A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique code assigned to every motor vehicle when it's manufactured. The VIN serves as the car's fingerprint, as no two vehicles in operation have the same VIN. A VIN is composed of 17 characters (digits and capital letters) that act as a unique identifier for the vehicle.
The VIN can be found in several places on your vehicle:
1. On the driver's side dashboard, visible through the windshield
2. Inside the driver's side door jamb
3. On your vehicle registration and insurance documents
4. Sometimes on the engine block or other major components
Each character in the VIN has a specific meaning. The first character indicates the country of manufacture, the second and third identify the manufacturer, the fourth through eighth describe the vehicle's features, the ninth is a security check digit, the tenth is the model year, the eleventh is the assembly plant, and the last six are the production sequence number.
A VIN check report can reveal important information about a vehicle's history, including accidents, title status, odometer readings, and recall information. This information is crucial when buying a used car to avoid potential scams or hidden problems.