Monday, September 20, 2010

4thGear Tips: Understanding VINs

When buying a used car, you have to be very careful about a car's past. Salvage, theft, water, fire titles/reports are not good.

What is a VIN number?

The car's vehicle identification number (VIN) is the identifying code for a SPECIFIC automobile. It is just like the car's fingerprint. A VIN is composed of 17 digits and characters that act as a unique identifier for the vehicle. A VIN displays the car's unique features, specifications and manufacturer. The VIN can be used to track recalls, registrations, warranty claims, thefts and insurance coverage. If the VIN is not 17 characters long, the VIN is most likely from a pre-1981 vehicle.

Where can the VIN number be found?

On each car, there is a unique serial number located on the front windshield (driver side) and it can also be found on the door frame of the driver side. Copy down the serial number, double check if you have it right.



Where can I get a VIN Check or Report?

There are several websites that provide this service. But it's not free; the ones we recommend is CARFAX and AutoCheck. Both of these websites offer a free basic preliminary check, they tell you the number of "reports" but they do not specifically tell what they are. You will need to purchase the report to see everything in detail.

www.carfax.com

www.autocheck.com

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