If you’re a car owner, you’ve probably had to deal with VINs at least once. There are a lot of reasons you might need to find your car’s VIN. You’ve probably also asked yourself what a VIN is.
VINs are an important part of a vehicle. Why? Read on to find out!
What Is a VIN?
A VIN is a vehicle identification number. It is a unique seventeen-digit code assigned to a car.
No two cars have the same VIN. Think of it like your car’s social security or driver’s license number. A VIN is used to identify a specific vehicle.
Every vehicle has a VIN, but some might be shorter than others. The seventeen-digit format began in 1981. Cars made before 1981 will have a shorter VIN.
VINs can be found in several places. Most vehicles have their VIN on the dashboard on the driver’s side. You can see the VIN through the car’s windshield.
You may also be able to find your VIN on the inner frame of the driver’s side door. It’s also often located on the engine block.
Why Are VINs Important?
A VIN can tell you a lot about a car. There’s a lot of information packed into that little number!
VINs tell you everything about the vehicle’s manufacture. Different digits in the VIN tell you different things. The first twelve digits hold most of this information.
You can discover a car’s country of origin and manufacturer by the VIN. The brand, body type, and even specific manufacturing plant are also revealed here.
Once you have the tools to decode a VIN, you can learn all sorts of information about a car!
When Do I Need My VIN?
You can use VINs in many different situations. You may need to provide your VIN when you insure your vehicle. You may also need to report your VIN on an insurance claim if you’re in an accident.
A VIN can also be used to research a used car before purchase. Carfax is one of the most well-known vehicle history services. Carfax can use a VIN to see if the vehicle has documented issues or a history of accidents.
You may also need to perform a VIN verification. What is a VIN verification? It’s a physical inspection of your vehicle to verify things like model, year, and VIN attachment.
It’s important to note that VIN verification is not the same thing as a history report. A history report from a service like Carfax details the car’s past. A VIN verification is about verifying the car’s details in the present.
You might be required to get a VIN verification. The DMV may have you get a VIN verification if you have an out-of-state or foreign car, or if your car has no DMV record.
Significant changes to your vehicle’s body type may also require a VIN verification.
Luckily, VIN verification is quick and easy. Many services will come to you to perform the verification. VIN verifiers often have large service areas, so you should be able to find one near you!
Check Your VIN
It’s clear that VINs are a big deal. They are a simple way to learn a lot about a car.
Now that you know a little more about VINs, see what you can learn from yours! Use a VIN decoder or, better yet, schedule a VIN verification!
Looking for more helpful info like this? Browse through our other articles before you go.
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