What is a VIN number?

Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a distinctive alphanumeric code consisting of 17 characters that serves as a unique identifier for your vehicle. It provides essential information about your car;s manufacturer, model, year of production, and other pertinent details. Here’s how a VIN number is structured : 

1XXXX11XXXX111111

1. The first character is always a number, indicating the country where the car was manufactured, such as the UK.
2. The second and thid characters are letters, representing the car manufacturer, for example, BMW.
3. Characters 4 through 8 comprise a combination of letters and numbers, specifying details like the brand, engine size, and engine/transmission/fuel type.
4. The ninth character, a letter, serves as a security code confirming the VIN’s approval by the car manufacturer.
5. The tenth character, also a letter, denotes the year of the car model.
6. The eleventh character, a letter, indicates the manufacturing plant where the vehicle was assembled.
7. The last 6 characters consist of numbers, forming the car’s unique serial number.

Where do I find the VIN?

Your VIN can typically be found in three locations within your vehicle : 

1. On your car’s dashboard, situated near the windshield on the driver’s side.
2. Stamped on your car’s chassis, which is why the VIN is sometimes referred to as the “chassis number.”
3. In your car’s V5C logbook, as well as on your insurance paperwork.

VIN’s importance

Your car’s VIN serves as a comprehensive record of its journey, including its production origin and unique specifications. Despite changes in ownership, registration, or exportation, the VIN remains constant throughout the vehicle’s lifespan.

Because the VIN is a permanent identifier, it is used to store official car records digitally. These records can be accessed through various public and professional sources. Prospective buyers often conduct background checks based on the VIN when considering purchasing a vehicle.

With the VIN, potential buyers can review the vehicle’s service history, CO2 rating, financing details, previous owners, registration changes (such as personalised number plates), and any involvement in accidents or criminal activity. However, insurance claims based on the VIN are not accessible to the public unless they resulted in a write-off.