Every vehicle has a unique fingerprint called a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). While a VIN is only 17 characters long, it identifies and registers your vehicle in the same way that your Social Security Number identifies you. Where would you locate your VIN on your vehicle and what is it useful for?
Understanding where the VIN is located and what it means is an important part of your responsibility as a vehicle owner. In this article, we will help you find your VIN and explain what it means. Lastly, we will provide the reasoning behind the possibilities of when you might need to use it.
Where Is The VIN Located On A Car?
You can find the car’s VIN number on the left side, etched at the dashboard on a metal plate. There is also a label that says the VIN on the driver side door sill.
Some cars don’t follow this. You can also find the VIN on important paperwork such as the car title and on insurance cards. Here is some more detail about where to find your VIN number.
#1. On Dashboard.
Most individuals go directly to the dashboard for a VIN. This is due to the mechanic looking up the information, as the manufacturer fastened it on a metal plate attached to the dash.
You will easily find it in the car, on the driver’s side, where the windshield meets the dash and facing out to be conveniently read from outside the vehicle.
#2. On Driver’s Side Door Jamb.
Your vehicle identification number (VIN) can also be seen on a label inside the driver’s side door when you open the driver’s side door.
The label provides other information as well. The gross vehicle weight rating, tire size, paint color, and trim code can be found.
#3. Important Paperwork.
The VIN will be on the vehicle title paperwork. You can find it there if you have the title or the car’s registration.
You’ll find the VIN on your vehicle insurance documents as well. You might have a physical copy of it or you can log into your insurance account online to find it.
#4. Other Miscellaneous Locations.
You can find the VIN on the firewall of the engine and frequently on the transmission as well. This is done more from a security purpose, so should the car get stolen, the important components at least match the vehicle.
If you change the engine or transmission, remember these VINs will not match. It’s one way to let a future buyer know the main components have been exchanged or swapped.
How Do I Read a VIN?
Every VIN has a unique code, but it’s not just random letters and numbers. Here’s what every digit means.
- 1st character: Country code where the vehicle was manufactured.
- 2nd – 3rd character: Name code of the manufacturer.
- 4th – 8th character: Engine type/size, brand, model, series and body style.
- 9th character: Vehicle security code.
- 10th character: Vehicle’s model year.
- 11th character: Assembly plant where the car was manufactured.
- 12th – 17th character: Vehicle serial number.
When is a VIN Needed?
#1. Buying a Car.
When you buy a used car, you have a lot to think about: the condition of the vehicle, whether it is mechanically sound, and the price you pay. You will also want to do a title check with the VIN.
In addition to that, running a CARFAX vehicle history report, as well as a VIN decoder can give you valuable insights regarding the car before you purchase it.
For example, it can show you any accidents the car has been in, if the vehicle was salvaged and it can simply provide you the service history.
#2. Selling a Car.
When you sell the car, consider allowing potential buyers to see the CARFAX report to show transparency.
You’ll also need the VIN to transfer the title to the new owner, so make sure to write it correctly. Otherwise it could be an expensive mistake.
#3. Taking Out Auto Loan.
If you need an auto loan or want to refinance, you will need the VIN, so your lender can quickly search for the vehicle’s worth.
The VIN will also be needed on the final paperwork and the lien holder (the bank) will require the VIN.
#4. Repairing Car.
When you bring your vehicle to a shop for repair or maintenance the technicians reference it to the VIN and it has the information that is needed for the parts based on the engine and transmission type in the vehicle.
Of course, whenever there is warranty work at the dealership, the VIN will be on this paperwork too.
This is all useful information for automakers to know exactly what car was worked on and why, and it will also be in the CARFAX report that includes the service history, so it’s a good thing.
Even when doing your own repairs or maintenance, you might still want the VIN number. If you are looking up parts yourself on the computer online or if you are calling the local auto parts store to help you.
You might need to give them part of the VIN, to make sure they have the right part that will fit your application. It helps narrow down the possibilities if you have umbrella engine/transmission designations. You can eliminate some of the confusion simply by getting the VIN.
#5. Looking up Recalls.
Most vehicles will have some kind of safety recall down the road, but not every vehicle of a particular model is being recalled.
To determine if your vehicle is subject to a new recall, search it by the VIN on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.
This database will search the recalls on your car back 15 years, in case you missed something or are buying a used car.
#6. Filing Police Report.
You may need a police report for several reasons. Hopefully, the worst reason is that your car is stolen. In this case, hopefully, you did not leave the title in the car, as that means you have given the thieves power beyond what you wanted.
The police will need your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) to try to recover your vehicle. They will also enter the VIN into a database for the future. If the car is never recovered, it will stay on the database as a stolen vehicle just in case it shows up one day.
Also, if you are in an accident, the police report will have the VIN on it for the car to file with your insurance.
#7. Buying Car Insurance.
Before you buy a new car insurance policy, you have to give the representative the VIN. With this, the company will know if there are any accidents or repairs that could influence what kind of quote you would get.
Additionally, with the VIN, you can shop around for the best insurance rate from multiple companies and hopefully save some money.
In the future, this VIN will be used to match up the vehicle for any repairs or work that is covered. The insurance company will also want to match it with any police paperwork from the scene.