Where Do You Find a Car's VIN?

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Expert-approved guidance on locating vehicle identification numbers
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A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is like your car’s fingerprint. Every car has a unique number that identifies it, and you can use a car’s VIN to find all kinds of important info about the vehicle. While the VIN is located on multiple points on your car, you can also find the VIN on many car documents as well. To break everything down and help you find your VIN, we spoke to Audra Fordin, a certified auto technician and owner of a repair shop.

Where to Find the VIN Number on Your Car

  1. Look for the VIN under the windshield on the driver’s side of the car.
  2. The VIN is also located on the inside jamb of the driver’s side door.
  3. Check your registration, insurance card, or finance documents to find the VIN if you don’t see it on the car.
Section 1 of 4:

Locating the VIN on the Car

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    Fordin explains that 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. [2]
    • The VIN should have 17 characters if the car was manufactured after 1981. Vehicles manufactured before that date had VINs from 11 to 17 characters. [3]
    • A typical VIN might read 1HGBM22JXMN109186.
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    Fordin points out that sometimes, the VIN will appear on the car frame, near the windshield washer container. [4] Crouch down in front of the car on the driver’s side and check. [5]
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    According to Fordin, the VIN should also appear on the Federal Safety Certification Label which is in all new cars. [6] This label should appear on the driver’s side door in the following places: [7]
    • 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 doorjamb. Open the door and look straight ahead. The VIN should be inside the doorjamb, where the mirror is located when the door is shut.
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    The VIN sometimes appears underneath the spare tire, which is usually in the trunk. [8] Pick up the tire to check.
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    Crouch down beside the car, near the rear wheel on the driver’s side. Look up into the well, above the tire. The VIN might be located there, inside the wheel well. [9]
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    Fordin explains that you may be able to pop open the hood and check the front of the engine to find the VIN. [10] 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. [11]
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Section 2 of 4:

Finding the VIN on Documents

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    You can find the VIN on the title document. It will appear in different places, depending on your state, but should be on the front of the title near the top. [12]
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    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. [13]
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    If you’ve looked everywhere but couldn’t find the VIN, call whoever sold you the car (or made it) and ask for help. [14] Give them the make and model of your car and ask where the VIN is located. They may even be able to look the vin up for you.
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    You probably had to provide the VIN to your insurer, so check your insurance card or insurance policy. The VIN should be listed on the policy, card, and any other documents that contain identifying informationyou’re your vehicle. [15]
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    If the car is older and has an MOT certificate, the VIN is the first item listed on that certificate. [16]
    • Just FYI, the VIN is also known as the chassis number in the UK. These are the same thing.
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    The VIN should also appear in the owner’s manual that came with the car. [17] If the car is new, you should have the manual. However, you might not have it if you bought a used car.
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Section 3 of 4:

Confirming the VIN Is Authentic

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    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 molding or excessive glue on the windshield.
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    In the US, Federal law requires newer vehicles have a safety label, which should contain the VIN. This label is typically located inside the driver’s side door, and is affixed to the rear or forward door pillar post. It may also be on the door itself. [18] Check for signs the label may have been tampered with:
    • The label should be entirely fastened to the vehicle without any loose corners.
    • There shouldn’t be any tears or scratches on the label. In particular, pay attention to the VIN.
    • The label should have a shiny clear coat.
    • The label should be smooth to the touch, without scratches.
    • The label shouldn’t be partially obscured with a screw or rust proofing material.
    • The VIN on the certification label should match the VINs that appear elsewhere on the vehicle.
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    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. [19]
    • Remember to match the VIN on the plate to the VIN that appears on the dashboard.
    • A lot of cars do not have a VIN number on the engine block, so if the engine plate is missing it isn’t necessarily a sign that anything suspicious has occurred.
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    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. [20]
    • If you are buying a used car, always insist on taking it to a mechanic before you make an offer to buy the vehicle.
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    Visit the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s website to perform a VIN check. When a car is reported stolen, the VIN will be entered into the database. [21]
    • Some thieves will pull VIN plates and labels from cars that have been junked or stolen. They then attach the plate/label to their stolen car.
    • Call the police if the VIN shows up in the database.
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    Analyze the car’s service report using Carfax’s VIN lookup . You used to need to buy service reports, but you can look them up for free these days. [22] Enter the VIN number in the lookup tool and check to see that the car described in the report matches the car with the VIN.
    • For example, the service report might describe the car as a 2016 Honda Accord, but the car you have been looking at is a 2015 Subaru. In this situation, the VIN has been stolen from one car and put on another.
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Section 4 of 4:

