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VIN number in The Vin Scout - what does it mean?
Learn what a VIN number is, where to find it, what it contains
What is a VIN number?
The VIN – Vehicle Identification Number – is a unique code and identifier that allows for the identification of a particular vehicle.
Also known as the chassis number, this is assigned to every motor vehicle at the assembly plant. VINs are essential for vehicle registration, insurance, and tracking the vehicle’s history using a VIN decoder, and they are used for all types of motor vehicles.
The free Vehicle Identification Number contains a range of information encoded by the particular vehicle manufacturer, significantly simplifying identification of vehicle specs by its subsequent users.
The Vin Scout’s VIN decoder tool can be used to identify specific information encoded in the chassis number.
A Brief History of VIN
The use of the VIN numbers began in the United States in the 1950s. Initially, each car manufacturer used its own designations, making the VIN functional but far from truly useful. This situation persisted until 1981.
In 1981, under the supervision of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a unified VIN format was established for all American manufacturers. This format was entered into the Certificate of Title and placed on the vehicle’s identification plate. NHTSA’s VIN decoder provides information about the vehicle’s plant of manufacture, including the build plant and country. The results are accessible after entering the VIN number into the decoder. Interestingly, the check digit is also used in car VIN numbers in China, but not in Europe.
Interestingly, the check digit is also used in the VINs of vehicles manufactured in China but not in Europe. Globally, there are several regulations regarding the chassis number, but for most brands, the standard format can be expected.
The system used in the USA is compatible with the one used in the European Union (according to ISO 3779 standards). The American Vehicle Identification Number is more rigorously defined and includes a check digit to ensure the sequence is correct.
What information does VIN number contain?
Based on the VIN number, a range of coded information can be discovered, including vehicle data such as:
- geographical region,
- country of origin,
- car manufacturer,
- coded vehicle specifications,
- check mark for the verification of the correctness of the VIN number,
- drive type,
- engine type,
- equipment version,
- the factory where the unit was assembled.
At The Vin Scout, we are able to make an accurate identification of the vehicle based on it and check the vehicle’s history. Checking the VIN number involves reading the manufacturer’s code, as well as its serial number and verifying the number. The service then collects all the recorded information to generate a detailed report describing the known history of the vehicle.
VIN in Passenger Cars
right side member
behind the rear-wheel
floor on the passenger’s side or next to the seat
door step on the
passenger’s side
frontend of
frame fire wall
right wheel arch
(suspension arch)
right side member
behind the front wheel
engine chamber
(front reinforcer)
driver’s side door jamb
left side of the interior
dashboard
The vehicle identification number written in the registration documents (vehicle registration book, vehicle card) should be the same as the identification number embossed on the individual elements of the vehicle. Before purchasing a vehicle, it’s good to verify that in order to avoid scam.
VIN in Trucks
VIN in Motorcycles
VIN in Trailers
Your guide - FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Our Vehicle History Reports include vehicle data from more than 26+ European countries, the US and Canada, from more than 50,000 different automotive service providers.
Thousands of consumers rely on The Vin Scout reports every day to help them make the final decision to buy or sell a used car. The Vehicle History Report can include information on whether a car has been involved in an accident, had any service actions, damage, or previous owners. See prices.
You can request a free The Vin Scout Vehicle History Report from one of 300+ trusted and reliable car dealers. Discount codes also appear regularly on our social media. You can look for information about promotional campaigns on the blog and directly at our Customer Service.
Vehicle History Reports are available for all vehicles manufactured after 1981, when the 17-character VIN number was standardized. The Vin Scout service provides data from more than 50,000 institutions in the automotive sector.
Among the most important are car dealers, garages, vehicle inspection stations, financial institutions, government, associations, repositories and records of stolen vehicles, police, dismantling stations, car dealerships.
The Vin Scout service is the most complete source of information from more than 26+ European countries, the US and Canada. The data comes from more than 50,000 different institutions providing services in or for the automotive sector.
Among the most important are:
- car dealers,
- workshops,
- vehicle inspection stations,
- financial institutions,
- state administration,
- associations,
- repositories,
- records of stolen vehicles,
- police,
- disassembly stations,
- car dealerships.
The amount of data included in the report depends on the specific VIN number, and the type and amount of information is always presented before purchasing the full report.
The cost of a full The Vin Scout Vehicle History Report is 24,99 €. The Vin Scout service also has a special package offer aimed at business customers, with a special focus on authorized and unauthorized dealers. See prices.
Checking the VIN number is an integral part of a transparent process of both buying and selling a vehicle. An investment in The Vin Scout's Vehicle History Report pays for itself even several hundred times over, because when you spend a few dozen euros and add the report to your ad, you can earn an additional 5-10% of the initial value of the car.
The total cost of damage to vehicles detected annually by The Vin Scout reaches 889 million euros, and damage has been recorded in nearly 480,000 cases. The most popular models in our market had at least a 32% probability of damage in Vehicle History Reports
The Vin Scout Vehicle History Report can be used by anyone who wants to check the history of a used car. We have already generated over 4,000,000 reports that have helped (both sellers and buyers) to get the full history of any vehicle.
Our reports are also extremely useful for people who already own a vehicle but do not know its full history. Such knowledge makes it easier to operate the vehicle later on and gives you an idea of how it should be treated.
The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) consists of 17 characters and serves as a unique identifier for a specific vehicle. It can be found, for example, on the registration certificate or on the driver's-side windshield. At The Vin Scout, you can use the VIN or license plate number to obtain a Vehicle History Report. Check the number VIN or license plate.
Up to 70% of vehicle buyers have experienced manipulation by sellers, so the best solution would be to ask for the VIN number before seeing the car. If the seller is unwilling to provide the VIN number, be careful.
Because the Vehicle History Report is instantly available online and you don't need any specific document to buy it, you can also learn about the car's history when you go to see it in person.
What will you gain with The Vin Scout report?
Silver Elite
€34.99
report delivered in
12-24 hours
Presence in stolen vehicle databases
Previous odometer readings
Recorded damage history
Dates and countries of previous registrations
Archived photos of the vehicle
Validity of the technical inspection
Previous vehicle purpose (e.g., TAXI)
Legal issues with the vehicle (e.g., tax liens)
