What is
The National Motor Vehicle Database?
Before buying any pre-owned vehicle, firstly, check its history report. Even if the price is right and the deal looks good, you may become a victim of forgery. In other words, the seller may hide the vehicle’s salvage, rebuilt, or flood damage information from you.
What is a VIN?
Since 1981 all vehicles in the United States must have a Vehicle Identification Number. It is a unique identifying code for a vehicle. In other words, it is the fingerprint of each car, and there are no two vehicles in operation having the same VIN.
The code is assigned to an automobile by the manufacturer. Each country may have its format for the VIN. However, they all have to lay under the globally acceptable standard set by the International Organization of Standardization (ISO). Hence, all manufacturers have to mark their products in the following special format:
The code is assigned to an automobile by the manufacturer. Each country may have its format for the VIN. However, they all have to lay under the globally acceptable standard set by the International Organization of Standardization (ISO). Hence, all manufacturers have to mark their products in the following special format:
- It should be composed of 17 characters (numbers and capital letters).
- To avoid confusion with the numerals 1 and 0, it can’t contain spaces or the letters O (o), I (i), and Q (q).
- VIN should be printed in a single line.
How to Read a Car’s VIN Code?
Every character in the VIN transfers particular information about the vehicle. As to the ISO standard, the whole number consists of four sections:
- The first three characters (1-3) are known as World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMI). The competent authority in the country gives this number to a manufacturer. It shows the country of origin, manufacturer, and a certain division within a plant.
- The Vehicle Descriptor section encompasses the next five digits (4-8). They refer to the brand, engine size, body style, and safety features of the vehicle.
- The character nine is known as a check digit. With the help of a mathematical formula, it matches up with the rest of the digits in the VIN.
- The identification section or the last 8 characters indicate the model year and manufacturing plant. The last 6 numbers indicate the serial number of the vehicle.
How to Lookup a VIN Number?
There are various situations when you need to check a VIN. Firstly, if you want to buy a pre-owned car, perform a VIN lookup, get a vehicle history report and find details of previous owners, accidents, and repairs.
Secondly, you may reveal if the manufacturer had ever issued a vehicle recall or not. Finally, it helps law enforcement bodies identify stolen cars.
There are more accessible methods to decode a VIN than decoding the characters yourself. So, learn more about a used car and verify its history with the help of an online VIN decoder. A simple online VIN lookup tool can do that for you in a few seconds.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the federal agency responsible for improving motor vehicle safety on the roads of the US, offers an online VIN lookup tool. With its help, you will get information on the automobile’s plant arrangement and will receive a full report of the car.
Secondly, you may reveal if the manufacturer had ever issued a vehicle recall or not. Finally, it helps law enforcement bodies identify stolen cars.
There are more accessible methods to decode a VIN than decoding the characters yourself. So, learn more about a used car and verify its history with the help of an online VIN decoder. A simple online VIN lookup tool can do that for you in a few seconds.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the federal agency responsible for improving motor vehicle safety on the roads of the US, offers an online VIN lookup tool. With its help, you will get information on the automobile’s plant arrangement and will receive a full report of the car.
VIN Lookup at NMVD Website
The VIN check with the help of the NMVD website is a two-step process. First, you should enter the 17-digit code into NMVD’s VIN decoder and click the button “decode VIN”.
By entering a VIN into the special gap, you’ll find basic data (make, model, and technical specifications). Then, you will also get a full vehicle history report, which will provide much more data on mileage, damages, etc. Also, use our VIN decoder as a fast and accurate source of information about a vehicle.
By entering a VIN into the special gap, you’ll find basic data (make, model, and technical specifications). Then, you will also get a full vehicle history report, which will provide much more data on mileage, damages, etc. Also, use our VIN decoder as a fast and accurate source of information about a vehicle.
Where to Locate Your VIN?
Different manufacturers assign the VIN on different parts of the automobile. However, there are the following common locations where you may find the code:
- Driver’s side door pillar; the code is usually displayed on a sticker and a mounting plate. The information also indicates the color/trim code, transmission number, model, and date of the production.
- Dash near the base of the driver’s side windscreen; you will see it even without unlocking the car.
- With the wheels; the rear wheel or under the extra tire you may locate the code.
- Front of the engine block; open the hood and find the number written on the engine block.
If you have difficulty finding the 17-digit number, look through registration and insurance papers. Check your owner’s manual as well. It will not have the code recorded; however, it will certainly tell you where to locate it.
Use the online VIN check tool to confirm the code by comparing the received information to what you already know about the car.
Use the online VIN check tool to confirm the code by comparing the received information to what you already know about the car.
