VIN number – what is it and why is it important?
When buying a car, the VIN number is often checked with a VIN check website before signing the contract. So it's worth knowing what it is, what it consists of, how to check it and where to find it in the car. This information is essential for anyone buying a new or used car.
What is a VIN number?
The acronym VIN comes from the term 'Vehicle Identification Number'. This number is assigned to the vehicle by the manufacturer. It is good to know that in each country different standards may be used, but they are bound by a notation of seventeen 17 characters. You should also know that before 1981 there was no single standard. This means that manufacturers have used different VIN formats, therefore checking history using the VIN number was very difficult, and often even impossible.
What is a VIN number?
The VIN takes the form of 17 characters. It consists of letters and numbers. However, letters such as "O" and "I" are not used because they can be confused with the numbers "0" or "1". Each number is unique and assigned to a given vehicle. This makes it very easy to use the VIN decoder later. So how do you read the VIN number? According to the applicable ISO standard, the VIN number consists of three parts. The first is the WMI. It consists of the first three characters that represent the global symbol of the car manufacturer You should know that this code is issued by the competent office of the country from the vehicle manufacturer. However, it is issued on the basis of an agreement with the ISO standardization body or its national representative. The second part is the VDS. It consists of 5 or 6 characters. Their characteristic is that on their basis one can learn some technical data and characteristics of the vehicle and that they are coded by the manufacturers themselves. The last part is the VIS. This is the serial number of the car. It is usually eight characters, starting from the end of the VIN. This is information such as the year of production and the assembly plant of the vehicle. They are coded sequentially at positions 10 and 11. The remaining digits, in turn, specify the serial number of the vehicle. Thus, WMI + VDS + VIS make up the chassis number VIN which always has 17 characters.
Where to find the VIN?
The VIN number is most often found on the nameplate located under the car's windshield. driver's side, on the engine, or near the door. Another place the VIN can be placed is the driver's side pillar. In addition, here there is also a vehicle label, which contains all manufacturer data, technical data, and, of course, the VIN number. In the case of passenger cars, the VIN can be found on the center stack or on the floor near the passenger seat or wheel well. It can also be found on the trunk floor. The easiest way to find this number is gray card.