Size Limits

  • Width: Max 8' 6"

  • Height: Max 13' 6"

  • Length: Max 40' (including bumpers)

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  ⚠️ When to go to the State (Level II/III)

  We handle the standard stuff. You will need a Level II or III inspection (conducted by ADOT) if:

  1. You used a pickup truck frame or bed for the trailer.

  2. You used essential parts from a previously manufactured vehicle.

  3. Any existing VIN or serial numbers are altered, removed, or defaced.

• Level 1 Inspections for Bonded Titles

  🔐 Arizona Bonded Titles: We Handle the Hard Part

  If you bought a vehicle without a title, lost the paperwork before transferring it, or can’t find the previous owner, you likely need a Bonded Title. This process involves a surety bond that protects the state while allowing you to legally own and register your vehicle.

  EZ Title & Registration can manage this entire process for you. No guessing, no missed steps, no MVD headaches.

  Common Reasons You Need a Bonded Title:

  • Missing Paperwork: You bought a vehicle/trailer without a title or lost it before it was notarized.

  • Missing Owners: You can’t locate the previous owner to get a signature.

  • Lien Issues: A lien exists on the record, but the bank is out of business or can’t be found.

  • Homemade Trailers: You built a trailer worth over $1,000 but don't have all your material receipts.

  • Specially Constructed Vehicles: You’re building a custom ride without a dismantle permit or clear title.

  When a Bonded Title is NOT an Option:

  • Dealer Sales: If you bought from an Arizona dealer, they are legally required to provide a title.

  • Legal Disputes: Divorce, probate, or active repossessions.

  • Lien Sales: Vehicles sold via a towing or storage lien.

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  The EZ 4-Step Process

  1. Inspection & Research

  Every bond starts with a Level I Inspection at any of our offices. We’ll run a motor vehicle record (MVR) and a stolen vehicle inquiry to verify the vehicle's history.

  2. Certified Mailings

  You are required to send certified letters to any previous owners or lienholders on record.

  • Accepted Letter: You must wait 15 business days after they sign for the letter.

  • Unclaimed Letter: If it comes back unopened, we can move forward immediately.

  • Note: If a lienholder responds but refuses to clear the lien, the bond process stops and may require a court order.

  3. The Surety Bond

  Once your documentation is approved, we calculate the bond amount. This is typically 1.5x the retail value of the vehicle (based on NADA or similar guides). You’ll then purchase the bond from an insurance provider.

  4. Final Titling

  Bring us your inspection, certified letter results, and the bond. We’ll issue your title and registration on the spot. You must apply for the title within 30 days of getting your bond to avoid penalties.

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  💡 Pro-Tips for a Fast Approval:

  • Don't open returned mail. If your certified letter is returned as "unclaimed," do not break the seal. We must receive it unopened.

  • Check for liens first. If there is an active lien you didn't know about, we can't bond it until it’s cleared.

  • Mobile Homes: If you are bonding a mobile home, we must verify that no back taxes are owed and it isn't "affixed" to the land.

  Want us to take this off your plate? Contact an EZ Title Agent to Start Your Bonded Title Today

• Level 1 Inspections for Mobile Homes

  

  🏠 Mobile Home Level I Inspections

  Because of their size and legal requirements, mobile home inspections must be completed at the home's current location. EZ Title is ADOT-authorized to come to your site and perform the Level I inspection required for titling and registration.

  Schedule Your On-Site Mobile Home Inspection 📅

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  What We Verify During the Inspection

  The primary goal of a Level I inspection is to confirm the identity and safety of the unit. Our agents will examine the following:

  • VIN Plate Integrity: We check that the VIN plate is present, intact, and shows no signs of tampering.

  • Proper Attachment: We verify that the correct factory rivets were used to secure the VIN plate.

  • Paperwork Alignment: We ensure the VIN on your title or registration matches the physical numbers on the unit exactly.

  • Legal Equipment: We confirm the unit meets the specific equipment requirements set by Arizona Revised Statutes.

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  🚨 Special Cases: Abandoned Units

  If you are dealing with an abandoned mobile home, the process involves additional legal steps and strict ADOT oversight. Because these units cannot be moved until the process is complete, an on-site inspection is mandatory.

  Questions about the abandoned process? Don't guess. Call our office to speak with an agent who can walk you through the specific requirements to get the unit legally titled in your name.

• Level 1 Inspections for Cab & Chassis Vehicles

  

  🚛 Cab & Chassis Level I Inspections

  In Arizona, Cab & Chassis vehicles require a Level I inspection before every registration renewal. The MVD requires this annual check to verify the vehicle’s body style. If you’ve added equipment to the chassis (like a flatbed, box, or crane), the body style must be updated in the system. This change affects the vehicle's Factory List Price, taxes, and registration fees.

  EZ Title & Registration handles these inspections at ALL of our locations. You can drive it in for a quick walk-in inspection, or we can come to your yard or place of business.

  Schedule an On-Site Fleet or Chassis Inspection 📅

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  What We Verify

  • Body Style: We confirm the vehicle still qualifies as a "Cab & Chassis" or if it has been converted to a different type.

  • VIN Integrity: We verify the VIN plate is intact and matches your current registration.

  • Equipment Value: If the vehicle has been modified, we help update the records to ensure your registration and taxes are accurate.

  🚨 Why Annual Inspections?

  As long as your vehicle is registered as a Cab & Chassis, the MVD mandates this inspection for every renewal cycle. Skipping this step will block your registration renewal. We make it fast so your trucks stay on the road.

• Level 1 Inspections for Motor Homes & RVs

  

  🚐 Motor Home & RV Level I Inspections

  Own a classic RV or motor home? If your vehicle was built before 1980, there is a high chance the VIN on your title is actually a "motor coach number" or a body serial number rather than the chassis VIN. Arizona requires a Level I inspection to fix these errors and ensure your records are accurate.

  EZ Title & Registration handles RV inspections at ALL of our locations. We can verify your VIN at our office, or we can send an agent to your home or storage facility.

  Schedule an On-Site RV Inspection 📅

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  The Pre-1980 VIN Issue

  Before standard 17-digit VINs became mandatory in 1981, manufacturers often used different numbers for the chassis and the coach body. Many MVD records from that era are incorrect because they used the coach number as the primary identifier.

  We help you correct:

  • Incorrect VINs: Identifying the true chassis VIN to match modern standards.

  • Paperwork Discrepancies: Updating your Arizona title so it perfectly matches the physical vehicle.

  • Out-of-State Transfers: Ensuring your vintage RV is correctly entered into the Arizona system for the first time.

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  On-Site Convenience

  We know moving a large motor home just for an inspection can be a hassle. That’s why we offer on-site inspections by appointment. We’ll come to your driveway or RV park to verify the numbers so you don't have to navigate traffic in a rig you’re trying to get registered.