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HOW TO FIND OUT THE VIN CODE OF A CAR AND WHAT IS IT FOR

To find out who a car is registered to, you just need to look at the VIN code. It is also called the transport identification number. Such numbers began to be used in 1977. After it was introduced into the standard procedure when buying a car, it became easier to find your car if it was stolen.

The VIN code consists of 17 digits and letters. The VIN codes do not have only letters such as "O, Q, I", as they are very similar to the numbers 0 and 1. In addition, this indicator is well protected from re-punching the number in case of theft. The method of protection against re-punching is the checksum algorithm.

How to find the VIN code in a car?

When a person buys a car, he usually knows about the VIN code, as it is written in the documents for the car. But almost no one knows that it is also on the car. Usually it can be on the body or chassis - these are the most common places for the code to be found. The more of these markings there are all over the car, the better for the owner, as it will be more difficult to sell his car if it is stolen.

You can view the code:

• on the nameplate under the windshield;
• on the front door frame;
• under the carpet near the front passenger seat;
• on the engine;
• on the front pillar;
• under the hood near the left wing;
• on the steering column;
• on the heat-insulating partition;
• on the inner arch of the left wheel;
• on the bracket supporting the radiator.

If you want to find the VIN code the first time, it should definitely be on the top of the instrument panel. But cars that are not manufactured in the CIS may have a different location of the identification number. If you have an American-made car, then the number may be indicated on the dashboard, in the door opening and under the hood. And if we consider the car market as a whole, then VIN codes should be on one of the cylinders or thresholds by standard.

If you buy a car from someone, it is better to make sure that the car is not stolen. Of course, if you look at the documents, everything is always correct, since it is not difficult to forge them these days, but it is much more difficult to rewrite the VIN code. With its help, you can also find out where the car was assembled, the year of its production and the manufacturer.

However, each car brand must indicate in the documents where the VIN code is stamped. The most common marking locations are:

• Under the driver's seat;
• Dashboard;
• In the engine compartment;
• On the threshold and under the driver's door.

What is the significance of the VIN code?

When you buy a used car, carefully examine the VIN numbers. It may be that they are re-stamped in the most visible place. Also, pay attention that there are no chips or scratches near the number.

It is important to know when buying a used car of any brand where the VIN code is located, so that you can easily VIN check it and not in one place. Because if you buy a stolen car, and then law enforcement agencies take it away from you, you will not get your money back.

by Andrea Wilkinson on 2024-10-25 10:50:12