Your car’s vehicle identification number (VIN) is the key to unlocking the secrets of your car, including its history and title status. Understanding what the VIN means and how to find it is critical for those wanting to buy a used car, as it will provide useful information about the vehicle that may just tip you in favor of buying or passing on the car.
With that being said, let’s take a deeper look into what a VIN is and how to locate it on your car and its paperwork.
What Is a VIN Number?
A VIN is a 17-digit code used to identify a vehicle. All vehicles manufactured have a unique VIN composed of numbers and letters that can be used by the insurance company, DMV, police, and more to identify your car and gain information on the car’s history.
While the 17 characters may seem random, each digit holds information about the car, including its make, trim, engine type, etc.
What Does a VIN Number Tell You?
The VIN has information about your car and can also be used to look up vehicle history reports and learn more about the car. The VIN can also be used to obtain recall information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
To decode all 17 characters, it is best to break it down into three sections:
1. World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)
The first three characters of the VIN contain the WMI code. The first character identifies the country of origin. The second character identifies the manufacturer of the car and the region of production. The third character identifies the vehicle type.
2. Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)
The fourth through ninth characters identify specific features of the car. Each automobile manufacturer assigns its own characters for this section, but it generally has information on the vehicle’s body style, trim, engine size, and more.
The ninth VIN number/digit is known as the “check digit.” Manufacturers include check digits as a way to check the VIN’s validity.
3. Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS)
The remaining numbers and letters are used to identify the vehicle. You can think of the VIS as the car’s unique name. The tenth character identifies the year the car was built, and the eleventh character identifies the assembly plant where the vehicle was built.
The remaining characters are the car’s unique serial number, which is what sets a vehicle apart from cars of the same make, model, year, etc.
Where to Find the VIN Number on a Car?
Thankfully, your vehicle’s VIN is not hard to find. In fact, it can be found in multiple different locations on your car.
The Driver’s Side Dashboard
First, look through the windshield on the driver’s side near the bottom corner. You should be able to see your vehicle’s VIN displayed right below the windshield. In some places, this area may also be featured as a common spot for VIN decals or plaques for easy identification. It's a good idea to uncover all such spots to ensure that the VINs match, verifying the authenticity of your vehicle.
The Driver’s Side Door
On most vehicles, the VIN can be found on the driver side doorjamb below the door pillar. Look for a sticker that contains information about the car, and you’ll also find that it includes the VIN. It is typically located below the door latches.
The Front End of the Frame
Sometimes, older cars have the VIN stamped to the front end of your car’s frame. Try looking for it under the hood or near the driver’s side wheel.
The Spare Tire
While not always the case, the VIN can be found beneath where the spare tire is stored. Depending on the time the car was manufactured, this location has been maintained as a standard by many automakers.
The Rear Wheel Well
Another place where you can look for your vehicle’s VIN is the rear wheel well on the driver’s side. While it is not there on all motor vehicles, it can be found stamped onto the inside of the wheel well.
The Front of the Engine Block
Manufacturers will sometimes put the VIN on the engine’s firewall. Try finding it by searching for a plate on the firewall. This plate will often reveal a set of numbers that include information about the engine's cylinders and other parts. Knowing these things is valuable when looking to purchase replacement parts or understanding your engine's specific configuration.
Contact the Dealership or Manufacturer
If you are at your wit’s end and still can’t find your car’s VIN, then you can call the dealership or manufacturer of the car for information about where to find your VIN.
Finding the VIN on Paperwork
The VIN can also be found on the paperwork for your car. There are five important documents that should contain your VIN:
Bill of Sale—When you buy a new or used car, you should have received a Bill of Sale, which contains information on the purchase transaction and should also have the VIN number.
Title—Every car has an accompanying title with information about the car, including the VIN.
Registration Card—You can also find the VIN on your registration card. If you lost your registration card, you can obtain a replacement at your local DMV.
Insurance Documents—As long as your car is insured, you should be able to find the VIN on insurance documents such as your insurance card.
