Vehicle Identification Number

A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) contains 17 digits that can tell you much about the vehicle, including its history. The VIN can be found on various documents, such as insurance policies, title records, and car registrations. Law enforcement agencies and car manufacturers also use it to identify stolen vehicles. Each VIN is unique to the specific car or truck it applies to, and there are different formats for the VIN depending on the country where the vehicle was made. However, the VIN format was standardized in 1981 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the United States to include the 17-digit numbering system that we know and love today.

How to Decode a VIN?

There are three sections in a VIN, each of which carries a certain amount of information:

• The first part, which consists of the first three digits, is called the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI). The WMI identifies where your car was made and what type of vehicle it is. For example, the first digit can indicate whether your car is made in the US (1GC), Canada (2C), or Mexico (3M).
• The second digit indicates your vehicle’s manufacturer.
• And the third digit, when combined with the first two, identifies your vehicle’s model.
• Digits 4 through 9 are known as the Vehicle Descriptor Section and contain additional information on your vehicle, such as the restraint systems, body type, and transmission types. The ninth digit is a check digit used to verify the authenticity of the entire number.
• The last section, containing digits 12 through 17, is the Identifier Section and contains a unique serial number for your particular vehicle. This number is assigned chronologically to each vehicle as it moves down the assembly line. It can also provide details about your car’s engine, chassis, and other components. In addition, the Identifier Section may include a description of the materials used to build your vehicle and the name of the company that assembled it.

How to Verify Vehicle Identification Number?

There are several ways to verify a VIN, including at a police department, DMV, or private verification center. When you want to verify a VIN, the first thing you will need is the vehicle in question and any associated paperwork. You must then go to an approved location, such as the DMV or a police station, and pay any necessary fees.

You can also have a private VIN verifier come to you, which can be helpful if you are trying to purchase a vehicle that is out of state or difficult to get to. However, it is important to note that a VIN verification will not provide you with the same information as a Carfax or NMVTIS report, which will detail the vehicle history and title brand status.