What is a VIN (vehicle identification number)?
VIN is short for a vehicle identification number. This is the unique code that manufacturers assign to a particular automobile. VIN stands for Vehicle Identification Number. VINs are unique to each vehicle.
Each letter or number in a VIN is composed of 17 alphanumeric characters. This information includes the year, make, model and engine size, as well as the manufacturer, location, safety features, and manufacturing location. A VIN can be used to identify vehicle specifications as well as registrations, warranties, status, insurance coverage, and theft records.
What is the importance of checking a VIN number on a used vehicle?
It is important to verify the VIN number of any used vehicle you are considering purchasing. This will help you determine the reliability and quality of the car. It is possible that the VIN number advertised does not match the vehicle’s make or model. This could indicate fraud or illegal modifications. An independent third-party VIN scan can reveal valuable information about the vehicle’s history, such as if it was stolen or if it is clean.
How can I find a VIN number and get an iSeeCars VIN report for free?
Sign up today to receive 5 free VIN lookups, and 5 monthly full VIN reports. If you need to view more reports, there are low-cost subscription plans that can be purchased.
Here is where you can find one of our VIN reports for free:
- Mobile website or desktop computer – No cost VIN lookup
- iSeeCars mobile Android and iOS VIN app – Download our free app to scan a vehicle’s barcode and view the VIN report instantly.
- All used car listings on iSeeCars – Click “Full Report” to view the report.
- Google Chrome extension – Automatically generates the VIN Report when a VIN has been found on any website you are browsing, such as Craigslist or car shopping websites.
How do I get a free vehicle history report?
iSeeCars reports may include a vehicle history report for free if the seller provides it. These CARFAX and AutoCheck vehicle history summaries offer valuable information about a vehicle’s past, including reports of accidents, previous owners, and reported salvage titles. The free vehicle history information will help you to understand the vehicle’s condition better and predict future problems. We also provide to search a car by vin.
What VIN can I use to look up the vehicle specifications?
Yes. Yes. iSeeCars VIN Data reports include key vehicle specifications such as trim, colour, drivetrain, engine, type, towing capacity, and more. These specifications also provide information about how the car compares with the average vehicle in its class.
What VIN can I use to check safety recalls?
Yes. Yes. The VIN report links to the NHTSA database. This allows you to identify (a) whether there is an open recall of any new or used cars and (b) information regarding all past recalls, including safety-related recalls like those involving Takata Airbags.
Unresolved recalls, including emissions recalls, can cause vehicle inspection failures. Ask the seller to address any open recalls on a vehicle, as it is likely that the recall will require repairs.
Are VINs always 17-digits long?
All vehicles must have a 17-digit VIN starting in 1981. VINs for vehicles manufactured before 1981 are between 11-17 characters.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) established a standard for the VIN format in 1981. A VIN is 17 characters that are made up of numbers and letters. Each set of numbers corresponds to a specific meaning according to the NHTSA standard. To avoid confusion with 1 (zero), a VIN does not include O, Q and I.
Is it possible to change VINs?
It is a federal crime for a vehicle’s VIN to be altered, removed or tampered with.
How to use the VIN Decoder for a VIN check
To instantly find out the manufacturer, make, model, body style and year of your vehicle enter its 17-character Vehicle ID Number (VIN). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration compiles this information from data provided by manufacturers to NHTSA. This VIN Decoder lookup can be used with vehicles made after 1981. The VIN will likely have 11 characters if your vehicle was manufactured before 1981.
Why is the VIN Important?
You may need to verify a vehicle’s VIN in certain situations. Many data registries use this information to record details about the vehicle’s past. You can perform a VIN search to obtain a vehicle history report, which will include records about previous owners, accidents and repairs. It is possible to find out whether the vehicle has been recalled by the manufacturer and if repairs have been made. To identify stolen vehicles, law enforcement agencies can run a VIN search. You can also find vehicle owner by vin free as it is so useful.
