The VIN number contains information from the manufacturer, such as:
- Year of manufacture
- Model year
- Year of first registration
- Country and plant
- Body type
- Horsepower
- Engine
- Weight
- Safety systems
- Information sometimes differs depending on the manufacturer.
Most often, people are interested in the frame number (VIN number) when buying a used car. The reason is that dealers sometimes “modify” the age of the car and this is a way to check if such manipulations have been made.
Where to find the VIN number?
If you already own a car and your car is registered, the chassis number can be checked most easily in the car’s registration documents – it is in both the large and small registration documents.
However, if you want to check the code before you buy the car (or just out of curiosity), you should know that the frame number (VIN number) is not located in the same place on different cars. The number is stamped into the metal of the chassis, and the location varies not only between car brands, but also between different models of the same brand.
The trick is that the number is hidden.
On Audi and VW, it can be under the hood under the glass cover.
On Peugeot, Reno, BMW and Skoda, it is often on the boot of the left shock absorber on older models. If not, look for it on the driver’s door.
On many brands and models, for example on Mercedes, it is hidden under the seat next to the driver. Or it is stuck on the sill next to the same seat (in Opel and Fiat).
These are the most common places to hide the VIN number. However, it can be stuck in the trunk, between the front seats, on the lower part of the chassis (under the car), behind the rear seats.
The easiest way to find a VIN number is to contact a specialist or check on the Internet.
How do I decode the VIN number?
This is not an easy task, considering that it is a question of 17 characters, behind which are hidden various characteristics that the manufacturer has included at his own discretion. In other words, the information hidden behind the VIN may differ. But here is a general overview:
The first group of characters is called the World Manufacturing Identifier WMI. It consists of three characters that indicate the geographical area, the specific country and the manufacturer or type of vehicle.
The second group is called the VDS or vehicle description section. It consists of six characters that describe the characteristics of the car. The sequence is determined by the manufacturer. What information is included – also. The last of the six characters can be a check digit, by which it can be recognized whether the frame number has been re-numbered.
The third group is the VIS – vehicle identification section. These are 4 characters, which are necessarily only numbers. This can contain the model year or production and the manufacturing plant. But there are different practices.
It is quite difficult and almost impossible for a person to decipher what is hidden behind the chassis number of his car on his own. However, for this purpose, you can find a number of decoders on the Internet (some are paid). Often, there is also such an option on the websites of the manufacturers themselves.