Owner’s Manual—Every car comes with an owner’s manual that has both general and specific information about the motor vehicle, including its VIN number.
Checking Whether the VIN Is Authentic
Unfortunately, there are individuals who sell stolen motor vehicles to unsuspecting victims. One of the best ways to avoid this scam is by checking whether the VIN is authentic or not. There are five main ways to check the validity of a car’s VIN and whether it was stolen or not:
Look Up the VIN—In the case where the car still retains its original VIN, you can look the VIN up on the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s website to see if the car was stolen. The website contains information on all theft reports.
Use a VIN Decoder—A VIN Decoder (VIN lookup) will provide information about the car and can also be used to access a vehicle history report. You can check the information against what you know of the car. For example, if the VIN lookup says the vehicle has a 5.0L engine, but you find that it does not, then chances are that the owner is trying to scam you.
Check the VIN Plate on the Engine Firewall—Typically, vehicles will have a VIN plate attached to the engine firewall that contains info about the car as well as the VIN. Scammers will likely try to replace the VIN plate with a different one. Check for signs that the VIN plate has been removed or tampered with and check to make sure that the VIN on the plate matches the VIN located on the driver’s side dashboard.
Examine the Federal Safety Certification Label—Open the driver’s side door and look for a label underneath the door latch. Examine the label for any evidence that it was tampered with or replaced. Also, ensure that the VIN listed on the label matches the car’s VIN located elsewhere on the vehicle. Keep in mind that the label is waterproof and is securely fixed to the door. So, if it has water damage or is starting to peel off, it may be a fake.
Check the VIN Plate on the Dashboard—The VIN plate located on the driver’s side dashboard near where the corner of the dashboard meets the windshield is the primary spot where the VIN is located on vehicles. Because of that, it is a prime target for scammers to tamper with. Ensure that the VIN plate is securely fastened in place and that it has no scratches.
Why Is a VIN So Important?
With each individual vehicle having its identical counterparts, the VIN is a critical piece of information that separates your car from the rest. In addition, the VIN is the key to a world of information about the car’s history and specifications.
The VIN can be used to check the car's history, prior ownership, maintenance records, past repairs, and open recall information. It can also be used to check if a car was stolen or not and if it has been in any accidents.
In short, the VIN is a vital piece of information that uniquely identifies a vehicle and provides key details about the car.
How Is a VIN Used for a Vehicle History Report?
Vehicle history reports provide important information about a vehicle’s past. It contains information on past accidents, car owners, inspections, damages, safety recalls, repair history, theft reports, and more. The VIN can be used to access a vehicle history report. This can be done by using a VIN decoder.
To get a vehicle history report, you simply enter the VIN into our trusted service's website and click to generate the report. Our reports are issued to help both buyers and sellers understand the vehicle's history and the reason it was bought or sold in the past. We highly recommend running a vehicle history report before purchasing a used car to ensure you're making an informed decision.
Get Your Free VIN Check Right Now
If you want to obtain a vehicle history report and learn more about a vehicle, you can use our free VIN decoder to perform a VIN check. A VIN check will decode the VIN in order to provide information on the vehicle such as its make, model, engine size, etc., and can provide you with a vehicle history report. Run a free VIN check today.
Frequently Asked Questions
The VIN can be found in multiple locations on the car, such as the frame, engine block, wheel well, underneath the spare tire, and underbelly of the car. If people are having trouble locating their VIN, they can ask the vehicle’s manufacturer where it can be found. Or drivers can search for it on the vehicle title, registration card, and insurance documents.
The VIN number can be found on important documents such as insurance paperwork, which may be accessible online. However, it is good to look for the VIN on the vehicle or other important documents such as the title, registration card, and insurance card.
The VIN number does have to be visible so that law enforcement and potential buyers can identify the vehicle.
Individuals can run their VIN number through a VIN check to obtain basic information about their car along with a vehicle history report. On the downside, scammers can use it to create VIN clones for stolen cars they are trying to sell.
No. It is not legal to change the VIN of a car.
