Do You Know What a VIN Can Tell you?

What Does a VIN Tell You?

If you’ve ever bought or sold a car, you’ve had to write its vehicle identification number (VIN) down a few times. This long string of numbers and letters is more than just a unique device to tell one vehicle from another. A VIN can also be used to convey vital information like model year, manufacturer and where it was built. There are several free online tools available that will decode a VIN and tell you just about anything you need to know. Let’s take a closer look at this help piece of crucial information.

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How is a VIN Used?

There is a critical use for a VIN at almost every stage of the lifecycle of a car, truck, or SUV. Dealerships, like Davey Auto Sales, use the VIN for a variety of things, including inventory tracking. Service technicians use the VIN to verify the vehicle’s they’re working with to ensure they are following a manufacturer’s maintenance procedures and using the correct parts. Insurance companies also pay close attention to the VIN to help determine rates, deductibles, etc. 

Someone buying a used vehicle can enter a VIN into a decoder to learn if it has been in an accident or if there are active recalls on the books.

What do VIN Numbers Mean?

Every VIN uses a 17-character string of numbers and letters. The coded information in the VIN is broken into three sections.

• The first three digits define the country of origin, manufacturer, region where it was built and manufacturing division.
• The next six digits describe the model, body style, restraint system, transmission, engine and fraud detection device.
• The final eight digits indicate model year, manufacturing plant and unique vehicle serial number.

Where is a VIN Found on a Car?

Because the VIN is so important in so many ways, it is located in several areas around the vehicle. You can find the VIN in these areas:

• Driver’s side interior dashboard
• Driver’s side door jamb
• Under the hood
• Front end of the frame
• On registration paperwork
• Title documents

Make an appointment with Davey Auto Sales today if you’re ready to find a safe and reliable pre-owned car, truck or SUV.