VIN Numbers Revealed
"What You Should Know about VIN Numbers"
All cars and light trucks built after 1981 have a 17-character number that is unique to that individual automobile. You can use this number to get valuable detailed information about that specific car’s history. This number is actually called the vehicle identification number (VIN#).
You can get a from AutoCheck® to learn the history of your car.
The VIN is how you can get all of the records for everything that have ever happened to that car. It
The VIN number is generally engraved into the car directly or on a sticker in numerous places in the car (inside the doors, the dash, the trunk, engine, and/or quarter panels for example).
Your VIN can be used to track any recalls, registrations, warranty claims, thefts, and insurance coverage too. Before you even think of buying any specific car, you need get a VIN report. Also you want to look over the car and make sure that all of the VIN numbers you can find are the same when you look inside the car.
If they are different, the information that you will get may not be accurate and could mean the car has been totally rebuilt using parts from other cars. This would obviously be something you want to know BEFORE you shell out the cash to purchase it.
States use the VIN number so that they can track a car’s status. You need it to protect yourself by thoroughly checking the VIN number on the used car you want to buy.
To get a report on the history of the car you're interested in you have a couple of options.
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Ask your insurance agent to run it thru their system. This is a good way to get some basic info to see if there have been any insurance claims for theft or accidents etc, but they'll probably start to get annoyed if you ask them to run more than a couple different reports.
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You can get a complete report from a company that specializes in this. These reports are COMPLETE, and I DO mean complete. You'll get all the accident and theft claim information the insurance agent can give you as well as any factory recall info and a complete repair history of that individual car. This kind of information can greatly help you figure out if that car is high risk for being a "lemon". One such company is called AutoCheck®. You can
Of course, before you can get these reports you'll need to find the VIN. The locations of the vehicle identification number (VIN) often do vary but if you look below, you will learn the most common places that they can be found:
• Your car’s firewall
• Your car’s Radiator Support Bracket
• Your car’s Dash near the windshield
• The Left hand side at the inner wheel arch
• The car’s Steering column
• Check the Guarantee & Maintenance Book in glove compartment
• The Machined Pad on the front of the engine
• Drivers side door or post on passenger side
• Component parts also such as engine, frame, etc.
For the later model years locations of the VIN:
• Left instrumentation panel
• Dash plate by window
• Drivers door or post
• Firewall