Understanding Vehicle identification Numbers To ensure it is easy to identify each vehicle produced, each one is assigned a Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN, on the production line. This unique code includes letters and numbers, and is found on all motor vehicles, motorcycles and other two-wheel powered vehicles as well as towed vehicles such as trailers. Each VIN contains information about the manufacturer, year of production and location it was made, while in modern vehicles, it is also used as a reference for key codes and electronic entry systems when they need repair work. They are usually a 17-digit code, and look something like this: 1HGBH41JXMN109186 They are crucial for various aspects of a vehicle’s life, but most commonly during a transaction or fleet mananagement involving a specific vehicle. They can be used to trace the history of a vehicle, essential for purchasers, and allow verification that the vehicle is what a seller claims it is, without relying on easily faked license plates. Keep Track of All Your Vehicle data How to decode a VIN If you want to use a vehicle identification number to gain some insight into a specific vehicle, you need to know how to decode the information within the Vin itself. This is divided into 3 sections as follows: The World Manufacturer identifier (WMI) — The first three characters in the VIN tell you who the manufacturer was, and in which country it was made. The Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) — The next 6 characters following the WMI tell you about the vehicle itself, including model, body and engine type. The Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS) — The final 8 characters in the VIN are the unique serial number for the vehicle, and are used to identify each specific vehicle. Using this information, buyers, mechanics and more can quickly gain an understanding of what a vehicle is, how old it is and where it comes from. Cross checking a VIN with the manufacturer can help identify vehicle specifications, any outstanding recall work, warranty status and more. If we take our example VIN number, 1HGBH41JXMN109186, we can look at each section in turn as an example of what they mean. 1HG: World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) 1: Country of origin (e.g., 1 or 4 for the USA, J for Japan, W for Germany) HG: Manufacturer (e.g., HG for Honda) B: Vehicle Type or Manufacturing Division This character can indicate the vehicle type (e.g., car, truck) or division within the manufacturer. H41JX: Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) H: Model (This character can specify the model of the vehicle) 4: Body type (e.g., 4 for a sedan) 1: Engine type (The number or letter here signifies the type of engine) J: Security Code (A check digit for security purposes) X: Model year (X might represent a specific year; each letter or number corresponds to a specific year, with a standardized chart available for reference) MN109186: Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS) M: Assembly plant (The letter or number here identifies the plant where the vehicle was assembled) N109186: Serial number (The last six characters represent the vehicle's unique serial number, distinguishing it from other vehicles) Understanding the VIN through this example: The vehicle is manufactured in the USA by Honda. The specific model and body type information indicate it is likely a sedan with a particular engine type. The model year is encoded by the letter "X", which corresponds to a specific year according to the VIN decoding chart. It was assembled in a plant designated by "M", and its unique serial number is 109186. As you can see, a VIN provides a simple, fast way of finding out all the information you need about a specific vehicle. Discover Now! Is a VIN Lookup Important? You may have heard of someone performing a VIN lookup, especially if they are buying a vehicle, but is it as useful as some claim, and should you be performing a vehicle identification number lookup if you are buying a vehicle, or want to find out more information about a car you just bought? In short, a used vehicle is a bit like an iceberg, you can only see a small part of its history when you look at it. From any accidents it may have been in to whether it really is the vehicle claimed, whether it has ever been stolen and so much more, you really cannot know much of the history of any used vehicle. Unless you perform a Vin Lookup. Here’s the information you can find from a lookup: Vehicle History — A VIN lookup can provide a detailed history report on the vehicle, from previous owners to service reports, accident repair work and more. This can all affect the suitability of the vehicle, and its value, for a buyer. Vehicle Verification — The VIN lookup will confirm the details of the vehicle and whether it is exactly what it is claimed to be. Theft Checks — Find out if the vehicle has been reported stolen, as buying a stolen vehicle can be a very expensive mistake with complex legal issues. Recall Confirmation — Check if the vehicle is subject to a recall, and if so, has the recall work been completed. Some recalls are about crucial safety issues, and you need to know if that work has been completed. Warranty Information — If the vehicle is relatively new, a VIN Lookup can tell you if the warranty is still active or not, which can influence your purchase choice and affect the vehicle’s value. Insurance and Registration — Both DMVs and Insurance Companies use the VIN to track registration and insurance policy cover for vehicles. Peace of Mind — The more information you have, the easier it is to make decisions about a vehicle. If you know it is clean with a good history, you can make a purchase choice without worry. Conclusion When it comes to gathering information about a vehicle, whether one you own or are looking to buy, the vehicle identification number is a crucial tool to use. VIN lookups provide a wealth of information about the vehicle’s history as well as its current status, protect you against purchasing stolen vehicles and avoiding cars with faked identities. Questions? Let’s get in touch!
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