4/19/2023
All vehicles have several labels and identifiers for purposes we are often unaware of. The most important one is the VIN number or serial number, which we will break down so you know it better and how to check it on your car.
What is the VIN number on your car?
VIN stands for Vehicle Identification Number, also known as the car's serial number.
A car's VIN number is a unique 17-digit code assigned to cars that are manufactured/traded in the United States and other countries. This combination of numbers and letters reveals some important information about the model, year, origin and other data.
The VIN has been in use for many years, since it began to be implemented in 1954. It currently consists of 17 numbers, but prior to 1981 it consisted of 11 characters.
Since that date, the NHSTA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) has made it a requirement for all cars that can be purchased.
Where is the car's serial number located?
You're going to need to know where the VIN is because you'll need it to get car insurance, get parts or even sell your car. It is usually located near the driver's inside handle or on the far left side of the dashboard, just below the front glass.
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Often, you can find it on the engine block, under the spare tire, on the body, transmission or bumpers.
How to check a VIN number?
As a recommendation, the best option involves cross-referencing the vehicle's serial number with companies such as VINCheck or TitleCheck, among others. This allows you to know in more detail the history of the car, the owners it has had and other basic aspects that can help you.
When a car doesn't appear to have a VIN that you can easily see, it's likely that someone is trying to hide something. For any suspicious sign like the one we have mentioned, it is always better to look for another seller and avoid problems.
What is the importance of the VIN number?
A car's serial number resembles a human fingerprint. Its importance lies in the fact that it is unique and provides a series of data about the car that are useful in different instances. For example:
- Mechanics use it to find the right spare parts and perform maintenance based on that information.
- When you buy a car, the salesperson at the dealership may tell you about a safety feature. To find out if what he says is true, the VIN decoding will tell you.
- In case of theft, it is used to find the car. Matching the serial number on the car title, insurance policy or registration card tells the authorities that you own the car.
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How to decode the VIN of a car?
The vehicle identification number is divided into several sections that we are going to describe in more detail:
WMI (Worldwide Manufacturer Identifier)
Corresponds to the first 3 digits. The first digit identifies the country of origin or the plant where the vehicle came from. For example, 3 comes from Mexico, 1 from the United States and 2 from Canada. The Society of Automotive Engineers is in charge of assigning these numbers to nations and facilities.
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The second digit represents the manufacturer. For example, a B would be BMW, a C implies Chrysler and a G is General Motors.
The third digit, in combination with the previous ones, could identify the type of vehicle: car, truck or SUV. Let's say your VIN starts with '3FG', which means it's a Ford car made in Mexico.
VDS (Vehicle Description Section)
Corresponds to digits 4 through 8. This sequence contains data about the model, body type, engine, transmission and safety systems.
CD (Check Digit)
Represents the ninth digit and is similar to a security code. It can be a number or letter included by the manufacturer to establish the authenticity of the VIN. To detect its invalidity, a mathematical formula developed by the Department of Transportation is used.
VIS (Vehicle Identification Section)
It represents the digits from 10 to 17. The tenth number is the model year and there are tables related to this data. This is followed by:
PC (Plant Code)
This is the 11th digit and each manufacturer has unique codes to designate the plant where the vehicle was made.
PN (Production Number)
These are the digits that go from 12 to 17 and indicate the production serial number of the particular car.
Finally, you should know that the letters I, O and Q do not belong to a VIN. And if you want financing to buy a car, at Busconómico you will find the information you need.
Español: Qué es el VIN de un carro, cómo chequearlo y descodificarlo