How to Find Your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is essentially the fingerprint of your car, as it provides a unique identification code for each vehicle. You can find the VIN in several locations on your car, and it is also listed on important documents such as the title and registration. To avoid purchasing a stolen or tampered-with vehicle, it is essential to carefully inspect the VIN label before buying a used car.

VIN Decoder

Table of Contents

METHOD 1 ⭐ Locating the VIN on the Car​

Check the dashboard.

 Most VIN plates appear on the lower left-hand side of the dashboard. Sit in the driver’s seat and look on the dashboard in front of the steering wheel.[1] Alternately, you might be able to see the VIN easier by standing outside the vehicle and looking through the windshield.

Look in front of the engine block.

Pop opens the hood and check the front of the engine. Some manufacturers affix a body plate that contains the VIN or a partial VIN (typically the last eight characters). This plate should be attached to the firewall inside the engine compartment.

Check the front of the car frame.

Sometimes, the VIN will appear on the car frame, near the windshield washer container. You should crouch down in front of the car on the driver’s side and check

Check the driver-side door.

The VIN should also appear on the Federal Safety Certification Label, which is in all new cars. This label should appear on the driver’s side door in the following places:

  • On the driver-side doorpost. With the door open, check the spot where the door latches. It should be near the seatbelt return.
  • Inside the driver-side door jamb. Open the door and look straight ahead. The VIN should be inside the door jamb, where the mirror is located when the door is shut.

 

METHOD 2 ⭐ Finding the VIN on Paperwork

Find your registration card.

The VIN should also appear on the front of your registration card. Contact your Department of Motor Vehicles if you don’t have a registration card for the car.

Check your insurance documents.

 You probably had to provide the VIN to your insurer, so check your insurance card or insurance policy. The VIN should be listed there.

METHOD 3 Checking Whether the VIN Is Authentic

Feel the VIN plate on the dashboard.

 The VIN will either be printed on a plate or on a label. Either should be securely fastened to the dashboard. There also shouldn’t be any scratches on the VIN label or on the surrounding area, such as the windshield or dashboard. Also look for signs that the windshield may have been removed in order to pull off the VIN plate. For example, there may be loose moulding or excessive glue on the windshield.

Have a mechanic inspect the car. 

Have a mechanic inspect the car. A mechanic might be able to spot whether the car is a fake better than you can. For example, the mechanic can easily find the VINs on a car and make sure they are consistent. The mechanic might also be able to tell if the VIN plate or label has been tampered with.[16] If you are buying a used car, always insist on taking it to a mechanic before you make an offer to buy the vehicle.

Assess the VIN plate attached to the engine.

 Check for signs that the plate has been modified or moved. For example, there may be rivet holes where the plate was fastened. Alternately, you might notice that the plate is much cleaner than the rest of the firewall, which is a sign the plate is fake. Remember to match the VIN on the plate to the VIN that appears on the dashboard.

The VIN (Vehicle Identified Number) can be found directly on the vehicle usually in 2-3 fixed locations valid for all vehicles. Your documents or in some cases in the user manual.

The VIN or in some cases the chassis number, is used to uniquely indicate a specific vehicle. There are never two vehicles with the same VIN. A kind of vehicle fingerprint

Write to our customer service, send a photo of the vehicle or scan the documents (if available). We will answer you with clear indications on where to find the VIN of your vehicle.