How to read a VIN number and what do its parts hide?
VIN number, from English Vehicle Identification Number , is a unique code assigned to each motor vehicle . It has 17 characters that allow for the identification of a specific vehicle. It is essential when buying a used car, checking the history of the vehicle or in insurance matters.
Knowing the VIN number and knowing how to read it can save a lot of problems and misunderstandings . This information is very valuable, containing data on the manufacturer, model or year of production of the vehicle. So it’s worth learning how to read this number correctly and what each of its sections mean.
VIN location on a vehicle
Before we can analyze the VIN, we need to first locate it. In most vehicles, it is located on a data plate located in various places on the car . It can usually be found on the windshield, in the lower left corner, near the dashboard. Other common locations include the driver’s door pillar or the engine compartment .
In newer cars, the VIN can often also be found in vehicle documents, such as the registration certificate . In older cars, it can be written on a plate located in the trunk or on the chassis. It is recommended that you read the vehicle’s owner’s manual, which describes exactly where the VIN is located in a given model.
VIN structure – three main sections
The VIN is divided into three key sections: WMI (World Manufacturer Identifier), VDS (Vehicle Descriptor Section), and VIS (Vehicle Identifier Section). Each of these sections has a different function and provides different information about the vehicle.
WMI is the first three characters of the VIN and identifies the vehicle manufacturer . The first character is the country code where the vehicle was manufactured, e.g. “1” for the USA, “J” for Japan . The second and third characters are the unique manufacturer code, e.g. “VW” for Volkswagen .
Middle part of the VIN – VDS
The next six characters are the VDS, which is a section describing the technical details of the vehicle . It contains information such as body type, model, engine type, security system and other characteristic features . The arrangement of these characters may vary depending on the manufacturer, but it always provides key technical information.
Knowing the structure of the VDS is useful, for example, when buying spare parts or accessories for a car . It allows you to make sure that a given part will be compatible with your vehicle . It is worth knowing that this section and is especially helpful in identifying low-production vehicles, where some parameters may differ significantly .
The final section of the VIN – VIS
The last eight characters of the VIN are the VIS, which is a section that individually identifies the vehicle. The first four characters of this section usually refer to the year of manufacture and the manufacturing plant, while the last four are the vehicle’s serial number . This section allows you to determine the exact date the vehicle rolled off the production line.
The serial number is unique to each vehicle, which makes the VIN unique The information in the VIS can also be used by manufacturers to track and resolve manufacturing defects in specific production runs This is another example of how important it is to interpret the VIN correctly
Summary
Understanding the VIN and its sections is extremely important for every vehicle owner The VIN provides a wealth of valuable information about the vehicle, which can be useful both when buying a used car and in everyday use. It is worth remembering that reading the VIN can prevent problems related to counterfeiting or the accident history of the vehicle.
Knowing the location of the VIN in the vehicle and the ability to read its individual sections are skills that every driver should have . Thanks to this, we will have full control over our car’s data and the ability to quickly and efficiently solve any problems .
