How Can I Check a Vin Number on a Car

Things You Can Use the VIN for

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There are several ways cars are identified. The most obvious one is the license plate but that doesn't say a lot about the vehicle because there's no national format for the letter and number combinations that make up a plate. When you consider vanity plates too that represent the owner rather than the car, you can see that license plates are not an accurate way of identifying cars. Thankfully each car is given a vehicle identification number (VIN) when it comes out of the factory. This is the most accurate way of identifying the vehicle as, unlike the license plate, it can't be changed.

What is a VIN?

The car's VIN is unique to it. For that reason, it's the best way of identifying your car when it needs to be recalled or even when you need new parts for it. The 17 digit code is made up of letters and numbers that show where the vehicle was built, who manufactured it, its brand, its engine size and type, and the model year. It even tells us which plant assembled the vehicle.

Where is the VIN?

For decades the VIN was only shown on the chassis but car makers understand that owners can do more things with the VIN than before so cars now quote the VIN at the base of the windshield. That's convenient for car buyers because you can take a note of it when you walk around a used car lot. Before you buy a car you can use its VIN to find out what records are held on the Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) database.

Car Information by VIN

The MVR database can tell you if the car has ever been involved in a major accident, which might not be something the current owner wants to admit. You can use the database to establish how many owners the car's had, which affects its value on the used car market. It can give you the odometer reading and show if the vehicle's mileage has been rolled back. You can also find out if the current owner has placed a lien on the car, which means the car is being used as security or collateral on a debt that's not been discharged.

Insurance by VIN

Getting auto insurance is easier when you know the VIN. That's because the insurance underwriter will use it to carry out the same checks you can. As the VIN holds details about the car, who manufactured it and the engine size and type, the insurer will get information on the car that the owner might get wrong when completing a form. This works in your favor because the more they know about the car, the more accurate the quote will be. Some states require insurance firms to provide the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) with your VIN along with the insurance policy number so they can police uninsured vehicles.

VIN for Recalls

When a car maker has to recall vehicles the best way for them to make sure they recall the right ones is to use the VIN. Owners don't always know that their car has been recalled but they can use the VIN to check for outstanding recalls. Typing the VIN into a website set up by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows any incomplete recalls and any safety recalls conducted over the last 15 calendar years. It's not perfect though because recently announced safety recalls aren't always shown on the site if the manufacturer hasn't yet identified every VIN.

VIN for Other Things

Auto parts stores sometimes allow you to look up parts for your car using the VIN. As long as the car's not been modified too much, it's the best way of making sure you get the right parts for the car when you need replacements. You can also use the VIN to buy a car key. Like buying parts, using the VIN for a car key is more accurate than any other method, unless the locks have been changed.

How Can I Check a Vin Number on a Car

Source: https://www.life123.com/article/things-you-can-use-the-vin-for?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740009%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex

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