Almost anything requires a vehicle identification number (VIN). This includes: getting insurance quotes, determining whether your vehicle has been recalled, registering your vehicle, obtaining parts for repair, and viewing your vehicle's entire history. And when you really do need a VIN, you'll likely stand next to your vehicle, staring at it, trying to figure out where it is located.
Fortunately, VINs are found in numerous consistent locations. Additionally, these locations are also potential free fraud indicators — if all Copies of a VIN are equal, you can rely upon the vehicle being legitimate as per the supporting paperwork. Therefore, let's review the common locations to locate VINs and why any discrepancies are significant.
For those short on time, start with the two easiest-to-locate Spots.
Dashboard (driver's side) — stand next to your vehicle, driver's side windshield view. Locate the lowest corner of the glass/dash combination. You will likely find a metal or plastic plate with 17 digits engraved/stamped. Almost all cars/SUVs manufactured since the late 1970s/early 1980s will have a VIN in this location. While Glare can make reading difficult, tilt your head, cover the glass with your hand, or take a picture using your smartphone and enlarge it to make reading easier.
Door jamb (driver's side) — open the driver's door and examine the door jam area. Typically, you will find a sticker with additional information including the VIN, tire pressures recommended by the manufacturer, manufacturing date, and some other pertinent information regarding paint and trim options. If your dash plate is destroyed or difficult to read, use this as a second option.
While not required by law, depending upon the type/model of vehicle, you may discover additional VINs in the following areas:
As Motorcycles exclude dashboards for locating VINs, look toward the steering head (the point at which the front forks connect to the bicycle frame). A motorcycle VIN is typically cast into the steel at this point due to exposure to elements/weather and dirt from roads that a passenger compartment would shield from. Some also display an additional vinyl sticker on the frame; however, for purposes of registration/recall tracking — only the vin cast into the frame is used.
In addition to attaching VINs to physical components of your automobile (Dashboard, door jam area, etc.), VINs are also included within various types of paperwork associated with purchasing/owning an automobile:
This paperwork contains essentially the same importance as the metal/plastic stickers, bringing us to the purpose of this article.
A vehicle identification number is intended to serve as a unique permanent identification number for each vehicle. As long as each copy of a VIN is identical — you can be assured that the vehicle is exactly as stated in the supporting paperwork. Conversely — if even one copy indicates otherwise — you've created a problem that necessitates resolution prior to making any expenditures.
Fraudulent individuals who modify/cloning VINs experience problems in duplicating all VIN locations. For example — a scammer may replace the Dashboard plate but overlook replacing the corresponding door jam area plate. Similarly — while fixing the physical damage to the vehicle — they may fail to remove/replace previous VIN labels from titles/paperwork. The presence of differing VIN locations among multiple locations is a reliable indicator of potential fraud.
A vehicle that consists of parts from multiple vehicles may feature VINs from multiple sources. A common indication that an automobile has been rebuilt is that the Dashboard and/or frame will indicate differing VINs.
If you register/insure an automobile that features differing VIN numbers among locations identified above — you risk encountering severe issues immediately thereafter (i.e., failed registration attempts; denied insurance claims; difficulties during emission inspections; or flagged for investigation). Resolving these problems after purchase is much more difficult than identifying these inconsistencies prior to purchase.
Keep in mind that not all discrepancies necessarily imply fraudulent activity and there is value in maintaining a rational perspective.
The difference lies in how sellers respond to inquiries about discrepancies. Honest sellers will address concerns/explain differences; dishonest ones will argue/dismiss questions or attempt to rush you into completing a transaction.
Each time you're evaluating a potential purchase — go through this process:
Step away from any transactions that exhibit:
If necessary, contact either a trusted mechanic or your local DMV office to assist in resolving discrepancies. There is nothing wrong with delaying a transaction until you fully understand what you are seeing.