A VIN, or Vehicle Identification Number, is a unique 17-character code assigned to every car. It acts as a fingerprint, containing essential details about the car, such as its manufacturer, model year, production location, and unique serial number.

The VIN is also crucial for verifying the vehicle’s authenticity, recording various events during its lifetime, and ensuring it hasn’t been stolen or tampered with.

Where can I find the VIN?

You can locate the VIN on both the vehicle itself and its official documents.

On a car:

• Dashboard – Check the driver’s side near the windshield.
• Driver’s side door pillar – Look along the side pillar of the driver’s door frame, often near the door hinge.
• Front end of the frame – Check the frame near the front of the vehicle, often on the driver’s side, near the wheel well.
• Under the hood – Some manufacturers place the VIN near the engine block.

On a motorcycle:

• Steering head (most common) – Typically stamped or engraved on the steering head of the motorcycle, which is the part of the frame that connects to the front fork.
• Frame rail – Some motorcycles may have the VIN located on the frame rail, which is a structural part of the chassis running along the sides of the bike.
• Bottom of the engine (rare) – In rare cases, the VIN may be stamped or engraved on the bottom of the engine.

Tip: The VIN is also printed on official vehicle registration, insurance, and ownership documents. Always ensure the VIN on the vehicle matches the one on the paperwork.

How to decode a VIN

A VIN can be decoded automatically using a VIN decoder or manually by breaking down its structure.

1. Use a carVertical VIN decoder

Just enter the VIN into the carVertical VIN decoder and click Decode VIN. You can also check the vehicle's history by using the Reg number.

2. Decode manually

You can also decode a VIN manually if you know what each character represents. However, this can be time-consuming, as manufacturers use different encoding systems for vehicle details.

VIN structure breakdown:

• WMI – World Manufacturer Identifier (Characters 1-3): Typically identifies the vehicle’s manufacturer and country of origin.
• VDS – Vehicle Descriptor Section (Characters 4-8): Reveals the vehicle’s brand, body style, engine size, and model type, and similar details.
• Check Digit (Character 9): A security code calculated using a mathematical formula to validate the VIN’s authenticity.
• VIS – Vehicle Identifier Section (Characters 10-17): Characters 10 and 11 indicate the model year and assembly plant, while characters 12 to 17 represent the vehicle's unique serial number.

How to spot a fake or tampered VIN

A legitimate VIN should always be consistent, clear, and match official records. Here are key warning signs that a VIN might be fake or altered:

• Missing or altered characters
• Physical tampering signs (cratches, uneven paint, altered VIN plate)
• Unusual characters (includes I, O, or Q)
• VIN location mismatch (unusual or non-standard location)
• Check digit mismatch (doesn’t match the calculated value)
• Non-matching documents (VIN on the vehicle doesn’t match the one on its documents), etc.

Always verify the VIN before purchasing a used vehicle to avoid scams.

Still have questions? If you need any help with your VIN, feel free to reach out to our support team – we’ll be happy to assist you!