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FAQ: How to Check VIN Number on a Car?
VIN Number: What You Need to Know
The VIN, or Vehicle Identification Number, is a 17-digit code unique to each vehicle that serves as its fingerprint, allowing it to be tracked and identified by authorities. The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) system was first introduced in the 1950s, primarily as a way for manufacturers to identify vehicles for warranty and recall purposes. Over time, the VIN system evolved to include more detailed information about the vehicle, including its make, model, year, location of manufacture, engine size, and more. As computer technology advanced in the 1990s, VINs became even more important for tracking vehicle history and identifying stolen and damaged vehicles. Today, the VIN system is standardized and used worldwide, making it an essential tool for law enforcement, insurance companies, automotive professionals, and everyday car buyers and sellers
The VIN, when entered on a VIN check tool, reveals important identifying information about the car, including its manufacturer, model, and year of production, as well as its country of origin and build sequence.
Where to check the VIN?
In North America, VIN numbers consist of 17 digits and can usually be found in these locations:
- The driver’s-side dashboard.
- The driver’s-side door jamb.
- The vehicle registration, title, and bill of sale.
- The car’s service records.
- Behind the radiator support bracket.
- The engine block.
- The transmission case.
- The spare tire cover.
- Under the carpet.
- The driver’s side wheel arch.
- The fuel filler neck.
- Inside the front bumper.
How to Decode the VIN?
Each digit in a 17-digit North American VIN number represents a specific piece of information about the vehicle.
The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first three digits of a vehicle identification number (VIN) and represents the manufacturer of the vehicle.
1 – Origin – The first digit represents the country or region of the manufacturer.
2 – Manufacturer – The second reveals the manufacturer.
3 – Vehicle type/Make/Division – In some cases, the third digit may represent the specific make or division of the manufacturer as well as the vehicle type.
The Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) is the next six digits and provides information about the specific model, trim level, and body style of the vehicle.
4-8 – Attributes – Vehicle attributes such as model, body type, engine type, and transmission type.
9 – Check digit – The ninth digit is a check digit used to verify the authenticity of the VIN.
The Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS) represents the 10th – 17th digits and is unique to each vehicle, providing information about the production plant, serial number, and production date. Together, these three sections provide a comprehensive identification of a specific vehicle.
10 – Model year – This represents the model year.
11 – Factory – The eleventh digit identifies the factory where the vehicle was assembled.
12-17 – Unique serial number – The twelfth to seventeenth digits are the unique serial numbers for the specific vehicle unit.
Collectively, these digits provide a complete history of the vehicle’s production and specifications.
Sample VIN: 1GCNKPEX0DZ164994
| 1 | United States |
| G | General Motors |
| C | Chevrolet |
| NKPEX | Double Cab/2WD V-6/5-Speed Automatic |
| 0 | Check Digit |
| D | 2013 |
| Z | Roanoke, Indiana |
| 164994 | Unique Serial Number |
Model Year by Code
| Code | Year | Code | Year | Code | Year | Code | Year | Code | Year | Code | Year |
| A | 1980 | L | 1990 | Y | 2000 | A | 2010 | A | 1980 | L | 1990 |
| B | 1981 | M | 1991 | 1 | 2001 | B | 2011 | B | 1981 | M | 1991 |
| C | 1982 | N | 1992 | 2 | 2002 | C | 2012 | C | 1982 | N | 1992 |
| D | 1983 | P | 1993 | 3 | 2003 | D | 2013 | D | 1983 | P | 1993 |
| E | 1984 | R | 1994 | 4 | 2004 | E | 2014 | E | 1984 | R | 1994 |
| F | 1985 | S | 1995 | 5 | 2005 | F | 2015 | F | 1985 | S | 1995 |
| G | 1986 | T | 1996 | 6 | 2006 | G | 2016 | G | 1986 | T | 1996 |
| H | 1987 | V | 1997 | 7 | 2007 | H | 2017 | H | 1987 | V | 1997 |
| J | 1988 | W | 1998 | 8 | 2008 | J | 2018 | J | 1988 | W | 1998 |
| K | 1989 | X | 1999 | 9 | 2009 | K | 2019 | K | 1989 | X | 1999 |
WMI Region Codes
| WMI | Region | Notes |
| A-C | Africa | AA-AH = South Africa |
| J-R | Asia | J = Japan KL-KR = South Korea L = China MA-ME = India MF-MK = Indonesia ML-MR = Thailand MS = Myanmar NL-NR = Turkey PA-PE = Philippines PL-PR = Malaysia RF-RG = Taiwan |
| S-Z | Europe | SA-SM = United Kingdom SN-ST, W = Germany SU-SZ = Poland TA-TH = Switzerland TJ-TP = Czech Republic TR-TV = Hungary TW-T1 = Portugal VA-VE = Austria VF-VR = France VS-VW = Spain VX-V2 = Yugoslavia XL-XM = The Netherlands XS-XW = USSR X3-X0 = Russia YA-YE = Belgium YF-YK = Finland YS-YW = Sweden ZA-ZR = Italy |
| 1-5 | North America | 1, 4, 5 = United States 2 = Canada 3 = Mexico |
| 6-7 | Oceania | 6A-6W = Australia 7A-7E = New Zealand |
Are there cars that do not follow the 17-digit VIN format?
