A VIN number or vehicle information number is so special and very important considering your car. It can tell people a lot about your car.
VIN is a 17-digit sequence of numbers and letters that serves as the car’s identification mark.
Often referred to as the body number, the VIN number is unique to every car and cannot be changed like the registration number or other codes.
The Vehicle Identification Number is stamped into the chassis of the car before it leaves the factory. It is the manufacturer who issues the VIN. The number could be placed in different parts of the car. The common places you can find VIN are the driver’s side dashboard, the driver's side door frame, owner manual, vehicle title, etc.
What all Data VIN gives you?
A lot of necessary information on a specific car or recreational vehicle is contained in this random string of numbers and letters. When you decode a VIN number, you are unlocking the precise meaning attributed to it.
The first part (three units) is WMI. It is the sequence used to identify the country and the manufacturer. The second part, i.e. 4 to 8, is the vehicle description including the features like what kind of parts are used, airbags are there or not, are the seat belts fitted, type of class of the car and so on. The coding of this part may vary according to the manufacturer.
The remaining part is the unique validation VIN character, being the identifier. 10 to 17 of the sequence is used to identify the car type, a model of engine, mode of the car and its accessories.
Why the VIN is Important?
A vehicle’s VIN is unique and like its fingerprint. It helps you to figure out the accurate identity of a car and its history. You should know your vehicle’s VIN number and look for it on any vehicle you are planning to purchase. Car manufacturers and vehicle registration companies count on VIN numbers to identify and validate the car incisively and keeps the database with these numbers with them. Here are the best reasons why VIN is crucial regarding cars.
Purchasing used car
When you think about buying a used car instead of a new one, especially from a third-party owner, you must run a VIN check for the vehicle to ensure you are not buying a defective car. VIN gives you details on the car’s history. Car-buying websites like Carfax and AutoCheck or car dealerships may provide you with vehicle history reports. You can make sure whether the third party is upfront about the condition of the vehicle he is selling. You can also easily verify whether the vehicle had any accident history or any recalled parts have been replaced or not, or have a salvage title using the VIN number.
Safety recalls
VIN keeps records of all the vehicle recalls in its large database and can easily find out whether any parts of the vehicle have been recalled in the past. This can assist you in ensuring the safety of your vehicle as possible. Having sufficient knowledge of recalls specific to your car prevents you from accidents or injuries associated with defective parts and also protects the car manufacturer from being tangled in many lawsuits. After all, recall notices are not always sent to the right people.
Larceny or theft
What if someone stole your vehicle or any parts of it? Knowing the VIN number can be helpful as it enables you to report to the authorities and receive an immediate result. You can’t change the VIN number on a car without any troubles. Even the stolen vehicle will not carry the correct license plate with it. Furthermore, the thief may neglect the secret places where the VIN is stamped. So, identifying your vehicle and recovering it turns out to be easy with VIN number.
Insurance and Warranty Claims
While applying for an insurance quote, VIN can pull up the specificities of your vehicle. The more you know about the vehicle, the more accurate your insurance quote will be. If it is used in a car, VIN gives access to the previous insurance records and the status changes.