Are you looking to locate your vehicle identification number (VIN)? If the answer is yes, then don’t hit the panic button just yet!
With a few simple steps, you can quickly track down this all-important piece of information.
Whether you’re shopping for auto insurance or registering a newly purchased car with the DMV, knowing where to find your VIN will make life much easier. So let’s get down to it — here are some tips and tricks that’ll help you find that pesky VIN in no time!
WHERE TO LOCATE YOUR VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a significant number that you’ll need in order to register your vehicle, get information about it, or even sell it. It’s a unique identifier that helps identify your car’s make, model, year of manufacture, and other pertinent information.
The VIN is also used to track recalls and other vehicle-related issues. Read on and you’ll learn where to find your VIN and what to do if you can’t find it.
WHERE TO LOOK FOR THE VIN
When performing a VIN search, there are a few different places in and on your vehicle that you can look, such as:
- Windshield
- Engine block
- Under the hood
- Spare tire
- Owner’s manual
- Windshield
Windshield
The most common place to look up a VIN is on the dashboard near the windshield on the driver’s side of the car. In order to see the number, you’ll most likely need to sit in the driver’s seat and look through the windshield down at the very bottom corner.
Driver Door
While the typical place to find your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is on your dashboard, it’s also possible to locate it on the inside of the driver’s side door frame.
Remember to look for 17 characters, including numerals and capital letters. It provides a unique identifier for each vehicle, so you should be able to recognize your own quickly when you look for it in this area. The sticker in the door jamb also includes additional information such as paint color, make, model, and year of the car in its original condition.
Under the Hood of the Car
With all the modern technology in cars today, knowing how to find VIN can be challenging. Fortunately, one of the most reliable places you can find your car’s VIN is under the hood.
Specifically, the sticker with this number may be placed on the front of the engine block, on top of the radiator, or even on the driver’s side firewall. If you’re ever in doubt about where to find VIN on the car, pop up your hood and take a glance. Most likely, it’ll save you time and hassle!
Some cars have a metal plate affixed with rivets that contains a good deal of information, including your VIN.
Spare Tire
On some cars, the VIN may be located underneath the spare tire where you wouldn’t normally think to check. Alternatively, certain vehicles may feature an information sticker on certain parts of the suspension system, including the VIN.
Owner’s Manual and Documents
The most obvious place to find a VIN is in your owner’s manual. There are also documents that may comprise the VIN, such as registration, DMV inspection and title documents, insurance cards, and even some repair invoices. By searching these documents, you should be able to find the VIN with relative ease.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU CAN’T FIND YOUR VIN
If you cannot locate your VIN anywhere on or around your vehicle, don’t despair! There are other ways to get it. The first step is to check all available documentation associated with your car, such as purchase documents, registration papers, insurance policy paperwork, etc., in case any of these documents contain it. If not, contact your original dealership for help; they can access your car’s records and provide you with its VIN from there.
Finally, you can get your car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) without going to a professional using an On-Board Diagnostics tool or OBD2 scanner. Commonly used by mechanics, this device is connected directly to the car and reads various pieces of information about the vehicle, including its VIN. Since it comes in handy for various other duties related to diagnosing malfunctions in cars, an OBD2 scanner is an excellent gadget for any car owner. Not only will you be able to find out your car’s VIN with ease, but you’ll also have the unique ability to troubleshoot any problems with your vehicle from the comfort of your own garage.
As you’ve learned, the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is an essential piece of information about your car that can help you track down vital data about its make, model, year of manufacture, and more — so it’s important that you know how and where to locate it when needed!
Fortunately, there are several places where you can look for it, including inside the driver’s side door jamb and under the spare tire in the trunk, among others. If all else fails, there are still options, such as contacting a local dealership or mechanic who may help track down this valuable identifier for you so that you can get back on track quickly!
Your VIN isn’t the only important thing you need for your vehicle. If you need help finding the best car insurance coverage for the best price, start by speaking to a SimplyIOA agent at 833.872.4467 or get an auto insurance quote online now.