Cars that do not have 17-digit VIN numbers were manufactured before 1981. These vehicles may have VIN numbers ranging from 11 to 13 characters long, depending on the manufacturer. To decode these VIN numbers, the first three characters typically represent the manufacturer and the production location. The next few characters are specific to the model, engine type, and body style. The remaining characters may represent the production year, plant identifier, and serial number. However, decoding these older VIN numbers can be more challenging than decoding modern 17-digit VINs due to variations in formatting and the absence of standardized codes.
How can a VIN number check help me?
If you were doing a background check on vehicles you plan to buy, their VIN codes can be used to generate a vehicle history report by accessing multiple databases that contain information about the car’s past. By analyzing the data compiled in the report, potential buyers and sellers can make informed decisions about the vehicle’s value and condition, and avoid purchasing a lemon or fraudulent car.
What are the contents of vehicle history reports by VIN check?
The common items found in vehicle history reports by VIN check are the following:
- Previous accidents or damage to the vehicle.
- Vehicle Specifications like the engine type, dimensions, and other features.
- Title information of the vehicle, including salvage or rebuilt titles.
- Any recalls or safety defects related to the vehicle model.
- Active and expired warranties.
- The number of previous owners and vehicle usage history.
- Service history and maintenance reports.
- Theft reports and vehicle recoveries.
- Liens, loans, or outstanding finance owed on the vehicle.
- The current estimated market value and ownership costs.
- Information on accidents or damage caused by natural disasters (hurricanes, floods, fires, etc.)
Odometer Rollback: This fraud involves reducing the mileage of a car to make it appear that the vehicle has been driven less than it has.
Salvage/Rebuilt Title: A salvage/rebuilt car report can indicate if the car has been heavily damaged due to an accident, declared a total loss by an insurance company, or rebuilt. Such a car may have significant problems as a result of the damage.
Title Washing: Title washing is a process where a car that has a salvage/rebuilt title is registered in a state that doesn’t recognize the branding. The car is then sold as a clean title vehicle in other states.
Flood Damage Fraud: A car report can identify if the car has been reported as a flood-damaged vehicle, which can indicate significant damage to the car’s electrical system, engine, or other parts.
VIN Cloning: VIN cloning is the illegal act of taking a unique identification number from a legally registered vehicle and placing it on a stolen or counterfeit vehicle to conceal its true identity.
Theft Recovery: A car report can show if the car has been reported as stolen and recovered.
How can I do a VIN lookup and get a vehicle history report if I don’t have a VIN?
License plate numbers can be used as an alternative to VIN numbers in background checking cars (through a license plate lookup) because license plates are unique identifiers assigned to vehicles by the state, and they can be easily searched using online databases.
The license plate number can provide information on the vehicle’s registration, ownership, history, and current status. This information can be used to verify the vehicle’s identity, detect any fraudulent registration, and assess the risk associated with the vehicle, such as its accident history, mileage, and title status.
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