⊸ Blog⊸ VIN Number Guide : How To Bank check And Sympathize Your VIN

Nov 2, 2022

How To Do A VIN Number Check And Lookup

A VIN number is an of import slice of information for vehicle owners. In lodge to go a vehicle allow or ownership, y'all need to accept a valid and accurate VIN number.

In this blog mail service, nosotros explain why a VIN is of import, how to cheque and await it upwardly, and how to decode the characters. We'll also answer common questions about VIN numbers.

What Is A VIN Number?

VIN number characters on car dashboard

A car'due south vehicle identification number (VIN) is the identifying lawmaking for the specific vehicle. Information technology is usually known as your car'southward fingerprint – no two vehicles on the road have the same VIN. Every vehicle manufactured after 1981 has a VIN.

A VIN is a 17-graphic symbol long lawmaking contains the information for your car'southward unique features, manufacturer, and specifications. It is as well used to rails vehicle history, warranty claims, theft, accidents, recalls and insurance coverage.

What Importance Does A VIN Have?

A VIN provides you lot with important information nigh a vehicle. Having a VIN can assist yous track a vehicle across its lifespan. It can assist y'all in many situations, including the following:

  • Help you buy a used auto. A VIN will verify the vehicle is legitimate. You volition less likely buy a stolen automobile or one that is deemed unsafe for the road if the code is accurate.
  • Guide the process of registering your car, renewing your license plate, or transfer ownership.
  • Help police enforcement identify and recover stolen vehicles.
  • Make it easier for maintenance and autobody shops to gild appropriate parts for your vehicle.
  • Your insurance company will be able to identify your vehicle and confirm the proper coverage is applied in the event of a merits.
  • Protect your auto's identity – duplicates can be created and added to stolen vehicles, so you want to make sure yous have an original.

Where To Detect the VIN On A Automobile

The VIN is plant on the driver's side of the vehicle, looking in from the windshield. It can as well exist constitute on the doorpost and within the commuter'south side door. Documents such equally vehicle ownership, service records, and insurance coverage will also have the number. If for any reason, you lot practise not have access to the vehicle in the effect of buying a used auto, enquire the seller to provide it to you so you can run a VIN check.

What Do The Numbers and Letters In A VIN Mean?

infographic explaining what VIN characters mean

How To Read A VIN Number

You might think this code is a random mix of 17 characters, simply each combination has specific information identifying the manufacturer, make, model and twelvemonth. Hither is how the numbers break down :

3GHBH41JXMN199815

1 : Decode the pregnant of the commencement number or alphabetic character. This graphic symbol will tell you where the vehicle was made.

  • A – H means Africa
  • J – R (except O and Q) means Asia
  • S – Z means Europe
  • one – 5 means N America
  • six or 7 means New Zealand or Australia
  • viii or ix is for South America

two : Decode the 2d and third digits. These characters will tell you lot who the manufacturer is. The tertiary digits will provide the exact partitioning of the manufacturer, such as General Motors. Some examples include :

  • i Chevrolet
  • J Jeep
  • T Toyota
  • six Cadillac

3 : The vehicle descriptor section. The next five numbers volition tell you the make of the car, engine, and which blazon of vehicle it is.

4 : The 9th number is used to prove the VIN is not a faux.

5 : The tenth number will bespeak the twelvemonth the motorcar was made. For example, if the vehicle was made in 2022, it should have the letter A.

6 : The eleventh number will tell you the exact plant that made the vehicle. This digit is specific to each manufacturer.

A : Flexible fuel vehicles can be identified by the 2nd, third and 8th digits

B : The final numbers. The last digits act equally a series number for the car and what makes the VIN original to that car.

What If A VIN Is Not 17 Characters Long?

If you notice a VIN is not 17 numbers long, information technology generally means the vehicle was fabricated before 1981 and will not decode properly with new search systems. The information on cars earlier 1981 is limited.

How Can I Verify My VIN?

Information technology is recommended to check all VIN locations on your vehicle to ensure they are nonetheless. Match the number with the vehicle's original registration form and check if the number provides the correct year, model, make, and vehicle color.

At that place are complimentary online VIN decoders to assist with the process. You should also bank check for signs of tampering (scratched numbers, mismatched rivets, glue, or paint over the area). This could be a sign of someone trying to change or hide the original number, which could change the VIN's information or prove it is a stolen automobile.

What Practice I Do If My VIN Was Tampered With?

If the car was stolen or e'er deemed un-safe for driving, the VIN could take been tampered with so the car could nonetheless be sold. Criminals may effort to hibernate a car'due south history past:

  • Scratching the VIN or removing the plate
  • Altering the VIN (changing numbers and letters)
  • Replacing the real VIN with a made-upwardly one or cloning one from another vehicle

Later on you lot review your VIN, if yous notice whatever discrepancies, you should contact the motor vehicle licensing/registration in your province. If you observe the VIN does not friction match any insurance documents, contact your insurer or local police as soon equally possible.


FAQs Nearly VINs

Here is a wait at the almost commonly asked questions nigh VINs in Canada.

IS A VIN Important?

The VIN is a specific 17 characters that are assigned to your vehicle during the manufacturing procedure. The VIN never changes and contains important data related to your motorcar, such every bit make, model, year, and warranty data. You must take a VIN to become a vehicle permit (ownership).

Can I Check My Machine Warranty With A VIN Number?

You can check your vehicle warranty by providing your VIN to your dealership. You will exist able to find your VIN on the front end dash of your driver's side windshield, inside your car door, or insurance policy. They will be able to provide you with what is and is non covered under your warranty.

Why Should You Check Your VIN?

Your VIN should lucifer every place in your vehicle and on your insurance skid to ensure you have the right vehicle covered. If y'all are buying a used car, y'all should check the VIN to verify the car'due south history and make certain y'all are not a victim of a car insurance scam.

Can VINs Elapse?

Nope – your VIN volition not expire, fifty-fifty if the driver and policy changes.

Should I Enquire For The VIN If I'm Buy A Used Vehicle?

Yeah – a VIN tin tell y'all everything about the vehicle's history, from theft, flood damage, and warranty information. If you establish a good deal on a used car, you lot should brand sure it has a clean history before y'all buy it.

Can I Decode A VIN For Free?

Yep, the IBC has a free VIN Verify Service that you can use to ostend your VIN.

Tin I Use A VIN To Find Automobile Parts?

Yes. You can use your VIN to detect machine parts. Past sharing your VIN with your car parts dealer, they tin can fine-tune the parts to ensure they fit your brand and model.

Know The Importance Of A VIN Number For Cars

If you are buying a new or used car, having an authentic and valid VIN tin can protect ensure you are driving a road-safe vehicle. If you find issues with your VIN or notice there are issues, address it correct abroad.

Here Are Some Other Articles You May Be Interested In

Electronic Proof Of Insurance & Digital Pink Slips
Rental Auto Insurance In Canada
A Guide To Ontario's Graduated Driver'due south Licence
A Simple To Follow Guide For How To Buy A Used Car

<<Fall Home Maintenance Checklist 2022The OPCF 28 And 28A Excluded Commuter Endorsement >>