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Vehicle Identification Number

What is a VIN? | Ensure Your VIN is Correct

What Is The VIN Number?

In the early 1980's the National highway Traffic Safety Administration (U.S. Dept. of Transport) required that all road vehicles must contain a 17 character VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). This established the fixed VIN system for major vehicle manufacturers as it is known today. Thus, establishing a unique "DNA" style number for each unique vehicle which rolled off the assembly line. Each character or digit has a particular purpose as follows:

1	G	1	J	F	2	7	W	8	G	J	1	7	8	2	2	7
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17

Country Manufactured

Manufacturer

Vehicle Type

Vehicle Features

Accuracy Check Digit

Model Year

Production Plant

Sequential Number

Where Do I Find It?

The 17 digit car VIN is on all cars, usually found in the dashboard as a metal strip with numbers that you can't get at. You should also be able to find the VIN inside the driver side door on a factory sticker, sometimes the passenger door, your trunk may have a sticker, the hood usually has one, and sometimes the engine and other major parts have one, or it's engraved. The car makers usually place VIN stickers on the major accident parts like doors, engines, and quarter panels. Check all the doors and panels for the VIN, making sure that ALL of them match.