All You Need To Know About VIN

Whether you are a new car owner or a seasoned auto veteran, you have encountered VIN. VIN is quite like the key to your car and unlocks all vital information. This unique code features prominently on all important documents including registration. Since it is such an important mainstay of your auto history, we have created a little refresher on everything you need to know about the VIN.

Firstly What Is VIN?

The VIN or vehicle identification number was introduced early on. In the 1980s, the ISO provided a modern take in the form of a unique 17-character identity code for vehicles. Since then it has proven to be an effective first line of inquiry in cases of auto theft and crime. The VIN is now used in everything from registration, and insurance, to warranties, and even servicing. Therefore, it has become a vital piece of information that can decode your car’s entire history.

Composed of distinctive characters as a result of some rather complex mathematics mind you, it also provides information about the manufacturing history of the car. Some rudimentary knowledge about this will prove useful when you are on the lookout for a second-hand car. The first three units of the VIN are representative of the country it was made in, the manufacturer, and the model respectively. For example, Japan is represented by J while Australia is represented by 6, and so on.

Where Can I Find the VIN?

If you are buying a new car, the VIN will most likely be provided to you by the dealership on all documents. The seller will likely provide the VIN if you are purchasing a car secondhand too. However, when in a fix it is necessary to know where to find the VIN. As this is crucial to check the car’s history, report accidents, track recalls, and more. Since there is no singular place that all manufacturers uniformly use to place the VIN, you could be confused.

Here are the few common locations in your car where you can find the VIN

1. The corner of the dashboard on the driver’s side for Australia viewed via the windscreen
2. In the boot below where the spare tyre would often be located
3. On the door post where the door locks on the driver’s side
4. In the engine bay on the firewall or above the radiator or just below the bonnet
5. At the front end of the car’s external frame behind the tyre on the driver’s side

You can also alternatively confirm with the dealership or seller where the VIN is located.

What Can VIN Be Used For?

As a critical combo of words and numbers that is unique to your car, the VIN is primarily used to legitimise most auto-related activities. Chiefly it finds use in buying and selling but is also necessary for several other things. It is vital information to keep your car on the road, prevent theft, and even when you ultimately want to say goodbye to your car.

Here are a few scenarios where you need to know the car’s VIN

Tracking Recalls

Recalls are not uncommon in the auto world but as a car owner, you need to track the recalls and if your car, in particular, is being recalled for a critical reason. The VIN will be really helpful here especially if only certain cars from the model are facing the problem.

Car History

While buying a car on the used car market, you need to know its entire history. We trust most car sellers to be honest with the details but for your peace of mind, you can use the VIN to see if the car has been in an accident, has been stolen, or involved in a crime.

Previous Owners

Buying conditions vary from person to person but a comprehensive background check should be a mandatory prerequisite. Amongst other things, the VIN can also help you see how many owners it had and if the car has been sold too many times in a short time indicating some issue.

Legal Specifications

The VIN provides you with complete information about the make, model, mileage, and other specifications. What it also provides is information about any legal prohibitions on the car which could be related to anything. This could prevent you from taking the car out on the road.

Purchasing New Parts

Buying and selling is not the only place where the VIN is applicable. If you are on the lookout for some new parts for your old car, you will have to provide the VIN so the seller can find and match the parts to your car. Do this accurately to avoid any undue errors. Here some nice information about selling car for parts.

How Do I Conduct a VIN Check?

You can always check the car’s registration on pretty much every state’s government-mandated website. ServiceNSW will provide you with basic registration expiry details, concession, restriction, and insurance information. However, this might not be sufficient for you before you purchase a car. In that case, you can do a quick check on the National Insurance Crime Bureau website. Be warned, however, that this too provides a rather simplistic report detailing if the car has been stolen, salvaged, or declared a write-off.

If you want a more comprehensive report to sign off on the car, we would advise you to choose any one of the many VIN check vendors available in the state. They will not only provide complete information about the make and model but also third-party data. This will include information about the finance, insurance, missing equipment, any damages, and any run-ins with the law, etc., Depending on how comprehensive the report is the charges will vary.

For any additional queries you have about your car’s VIN and how to salvage a car, connect with us at Scrap Car Removal at 0432 022 021 and we will be happy to help you out.