For first-time car buyers, checking a used car’s vehicle identification number (VIN) may seem like a waste of time. However, knowing how to find one and looking for discrepancies could mean the difference between finding a steal or actually buying a stolen car.
Our editorial team checked the RCMP’s pre-owned vehicle checks, the Canadian Police Information Centre stolen-vehicle search, Transport Canada’s recall tools, and the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s VIN decoder.
What Is a VIN and Where Is It on a Car?
A vehicle identification number (VIN) is like a car’s fingerprint. It’s unique to each car and is used by manufacturers and authorities to track and identify vehicles. Since 1981, all vehicles in North America have been assigned a 17-character VIN.
A car’s VIN can be found on the dashboard. To find the VIN, stand in front of the driver’s side and look at the dashboard through the windshield. You can also find your car’s VIN on the door jamb and inside the driver’s side door.
Take note that VINs should be identical in every location on your car and match the VIN on the car’s documents.
How to Check a VIN
The world manufacturer identifier (WMI) makes up the first three digits of your VIN. The first digit is a letter or number corresponding to the country or region associated with the manufacturer. The second digit refers to the car’s manufacturer, with each one having a specific code. The third digit refers to the specific division of the manufacturer that built the vehicle.
For the first digit, the code is as follows:
- A-H: Africa
- J-R: Asia
- S-Z: Europe
- 1-5: North America
- 6-7: Australia and New Zealand
- 8-9: South America
Digits four through eight describe vehicle features using codes set by the manufacturer. Use the manufacturer’s VIN decoder to confirm what they mean for that vehicle.
The ninth digit of your VIN is often called the “check digit” or security code. It’s used to validate whether the VIN is authentic.
Digit 10 on your VIN identifies the model year. For example, 2014 model-year vehicles use the code E.
The last six digits of your VIN make up your car’s serial or production-line number. This number is assigned by the manufacturer.
VIN Numbers at a Glance
Most modern North American road vehicles have a 17-character VIN. The characters I, O, and Q are not used to avoid confusion with numbers. Positions 4 through 8 are assigned by the manufacturer. Character 10 is a repeating model-year code, so you need additional information about the manufacturer and the vehicle’s approximate age to determine the correct cycle.
How to Read a 17-Character VIN
| Position | Standard role | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3 | World manufacturer identifier | Identifies the manufacturer and country or region of origin. |
| 4 to 8 | Vehicle description section | Details such as model, body style, restraint system, engine type, and other features are manufacturer-defined. Use that manufacturer’s VIN decoder. |
| 9 | Check digit | This character is calculated to test VIN validity. A valid VIN does not indicate ownership or a clean history. |
| 10 | Model year code | Indicates the model year. It may not reflect the year the vehicle was built, and model years repeat. |
| 11 | Plant code | Identifies the assembly plant using the manufacturer’s coding scheme. |
| 12 to 17 | Sequential identifier | Identifies a specific vehicle within a manufacturer’s system. |
How to Check a VIN Before Buying a Used Vehicle
| Check | Question it answers | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Physical match | Do the VINs on the dashboard, label, permit, and seller-provided documents match? | Matching VINs alone do not rule out cloning. |
| NHTSA VIN decoder | Can the manufacturer-reported specifications be deciphered from the VIN? Which assembly plant did the car come from? | It cannot determine ownership or loss history. |
| CPIC search | Have police in Canada reported this VIN as stolen? | No result does not prove the vehicle is legitimate. |
| Manufacturer or Transport Canada recall search | Are safety recalls associated with the vehicle? | Confirm recall completion with the manufacturer or dealer. |
| Provincial record and lien check | Does the applicable provincial record show registration or lien information? | Coverage and currency vary by province. Buyers in Ontario should check the UVIP. |
| Commercial history report | What registrations, incidents, service records, and other information are reported in the vehicle’s history? | Reports are limited by the information provided. They do not replace a physical inspection. |
| Independent inspection | Does a qualified mechanic identify concerns about the vehicle’s condition or repairs? | An inspection cannot predict future reliability or guarantee a complete title history. |
Before paying any non-refundable deposit, complete all checks. Keep the seller’s ad, photos of the VIN, a copy of the search results, the bill of sale, and your vehicle inspection report.
Read More: Use the Ontario Used Vehicle Information Package Guide
How to Identify an Altered VIN
Read More: Learn What Happens After a Stolen Car Is Recovered
Is It Safe to Give Out Your VIN?
Generally, it’s safe to give your car’s VIN out. If you’re selling your vehicle privately or through a dealer, interested parties may request your car’s VIN. They may be looking to run the VIN through Carfax or another vehicle-history report to check the vehicle details and ensure you’re not selling a stolen vehicle.
Read More: Read About the Data Your Car May Be Sharing