Where Is The Car’s VIN Number Located?

VIN Number is the unique code for each motor vehicle in the world. If you are feeling curious Or are you planning to buy a used car?

You have met a potential seller, but you still have some doubts about the car’s performance. So, how will you get a better idea of the car’s condition?

There is only one clear answer to all these questions: VIN.

The Vehicle Identification Number, commonly known as the VIN, is unique to every on-road automobile. You can think of it as the fingerprint of a car.

The manufacturing company gives the VIN to a vehicle upon its production.

This 17-digit code reveals a lot of vital information about your vehicle. It provides extensive details about the car’s past.

Each portion of the distinct sequence contains a wide range of information specific to that car. It shows the vehicle’s manufacturer along with when and where it was manufactured. VIN also specifies the model, type, and the serial number of the automobile.

All motorized vehicles in the USA are required to have a VIN, which follows the standard format. Continue reading the article to find out more details regarding the format and uses of a VIN.

What is the format of a VIN?

Before a proper format was in place, different American-based automobile manufacturers assigned VINs to their vehicles in different layouts. This resulted in more than one car having the same code.

To correct this, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration finalized a standard 17-digit format for the VIN in 1981.

A VIN consists of 17 figures (Digits and Capital Letters). It can contain all numbers and letters except the letters I, O, and Q to prevent confusion with the digits 0, 1, and 9. It can not include any spaces or other special characters. A VIN is usually printed in a single line.

A standard format meant that no two cars will ever have the same identification number.

The unique code is not difficult to locate. Keep reading to find out its possible positions.

Where is a VIN located?

The following are a few locations where a VIN might be located in a car:

1.    On the driver’s side of the dashboard

This is one of the most common locations. The number is typically fixed on a metal plate, placed where the dashboard meets the windshield. It can easily be seen through the windshield of the car from outside.

2.    On the driver’s side door pillar

Open the door and look at the area where the door latches when closed. The VIN is usually on a sticker.

3.    Under the hood

Another location where the VIN can be found is on the engine or transmission under the hood of the car. This is mainly done for improved security: to indicate any stolen or swapped parts.

If you are not finding the VIN in any of these places, there are easier ways to find it. These are the two definite places:

·      Vehicle Registration Document, and

·      Insurance Policy.

Now that you have located the unique code, you might wonder that it does not make any sense. Here’s how you can read and decipher the VIN and find out various facts about your car.

How to decode a VIN?

The process of decoding can be done by breaking it into the following three sections:

1.    First three digits (1-3)

These digits represent the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI). For example, if the WMI code is 5FN, it means the vehicle was manufactured by Honda, in the USA.

Here’s how to interpret the WMI:

  • The first digit represents the country of the manufacturer. According to the WMI coded, each country has been assigned a unique character. An example is J for Japan.
  • The next digit refers directly to the vehicle manufacturer.
  • The third digit specifies the car division or type.

2.    Next six digits (4-9)

The characters from the fourth to ninth places are known as the descriptors.

  1. The first five of these characters specify the vehicle’s model, type, engine size and type, body style, and more.
  2. The ninth digit is the security check digit. Its sole use is the prevention of fake VINs.

3.    Last eight digits (10-17)

These characters are the identifiers of the vehicle.

  1. The tenth digit shows the model year of the vehicle. For example, the letter L means the car is the 2020 model.
  2. The eleventh character represents the vehicle’s assembly location. This is unique for each manufacturer.
  • The last six figures represent the unique serial number of the vehicle. The serial number is assigned at the time of assembly.

How does a VIN help?

The following are a few ways in which a VIN proves to be substantially helpful:

1.    Buying a used car

The code can significantly help in making a better decision when purchasing a used vehicle. Dealerships and websites will provide you with a verified background check of a used car. However, this is not the case when purchasing from an individual.

I would recommend simply asking the seller for information about the car you are considering to buy. Also, you can request the seller to send you a picture of the VIN. Then, you can research it online to see if it has been involved in major crashes or other accidents, such as flooding. You can even find out any major repairs done to the car.

Moreover, you can use the VIN number to find out about the car’s previous owners and locations.

For example, you may find out that this car only had two owners so far. That’s great, but you may notice that one of those owners lived near the beach. In that case, you might want to take a closer look at the paint, and make sure there is no rust from salt corrosion.

Undoubtedly, VIN is one of the best methods to avoid buying a troubled automobile at a higher price.

Currently, in the market, there are many used cars which were manufactured before 1981. This means that those automobiles do not have a 17-digit VIN; hence it cannot be decrypted. The background of these cars cannot be determined as there is limited to no information regarding them.

2.    If your car is stolen

This code can put you at a considerable benefit if your car or even its parts are stolen.

Law enforcement agencies can input the VIN in various databases to identify stolen cars or parts. If any parts are identified, there is a high chance of successfully recovering them.

The code can also be used for warranty claims and insurance coverage.

Final Thoughts on VIN Numbers

Undeniably, checking a car’s VIN is one of the best ways to find information about it. Additionally, it can aid you in making the best decision when buying a used car.

So, what are you waiting for? Locate your car’s VIN and find out new interesting facts about it right now!

In case you are planning to go out for a drive, head on over to our review of the best five blind spot mirrors. They will make your rides safer and easier.