Guest Author - Beth Green

Imagine you’re at a crowded shopping mall on a hot summer day. You finish shopping, and head out to the parking lot to your car, only to find it missing. You call the police to report the stolen car, giving them the make, model, color and license number. There’s an additional number assigned to your vehicle that could help the police in finding it.

The vehicle identification number, or VIN, is a series of numbers and letters that are unique to your car. The VIN can help identify your car if it is stolen. It is located on a metal plate affixed to the dashboard, readable through the driver’s side of the windshield. The VIN is also indicated on a sticker placed on the driver’s side door jamb. It’s usually on your insurance documents as well. When you register your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles, you register the VIN.

Identification numbers were first given to vehicles in the 1950’s. The vehicle identification numbers used on cars manufactured after 1980 contain 17 characters. The VIN helps determine a car’s uniqueness, its history, and any recalls that may have been issued.

Each character of the VIN has its own meaning. Here is a quick break down of what each character means:

The first digit represents the country in which the car was manufactured. A ‘1’, a ‘4’ or a ‘5’ indicates that the car was made in the United States.

The second character identifies the manufacturer. For example, ‘F’ is Ford, ‘1’ is Chevrolet, ‘C’ is Chrysler.

The third character is the vehicle type or manufacturing division.

The fourth through eighth digits identifies such features as body style, model and engine type.

The ninth digit is what is called the ‘check digit’. This character helps to ensure the accuracy of the VIN. There is a formula used by manufacturers to determine this check digit.

The tenth character indicates the model year of the vehicle.

The eleventh character represents the assembly plant where the vehicle was manufactured.

The last six digits are the production number of the vehicle, indicating the order in which it rolled off the assembly line.

Classic car collectors rely on the VIN to help them determine the collectibility of their hobby cars.

If you are planning to purchase a used car, a VIN check is recommended. This research can indicate whether or not the car was ever stolen, whether any insurance claims or recalls were made against the car, if there was ever any flood damage, odometer fraud, and numerous other things you may not be able to tell about the car you’re interested in just by looking at it.

Probably the most well-known vehicle identification number research company is CARFAX. Most used car dealers today will offer a CARFAX report on any vehicle you are interested in. If the dealer does not offer a report, you have the right to request a report, much as you have the right to have an independent mechanic look at the car. You can also requests VIN reports directly from CARFAX, if you’re thinking of buying a car from an individual. All you need is the complete identification number. Free CARFAX Record Check
Just remember to get the report BEFORE you buy.