What can you find out from a car's VIN code?Posted by Jim Half on October 26th, 2024 For many people, the vehicle identification code is something unnecessary or useless. Most owners who buy cars from official dealers have never been interested in this data. In practice, this small set of numbers and letters is an individual code that contains important data about a specific car. In this article, we will figure out what can be learned from the VIN code of a car, what it looks like, where and why it is used. What does a car's VIN code look like?The car VIN code is a number of 17 characters, combining Latin letters and numbers. It is individual not only for series or models, but also for each specific vehicle. Even if the assemblies are absolutely identical visually, in terms of configuration and other parameters, they have different, namely, sequential serial numbers assigned at the production. As a result, the VIN can be called a unique indicator, like biometric data or a person's identification number, which allows you to track the history of movement, activity, presence in certain databases. Symbol designations and how to read a car's VIN code correctly?You can figure out what you can find out from the VIN of a car even without understanding the meaning of all the symbols. It is enough to specify the combination in the corresponding line when going to the traffic police database, another resource or service. If you decipher the meaning of the main definitions, you can quickly find out basic information, determine the country of manufacture and the main characteristics. The VIN code is read from left to right. All data is divided into three parts:
Not all symbols of the second and third blocks are required to "carry" a certain meaning. If there are "gaps", they are filled with the letters "Z", the numbers "0" or "1" depending on the region or country. Where is the VIN code of a car located?The identification number is applied to non-detachable, stationary elements of the body, and the VIN is also indicated in the vehicle passport. For most models of modern cars, it can be found in the following places:
The combination of symbols is applied to the nameplate - a metal plate or sticker. There may also be additional information from the manufacturer. In what cases can a car not have a VIN code?Cars manufactured after 1980 and intended for export must have a VIN code. It is a generally recognized international identifier, the presence and correctness of which is monitored by employees of a special organization. The plate or part of the body may be damaged. At the same time, it is impossible to accidentally erase or replace all the markings, completely losing data about the car. What can you find out from a car's VIN code?You can use the unique VIN code of the car for convenient search of information on the websites of insurance and leasing service, the registry of pledges, in the traffic police database, and other official sources. The most convenient thing is that most checks are performed absolutely free of charge and allow you to get guaranteed reliable information. Let's look at the list of what you can find out by the VIN of the car:
Using information that is provided upon request and is in the public domain, you can protect yourself as much as possible when buying a used car. Knowing the list of damages and participation in accidents will allow you to create the most favorable conditions for bargaining. Some owners arrange a VIN code check when buying a new car even from a dealer. Like it? Share it!More by this author |