All vehicles have stamped a VIN when they are manufactured and used to uniquely identify all vehicles. Cars and light commercial vehicles have a unique 17- character VIN that provides access to valuable information about that vehicle’s history. The VIN is essential when the vehicle is recorded as accidents, insurance records and when the car needs service or maintenance by a body shop, dealership or mechanic.
The most search on how to find VIN numbers online? But this chassis number is physically found on the dashboard, the driver’s side door and the registration certificate. The VIN will be marked into the vehicle chassis and found in the engine bay, below the plastic trim around the driver or opening at a passenger door.
In this blog, know-how VIN helps to check vehicle details for those interested in buying a second-hand car and VIN importance.
How to read the Vehicle Identification Number?
What if VIN doesn’t match with the V5C?
Where is VIN used?
Where to find the used car details- VIN or reg finder?
Decoding the vehicle identification number:
VIN: 5YJSA1DG9DFP14705
5- Country of manufacture
Y- Vehicle manufacturer
J- Vehicle type
SA1DG- Vehicle’s brand, body style, engine size and type, model, series.
9- Security check digit
D- Model year
F-assembly plant
P14705- Vehicle’s production number
Is the car VIN is different from the V5C?
When the vehicle VIN is different from the logbook number, it is better to call off the deal. It is a sign that something is not correct. Some dodgy seller tries to keep vehicles by replacing the VIN number from one car to another. But, it is strictly against the law to hide such cars as they can be stolen cars or another high issue vehicle. It is also known as VIN number cloning.
There are chances where a burglar tries to hide the vehicle’s identity of the stolen one and changes to another legally registered number. Even they create the forged documents to sell and hide the identity easily. The other possibility of cloning when the vehicle had cuts and shuts might have a VIN from two different cars. So, if you suspect anything, either check the car status carefully or walk away from it.
Where is VIN essential to use?
As already said, there are high risks of having different VIN. So it is better to cross-check with the vehicle history reports online. You can use the vehicle checking service platform, where it tells you to check the make and model of the car with registration number and its primary details to sort out the vehicle you ought to buy is reliable. You can identify if the vehicle’s VIN is genuine by knowing:
1. Mileage discrepancy: The VIN is recorded during each service where you can cross-check the VIN is real, and the mileage isn’t rollback. Cloning is high risk through their vehicle records, so cross-check the VIN in service records and get a hint if the vehicle has clocked.
2. Accidents: It is possible that the car met with an accident where you have to report to the insurer about the complete vehicle details and VIN is also must. Though, there are few platforms ready to answer the question when you feed the VIN.
3. Vehicle theft: It was a bad investment when you failed to notice the car is stolen. The VIN helps buyers to know if the vehicle is previously reported as stolen. When the car is theft, then you have to file the complaint with the help of VIN, registration and its basic info. So, it is wise to use a car reg finder before you decide to buy a used car.
VIN or car registration number to acquire the used car details:
The truth is both the numbers are coming in handy as nowadays, there are huge platforms that use the VIN as the critical factor to disclose the information. But majorly, everyone prefers to use the car registration number as it tells the accurate details, and there will not be privacy issues, unlike VIN. It is an identification number, and every vehicle has its own VIN, which is not the same as another. So, revealing the history of the car is possible through the registration number.
It is not possible to know the vehicle’s potential issues like the financed car or write off cars through the VIN. But through a car history check, you can easily acquire these details with the reg number online like Car Analytics. You can get VIN from the reg number where the reports show you the last five digits of VIN.
At the same time, it is pretty impossible to tell the reg number through VIN. So, prefer reg number where it eases your work by knowing the used car finance check and complete car history in single pay. Even if you are looking for a used bike, ensure you take a free motorbike check online. Without checks, the investment would turn into a nightmare.