Where Is the VIN Number on a Car?

A car VIN number (or just a VIN) serves a very important function for every new and used vehicle you see on our lot near Brazil. When someone from Sullivan trades in a vehicle, they might ask us, “Where is the VIN number on a car?” or, “What is a VIN number?” The answers to both of these questions are simple. Our guide will answer these questions and provide more details about a car’s VIN number.

Where Is the VIN Number on a Car Precisely?

Your car’s VIN number can appear in one of two places.

  1. Stand outside of your new vehicle on the driver’s side. Inspect the corner of the dashboard where it and the windshield meet. You should be able to find the car’s VIN number there.
  2. If you can’t find it on the corner of the dash, open the driver’s door. Look where the door latches to the frame. You will probably see it on the doorpost.

Now that you know where to find the car’s VIN number, discover more information about what a VIN number is.

What Is a VIN Number?

VIN is an acronym for vehicle identification number. (So, technically, saying VIN number is saying “vehicle identification number number”).

VINs are 17 characters long, consisting of both letters and numbers. Each VIN is unique to the vehicle, kind of like a Social Security number or fingerprints. No two vehicles on the road have the same VIN. A VIN from a car or truck manufactured before 1981 is less than 17 characters long.

Here’s an example of what a VIN looks like, comprised of digits and capital letters:

1G1YZ23J9P5803427 

Your car’s VIN provides identifying information about the car’s manufacturer, specifications, features, and more in this jumble of letters and numbers. The VIN can also provide insights into the registration information, active recalls, warranty claims, theft, and insurance coverage when searching for your car’s VIN on the internet or in forms when you need to submit the VIN.

What Do the Different Characters in a VIN Mean?

Here’s a quick look at what type of information each of the numbers and letters in a VIN contains:

  • Character 1: Country
  • Character 2: Manufacturer
  • Character 3: Vehicle Type or Manufacturing Division
  • Character 4: Body Type
  • Character 5: Engine
  • Character 6: Series
  • Character 7: Restraint Type
  • Character 8: Model
  • Character 9: Check Digit to detect a valid VIN
  • Character 10: Model Year
  • Character 11: Plant
  • Last Six Characters: Car’s Serial Number

Learn More About Your Car’s VIN from Terre Haute Chevrolet

Have any more questions about your car’s VIN? Contact us or call (812) 872-5250. Our service team or auto finance experts would be happy to answer any questions you have!

 

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