What is a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)?

September 26, 2023

The acronym VIN stands for vehicle identification number, a unique 17-digit alpha and numeric string of characters for each and every vehicle manufactured or imported since the 1981 model year. The U.S. Department of Transportation mandates that every automaker stamp a VIN on every car off the assembly line or imported into the U.S. to track vehicle registrations, recalls, warranty claims, thefts and insurance coverage.

A VIN acts like a car’s unique social security number, but it’s used for most other vehicles that fall under the purview of government oversight, such as passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, trailers, low-speed vehicles, restomods, one-offs, modified vehicles, motorcycles, and more. Each character in the VIN has a specific purpose.

What do the characters in the VIN mean?

1^st character – identifies the country of manufacture. For example, U.S. (1 or 4), Canada (2), Mexico (3), Japan (J), Korea (K), England (S), Germany (W), Italy (Z)

2^nd – identifies the manufacturer. For example, Audi (A), BMW (B), General Motors (G), Ford (F), Honda (H), Mercedes-Benz (D), Nissan (N), Toyota (T), Volkswagen (V)

3^rd – identifies the vehicle type or manufacturing division

4^th through 8^th – identifies vehicle attributes, such as body style and engine type

9^th – called the “check digit,” the ninth character uniquely identifies the vehicle, ensuring that no two cars within a 30-year period have the same VIN

10^th – identifies the model year

11^th – identifies the assembly plant

12^th through 17^th – identifies the sequence of the vehicle off the assembly line, with the last four characters always numeric

Where can I find the VIN?

The VIN appears in several places, both on the vehicle itself and in official documentation when registering vehicle ownership. Like a social security number, it’s important to protect the VIN to prevent fraud or make it easier to steal the car. 

Where is the VIN located in the car?

Auto manufacturers stamp the VIN in several different places on a vehicle.

• The most visible one is near the driver’s side cowl, inside on the dash by the front windshield, located on the driver side interior dash by the windshield. 
• Another location is on the driver’s side door jamb. 
• A VIN may be stamped on the front or top of the engine block, the engine frame, and many other hidden parts of the vehicle.
• Consumers can also opt to have their VIN permanently etched into various parts of the car, a practice encouraged by insurance companies to help discourage theft and selling of car parts.

Where is the VIN located in the paperwork?

The VIN typically appears in four places related to ownership, registration, and insurance of the car.

• It’s always on the vehicle title, typically near the top of the title, but it can vary based on the state. 
• It also appears on your vehicle registration card, which is typically kept in the glovebox with the insurance card and owner’s manual.  
• The VIN also comes in the printed owner’s manual.
• The insurance card also shows the VIN. 

What can I do with my VIN?

VIN decoder by NHTSA

Tracking a VIN online lets you search the vehicle’s country of origin and other historical data as provided by the decoder mentioned above. The NHTSA’s VIN decoder portal provides the information supplied by the manufacturer to the government. 

For insurance purposes

To track recalls

To obtain Carfax and other vehicle data sets

For title transfer

What about imports?

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