{"id":746,"date":"2020-05-25T16:41:54","date_gmt":"2020-05-25T16:41:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/driversedguru.com\/?p=746"},"modified":"2022-01-17T12:52:19","modified_gmt":"2022-01-17T12:52:19","slug":"how-vin-number-lookup-decode-a-vin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/driversedguru.com\/how\/how-vin-number-lookup-decode-a-vin\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Do a VIN Number Lookup to Check Vehicle History"},"content":{"rendered":"
Bonus Learn How to Decode a VIN!<\/em><\/p>\n Are you buying a used car? Wouldn\u2019t it be great to know whether that vehicle has been involved in an accident, was repossessed, or has undergone major repair work? Good news: you can! By researching the vehicle identification number (VIN)<\/a> of a vehicle you are considering buying, you can find out this crucial information about the vehicle and make an informed decision about purchasing it. However, there are some tips and tricks that you should be aware of to make the most of this information.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A vehicle identification number is a unique 17-digit code, which is assigned to a vehicle that is different than any other number assigned to other motor vehicles. This combination of letters and numbers helps to identify a specific vehicle. The VIN is used to create a vehicle history file specific to one vehicle. You will not typically become aware of this information simply by looking at a vehicle without completing a VIN check.<\/p>\n Different organizations use VINs in various ways. For example:<\/p>\n Checking a vehicle\u2019s VIN can help you find out important information about a vehicle, such as:<\/p>\n Many different types of agencies and organizations record details about a vehicle\u2019s history that you can glean from a VIN check, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration<\/a>. This organization receives information from vehicle manufacturers and shares this information to the vehicle history report. So, if you are planning on buying a used vehicle, conducting this check can allow you to learn things about a vehicle that you might otherwise not know. A VIN check can also help you avoid issues with buying a car that does not have a clean title.<\/p>\n While you may be able to get some free information from a VIN check, U.S. News reports<\/a> that paying for a thorough VIN check can get you more information on your vehicle, such as how many owners it has had.<\/p>\n You may be able to find the VIN in multiple locations<\/a>, including:<\/p>\n The VIN is located on the front dashboard on the driver\u2019s side of most vehicles. It is usually visible through the windshield. The second most common location for a VIN is on the driver\u2019s side door jamb. You may see the VIN when you open the driver\u2019s side door near the door latch. Some vehicles have the VIN on the engine<\/a> or inside the hood.<\/p>\n VINs are also provided to other types of vehicles, like motorcycles and ATVs. A motorcycle\u2019s VIN is typically found on the steering neck of the bike below its handlebars. Other motorcycles may have their VIN on the motor or its nearby frame. The VIN for a semi-trailer is usually on the front left side of the trailer.<\/p>\n The VIN is typically included on the vehicle\u2019s title and insurance card. You can also ask the owner of the vehicle to provide you with the VIN.<\/p>\n ATVs, four wheelers, and three wheelers also have VINs. Check the vehicle owner\u2019s manual on where to find this information.<\/p>\n If you are considering purchasing a vehicle online, the VIN is often listed with the vehicle online, so you can use this information to complete your VIN check.<\/p>\n The 17 characters assigned to a motor vehicle have special meaning. Your VIN may consist of any capital letters, except I, O, and Q, which are deleted to avoid confusing them with the numbers 0 or 1.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You can use a VIN Decoder for vehicles manufactured since 1981. Vehicles older than this also have a VIN, but it is usually 11 characters and does not follow the code described below.<\/p>\n Each section of the VIN provides specific information about the vehicle, like where the vehicle was manufactured, year, make, model, and factory, among others<\/strong>.<\/p>\n A simple VIN check may only access the most readily available information. It may be able to identify the biggest red flags, such as a salvaged title.<\/p>\n However, more detailed VIN lookups<\/a> can include more extensive information, including:<\/p>\n You can use free VIN check services<\/a> to get the broadest information about the vehicle<\/a>. You may also be able to see if the car dealership where you are planning on purchasing a vehicle provides a free vehicle history report, since many dealerships pay for a subscription service that gives them access to reports, so they may give you a copy if you ask politely. Even if a private seller is selling the vehicle, you may be able to ask for a vehicle history report and the seller may be willing to obtain this information for you.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You can usually pay a little more money for a VIN check that may include additional information, such as a numerical score for the vehicle. You can use this information to compare a few different vehicles to see which one is the better buy. Some vehicle history report services give you a larger number of reports to use in a shorter period of time for this purpose.<\/p>\n The most common and practical use for a VIN check or vehicle history report is to check the history of a used vehicle<\/a> before buying it. You may find out information about the car that may make you reconsider the purchase, such as if it was considered a total loss during a previous insurance claim. If you purchase a vehicle like this, you can expect the insurance company not to assign much value to the vehicle if you later need to use insurance after an accident or incident.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n These resources may also help you learn that the vehicle sustained flood damage or structural damage that may impact its mechanics or make it unsafe to drive. You may learn that it has other noteworthy repairs or that its odometer has been rolled back that may affect its value or your trust in it. You may also learn that it has flawed airbags or another missing safety feature that could impact you if you were in an accident in the vehicle. You can also learn if the vehicle was discussed in a police report, such as being involved in a crime.<\/p>\n On the contrary, you may find that the information related to the vehicle is good, such as only having one or two registered owners and receiving regular maintenance.<\/p>\n Ultimately, these tools can help you determine whether a particular vehicle is right for you. You can also uncover potential safety issues before you make a purchase.<\/p>\n Dealers who know how important a VIN check is to a potential buyer may try to defraud you. Criminals may clone a VIN to hide a stolen car<\/a> or give you information about a different vehicle than the one you are considering. Be careful when accepting this information and verify it against the vehicle you are considering.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Bonus Learn How to Decode a VIN! Are you buying a used car? Wouldn\u2019t it be great to know whether that vehicle has been involved in an accident, was repossessed, or has undergone major repair work? Good news: you can! By researching the vehicle identification number (VIN) of a vehicle you are considering buying, you […]","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\nWhat is a VIN?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
How Are VINs Used?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Why Is a VIN Check Important?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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How to Locate a VIN Number?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
1. <\/strong>On the Vehicle<\/strong><\/h3>\n
2. <\/strong>In Paperwork<\/strong><\/h3>\n
3. <\/strong>Online<\/strong><\/h3>\n
How to Use a VIN Decoder?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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What Does a Vehicle History Report Include?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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How to Get a VIN Check or Vehicle History Report<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Using a VIN Check or Vehicle History Report when Buying a Used Car<\/h3>\n
VIN Fraud<\/h4>\n