When it comes to the identification of your vehicle, it isn’t just the number plate (VRM) that people look at, especially when it comes to the Police, DVLA or your insurance company. It is an important piece of information that identifies every single car built.
The vehicle identification number, VIN or Chassis Number as some people refer to it, is a unique code given to each vehicle. But what is a VIN number and why is it so important?
What is a VIN?
A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a seventeen-character alphanumeric code help used to identify individual vehicles, each one is unique. Just like your fingerprint which is unique to you, a chassis number acts in the same way with no two cars having the same number.
What is a VIN located on a vehicle?
The VIN number can be found on several locations on a vehicle, this includes:
Dashboard
The most common place to find a VIN number is on the dashboard, depending on the manufacturer this is usually found on the drivers or passenger side towards the bottom of the window, manufacturers usually leave a gap in the tinting to easily read this number.
Drivers Side Sill
Open the driver’s side door, you will often find a label or stamping of the VIN number.
Engine Block
The VIN will be stamped or engraved on the engine block and may not be easily visible.
Registration Document
The VIN can always be found on your V5 registration document.
How is the VIN displayed?
Each VIN number is made up of specific letters and numbers, they provide important information about the vehicle, as follows:
Use our infographic on your website
Just click on the following code to embed our image on your website, please note this provides a click back to this article.
<a href="https://car-subscriptions.co.uk/what-is-a-vehicle-identification-number-vin/" title="What is a VIN Number" target="_blank">
<img decoding="async" src="https://images.car-subscriptions.co.uk/infographics/what-is-a-vin-number-infographic.webp" alt="What is a VIN Inforgraphic from car-subscriptions.co.uk" width="495" height="740"></a>
Why are VIN numbers so important?
Identification / Registration
VIN numbers are required for the registration of the vehicle on the DVLA database. They can help prevent fraud by ensuring that stolen vehicles are easily identified. They can help the Police and other authorities trace the car’s history and onwership.
Recall and Safety
The DVLA and the manufacturers use the VIN number to help identify any safety recalls that the vehicle may need. This helps them in contacting the registered keeper and ensuring that any safety checks are carried out.
Vehicle History
If you are looking to purchase a vehicle, a VIN can help you get the history of the car. These reports contain information about the number of owners, private plate history, accident history, maintenance records and any safety recalls the vehicle may have had or are required.
Insurance
VIN numbers can help identify a vehicle when it comes to looking or taking out a car insurance policy for a vehicle. If the vehicle isn’t yet registered a VIN number can usually be provided to prepopulate the required fields.
Financing
If you are looking at taking out a PCP or Hire Purchase on a vehicle, the VIN number will be required. Usually finance is secured against the car and when checked, should show a finance market against the number plate or the VIN number.
At what point should you check a VIN number?
- When purchasing a Used Vehicle
- Checking ownership history
- If you have been involved in an accident
- For any safety recalls on the vehicle
- When it comes to selling your vehicle
- To check the maintenance history of the vehicle
Conclusion
The VIN number is a vital point of information to help you identify a vehicle and its history, the combination of the numbers provides information to easily identify the origins of the car and where it was built. It can also help you obtain vital information when it comes to selling or purchasing a vehicle.
Don’t forget to use our free “What is a VIN” infographic on your blogs for free.
