VIN code is the car body number, the short name is an abbreviation of the phrase "Vehicle Identification Number". It consists of seventeen characters, including numbers and letters. To ensure uniqueness, this code does not use I, O and Q, since they are too similar to the numbers 0 and 1. Unlike the car documents, this number is assigned by the manufacturer and does not change over time. Simply put, the VIN code with which the car was released from the conveyor is the same with which the car will be dismantled or scrapped.

However, the combination of letters and numbers is not just unique, it contains information about the year of manufacture, manufacturer, and characteristics of the vehicle. Knowing the VIN code of a car is important not only for the ability to find it and protect it from damage. The data will also allow you to classify the car and check whether the seller is trying to sell you a car that is wanted. The year of manufacture and many other data in paper documents are easy to forge, especially with modern technology. But changing the VIN code is not an easy task.

What information can be gleaned from a VIN?

The code is also indicated in the documents - in the vehicle passport or vehicle registration certificate. You can check the history of a car by VIN check, body number and chassis on the traffic police website. There you can find out not only the history, but also the number of owners, whether there were any accidents involving the car, whether the car is listed as pledged or stolen, and whether the car has a registration ban. There are websites where you can decipher the code online, without wasting time doing everything yourself. This only makes sense if you are dealing with rare and expensive cars, and you need to know all the details as accurately as possible, as this affects the price.

Here's what the code contains:

Where to look for VIN?

Since VIN is a unique number and you can find out almost everything about the car using it, it is important that it is difficult to access so that it is extremely difficult to change it.

VIN code can be found:

On American-made cars, the body number can also be placed on the dashboard on the driver's side, where the windshield meets the hood. A sticker with this number is usually placed in the driver's door opening, which duplicates it. In general, there is one requirement for the location of the number - it is placed on integral components of the body, chassis and on nameplates. If the car has a frame structure, the code can be applied to the side members. This complicates the work of those who want to change this code.

Please also note that it is worth checking all the places where the number may be. Do not hesitate to carefully examine its location and check several places - often scammers change the number in the place where it is easiest to change it, hoping that the buyer will be too lazy to check the other places.