A VIN is a unique 17-character number composed of numbers and letters for an individual vehicle. Like fingerprints, it is VINs are similar to fingerprints. VIN is an identification number that is unique over the lifetime of a car: no two vehicles have the exact VIN. However, cars manufactured prior to 1981 may have VINs that differ in length from 11-17 characters. Just like a check VIN number for liens, you can do a VIN lookup to learn the hidden details of the vehicle.
Why Is It Important?
VINs are essential when it comes to buying a second-hand car. By using the VIN you are able to search for any car online and find out if there’s any outstanding cash owed to the vehicle, an essential aspect to know since loans are typically made to the vehicle itself regardless of whether it has been registered and then given new plates.
You can also determine whether the vehicle was involved in an accident with serious consequences that could result in its being unsafe or if the vehicle was reported previously as stolen. You can also look over the history of the readings on the odometer to make sure that the odometer isn’t been altered. If you can wait to gain more information, you can use car serial number decoder to confirm the information.
In addition, you can use the VIN to find out the history of the manufacture of any car. The first character represents where the car was manufactured 1, 4, and 5 are five states in the United States, for example, the US of A, and K signifies that the vehicle was built in Korea and J is for Japan.
The VIN can also assist you to determine if a vehicle is susceptible to recall by the manufacturer. If there is recalls for a specific model or brand the manufacturer will set up a website or other system to allow users to input the VIN to determine if the automobile is not affected.
Where Can You Find It?
The VIN is typically found in two different ways: in the vehicle’s documents, like titles, registration as well as insurance documents, and in the actual vehicle. The VIN could be found in various places within the car. It’s usually over the steering wheel, in the lower-left corner of the dashboard. However, it could be located within the well for the rear wheels under the spare tire, in the doorjamb for the driver, or behind the block of the engine.
If you’re struggling to find the VIN for your vehicle, check the manual for drivers or conduct an online search for the specific model. If you purchase a car either old or new, note down or take a photo of the car’s VIN and store it in a secure place. If your car ever gets taken away or is lost and you are not able to locate it, keeping the VIN in your possession will make it easier for making a police report, and can assist law enforcement officials in finding and locating your vehicle.