Frequently Asked Questions

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    A car’s VIN is sort of the equivalent to your social security number. It is the most secure way to prove that the vehicle is actually the correct make, model, mileage, color, etc. A VIN can also tell people what kind of work has been performed on the vehicle or [23]
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    Every repair, serious incident, crash, and recall is recorded. Those recordings are tied to your vehicle’s VIN—not its make, model, plate, etc. So, the VIN is the only way to prove that a vehicle’s history is accurate. Without the VIN, there’s no way to actually demonstrate that certain repairs or crashes occurred. [24]
    • This is why it’s dangerous to buy a car without a valid and matching VIN. You cannot prove that the vehicle wasn’t totaled or stolen at some point.
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    The VIN is the only 100% accurate way to identify a vehicle. Without a VIN, you’d never be able to register your vehicle, get insurance, or prove that you even own the vehicle in the first place. [25]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Is the VIN number in more than one place?
    Audra Fordin
    Certified Automotive Technician
    Audra Fordin is a Certified Automotive Technician, the Founder of Women Auto Know, and the Owner of Great Bear Auto Repair in Flushing, New York. With more than 38 years of experience, she has intensive knowledge about foreign and domestic auto repairs. Audra has been featured on numerous news and talk shows such as The Today Show, Inside Edition, and Anderson Cooper.
    Audra Fordin
    Certified Automotive Technician
    Expert Answer
    Yes, depending on the type of car you have! Newer cars have the VIN number stamped on nearly every single part to help in case of a potential car theft.
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    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 3
  • Question
    How can I get my car's VIN if it was towed?
    Community Answer
    If your car was towed and you don't have any vehicle information on it at all, you may want to call your local police department as all towing companies are required to notify the authorities when a vehicle is towed. Provide the time and place where the vehicle was towed, and they may be able to help you retrieve your car from the towing company. If it was towed from a private property, like an apartment complex or shopping center, you will need to get with the management office to obtain the towing company's information. If you have insurance on the vehicle, the policy or proof of insurance card will have the VIN number. (You should also be aware that in order to claim your vehicle, you will have to show proof of ownership by way of title.)
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    I have changed the door of my car due to an accident. How and where can I retrieve my VIN on the new door?
    Dan Rich
    Community Answer
    Cars have several places where VINs are located. Check on the dashboard near the bottom corners of the windshield, and look under the hood in the engine compartment. Also check paperwork like insurance, registration, and title. They will all have your vehicle's VIN.
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      References

      1. ↑ Audra Fordin. Certified Automotive Technician. Expert Interview. 13 January 2022.
      2. ↑ https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls
      3. ↑ https://www.autocheck.com/vehiclehistory/vin-basics
      4. ↑ Audra Fordin. Certified Automotive Technician. Expert Interview. 13 January 2022.
      5. ↑ https://www.dmv.org/vehicle-history/find-vin.php
      6. ↑ Audra Fordin. Certified Automotive Technician. Expert Interview. 13 January 2022.
      7. ↑ https://www.autocheck.com/vehiclehistory/vin-basics
      8. ↑ https://www.dmv.org/vehicle-history/find-vin.php
      9. ↑ https://www.dmv.org/vehicle-history/find-vin.php
      1. ↑ Audra Fordin. Certified Automotive Technician. Expert Interview. 13 January 2022.
      2. ↑ https://www.nicb.org/sites/files/2019-06/vehicle_id_insp_guide_010611.pdf
      3. ↑ https://www.autocheck.com/vehiclehistory/vin-basics
      4. ↑ https://www.dmv.pa.gov/ONLINE-SERVICES/Pages/Where-Title-Number.aspx
      5. ↑ https://www.dmv.org/vehicle-history/find-vin.php
      6. ↑ https://www.autocheck.com/vehiclehistory/vin-basics
      7. ↑ https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-for-private-passenger-and-light-commercial-vehicles/0-identification-of-the-vehicle
      8. ↑ https://www.dmv.org/vehicle-history/find-vin.php
      9. ↑ https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/vehicles/title-plates/foreign-veh.aspx
      10. ↑ https://uaw.org/standing-committees/union-label/how-to-read-your-vin/
      11. ↑ https://www.dmv.org/vehicle-history/vin-fraud.php
      12. ↑ https://www.nicb.org/theft_and_fraud_awareness/vincheck
      13. ↑ https://www.carfax.com/vehicle-history-reports/
      14. ↑ https://www.autocheck.com/vehiclehistory/vin-basics
      15. ↑ https://portal.ct.gov/dmv/vehicle-services/verify-a-vin
      16. ↑ https://portal.ct.gov/dmv/vehicle-services/verify-a-vin

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To find your car’s VIN, or vehicle identification number, check various locations inside your car, like on the lower left-hand side of the dashboard or on the inside of the driver-side door. If you don’t find the VIN in these spots, check the front of the engine, on the front of your car’s frame, or underneath the spare tire in the trunk. Look for a code that’s between 11-17 characters long and includes both numbers and letters. You can also find the VIN on your car’s title document, on your registration card, and on the identification card for your car insurance. To learn how to determine if a VIN is authentic, read on!

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