Is Decoding a VIN Necessary?: If you’re on a budget or don’t want to spend less on a new car, buying a used car may make more sense. It’s important to research a vehicle’s history before making a purchase, and one way to do this is to get a vehicle history report.
VIN number lookup services on VIN Number Lookup provide quick access to these reports to help evaluate a car’s background information. However, the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) can confuse you if you are unfamiliar with its various characters.
Understanding VINs: A Guide to Deciphering Your Vehicle’s VIN
Every vehicle that starts with a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) has a different story. The VIN identifies the vehicle and its characteristics. Standardized in 1981 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the VIN consists of letters and numbers (0-9) (except I, O, and Q).
The VIN is divided into four sections, each with a specific meaning: World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI), Vehicle Class (XP), Vehicle Model Year (YZZ), and Vehicle Identification Number (ZZZ).
The first three characters, known as the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI), identify the manufacturer of the vehicle. For US vehicles, the WMI starts with “1” while for cars made in other countries, it starts with “2”.
The fourth and fifth digits, Vehicle Class (XP), are the vehicle type with “P” for a car and “T” for a truck.
The sixth through eighth characters, the vehicle model year (YZZ), indicate the year the vehicle was manufactured.
The last eight characters, the Vehicle Identification Number (ZZZ), is a unique number assigned to each vehicle.
What to do if your vehicle’s VIN number is incorrect?
If you buy a new car from a dealer, you can approach the sales team who will do the necessary paperwork. However, if you have a title that does not match the VIN, things get trickier. To find out the history of your car, you can use VINnumberLookup’s “License Plate Lookup” to learn more about the car.
Is the 17-digit VIN standard universal?
The 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) has been the global standard for more than 40 years. NHTSA introduced the 17-alphanumeric VIN in 1981; Similarly, other countries have adopted the ISO 3779 and 4030 standards, which are similar to the US.
However, cars manufactured before 1981 had shorter VINs ranging from 4 to 12 characters. In some cases, older vehicles may only have matching parts and a VIN to prove their origin.
Is VIN decoding possible for each vehicle?
VIN decoding works for most vehicles including cars, trucks, vans, and motorcycles. However, there are exceptions.
If you want to decode your Audi’s VIN, use the VIN Decoder by Make feature on VINNumberLookup and get free access to a detailed vehicle history report. VIN decoding is also possible for other brands like Jeep, Toyota, BMW, Hyundai, Ford, Honda, Acura, Mercedes, Dodge, etc.
Can a vehicle have two chassis numbers?
In some situations, a car may actually have two VIN numbers. For example, if a vehicle has been in an accident and then repaired, it will have two VINs: one for the original car and one for the refurbished vehicle.
In addition, a car can be converted to another VIN for a new purpose, e.g. To convert a van into an RV or a truck into a tow truck b. The vehicle will have the original VIN and the new one for its modified form.
Conclusion
In short, understanding the meaning of VIN is essential when buying a used car. VIN provides valuable insights that can guarantee your safety, secure your finances and ultimately guide you to an informed purchase decision. Taking the time to decipher the VIN is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure you’re buying a reliable and safe car.
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