Before buying a car, especially a used one, you should look into the car’s history to get valuable information, including the vehicle’s title, past accidents, and manufacturer defects, among other things. To do this, you’ll need your car’s vehicle identification number (VIN).
Read on to discover the importance of checking out a vehicle’s VIN before making a purchase.
Key Points You Should Know About VIN
| What Is It? | A vehicle identification number is a unique 17-digit code used to identify and track each vehicle. |
| Why Check It? | Checking a car’s VIN before buying it is important to verify its history and avoid potential issues such as concealed damage, title fraud, or theft. |
What Is A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)?
A car’s VIN is used to identify it. When checked, this 17-digit code provides essential information about the vehicle, including the following:
- Recalls and manufacturer defects
- Assembly point
- Make, model, and year
- Body style
- Engine type
- Odometer readings
- Serial number
- Security code
- Collision and theft history
- Title
- Previous owners and usage
What Do The Vehicle Identification Numbers Represent?
As mentioned, a vehicle identification number is a combination of 17 characters (numbers and letters), each of which identifies the following:
| 1st Character | Country of origin |
| 2nd & 3rd Characters | Manufacturer identifier |
| 4th – 8th Characters | Vehicle description (ie. model, body type, engine type, appearance, etc.) |
| 9th Character | Security check digit to confirm the VIN’s accuracy and prevent fraud |
| 10th Character | Model year |
| 11th Character | Plant code where the vehicle was produced |
| Last 6 Characters | Unique serial number of the vehicle |
| 1 | 2 3 | 4 5 6 7 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 13 14 15 16 17 |
| Country of origin | Manufacturer Identifiers | Vehicle Descriptor | Check Digit | Model Year | Plant Code | Car Serial Numbers |
Where Can You Find The Vehicle Identification Number?
A VIN will usually be stamped, written, etched, or engraved on:
- A tag/label on the interior of the driver’s side door jamb.
- A metal plate where the driver’s side dashboard meets the windshield.
- The car’s registration, auto insurance, and service documents.
While you may see the VIN in one or more of these areas, vehicles that have been manufactured after 1987 and are considered at high risk of theft may also feature the VIN on other essential parts, such as the engine, transmission, fenders, or other doors.
Why Is Your VIN Important?
There are plenty of different reasons to check the accuracy of a VIN before you buy a car:
Find Out The Car’s History
Confirming the VIN is particularly important when buying a used vehicle, as some sources won’t offer a full history report with it. While this shouldn’t be a problem with a new car from a reputable dealership, it may not be the same with a private seller.
You can use the VIN to pull up a car’s history report on your own through sources like CARFAX.
Identify Accidents, Safety Risks, And Recalls
On the history report, you can also see any rebuilds, damages, repairs, or recalls that make the car unsafe to drive, including outstanding safety recalls issued by the manufacturer. If you have the VIN, you can find these details on websites like AutoCheck and CARFAX.
Apply For Insurance
Having the VIN is necessary when buying auto insurance, because it helps the provider identify your vehicle. The insurer will then use the VIN to determine the type and amount of coverage you’ll qualify for. The insurance company will also request the VIN to ensure your policy information and identity match when you file a claim.
Discover Liens or Debts
When buying a used car, further problems can occur if the seller doesn’t tell you about a loan or lease that’s secured against it. Sadly, the car could still be collateralized, and if the lender or dealership retains partial ownership, you may have to cover the remaining payments or face repossession.
Learn more: How To Check If My Car Has A Lien?
Locate Parts For Repairs Or Replacements
If your car needs a new part, you, a mechanic or an auto body shop can find it by sending the VIN to the right retailer. Since the VIN identifies the make, model, engine and drivetrain, this lessens the risk of ending up with a part that’s incompatible with your car.
Register The Vehicle With Confidence
In Canada, you need a VIN to register or transfer ownership of a car and to renew your license plate permit. Having an accurate VIN can help identify the vehicle and ensure a more streamlined experience when you visit your provincial licensing and registration bureau.
Find Out If A Car Is Stolen
Law authorities can use your VIN to search local or national databases and confirm if it or its parts are stolen. To be extra careful, you can also check all the car’s VIN plates for signs of tampering and alteration, such as worn out or faded numbers.
Access Government Services
Your provincial or territorial government may offer vehicle identification services, such as the replacement of lost or damaged VIN tags.
Protect Your Car’s Identity
Although every vehicle identification number is different, a good forger can duplicate a stolen car’s identity to sell it or its parts off easier. This is another reason to buy a car that has more than one matching VIN plate, so you won’t end up with a stolen vehicle or a total lemon.
How To Use A VIN To Check Your Car For Issues
There are a few ways to check a vehicle’s VIN, including the following:
- Physical Inspection. Make sure the VIN on the vehicle matches the VIN found on the title, registration, and insurance policy. If any inconsistencies are found, this may indicate tampering with the VIN or potential fraud.
- VIN Lookup Services. Services like CARFAX and AutoCheck provide detailed vehicle history reports for a fee.
- Provincial Transportation Office. You can visit your provincial transportation office to have a VIN checked out in detail.
Learn more: Where Can You Get A Free VIN Check In Canada?
What’s The Difference Between A VIN Check And A Vehicle History Report?
A VIN check and vehicle history report both provide information about a vehicle’s past, but there are differences in the specific information provided.
- VIN Check: This detailed report verifies a vehicle’s history using its unique VIN, revealing important information such as the vehicle’s make, model, year, accidents, and damage.
- Vehicle History Report: This is a more in-depth document that provides more information about a vehicle’s history compared to a VIN check. With a vehicle history report, you’ll get additional information including previous owners, accident history, title information, and maintenance records.
What’s The Difference Between A VIN And An Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Number?
As noted earlier, a VIN is a unique code that’s used to identify and track individual vehicles. It provides details about the vehicle’s history and specs.
On the other hand, an OEM number is assigned by the manufacturer to specific components or parts of a vehicle. Mechanics use the OEM to make sure they use the right parts for replacements and repairs so they’re compatible with the specific car make and model.
In other words, VINs are used to identify vehicles, while OEM numbers are used to identify specific parts for vehicles, like tires or bumpers.
VIN-Related Scams To Be Aware Of
Unfortunately, scammers are using VINs for fraudulent purposes. To protect yourself, make sure to get familiar with some of the more common VIN-related scams, such as the following:
Odometer Fraud
Odometer fraud involves tampering with or ‘rolling back’ a vehicle’s odometer to display a lower mileage than the true distance the car has travelled. Scammers do this to artificially increase the vehicle’s market value or conceal excessive use or wear and tear. This illegal practice can leave you with a car that may be valued lower than what you pay for it.
VIN Cloning
Fraudsters use the VIN of a legally registered car and put it on a stolen vehicle to make it seem legitimate. Then, they try to sell the vehicle to an unsuspecting car buyer.
Title Washing
Title washing involves altering or removing information from a vehicle’s title to hide its status or history. This practice may include erasing records of damage from things like fires, floods, accidents, vandalism, or theft. Title washing is used by criminals to deceive buyers about the actual condition of a vehicle.
Fake VIN Listings
Criminals sometimes use valid VINs to list vehicles online that don’t actually exist. This tricks car buyers into making a purchase, which involves the transfer of funds without providing the vehicle in exchange. This is why it’s always important to cross-check the VIN with a trusted source and physically inspect the vehicle before providing payment.
Final Thoughts
Buying a car, even a used one, is a significant expense. Given this, it makes sense to do all the research you can to ensure you don’t inherit unnecessary issues. Checking that the vehicle has a valid and unique VIN is one of the first steps to protect your investment.
