DECODING THE VIN CODE OF A CAR

Buying a car, especially a used one, is a serious matter and requires a responsible approach. You can make the task easier. One of the main identifiers of a vehicle is a unique 17-character number, the VIN code. By decoding the VIN, you can find out a lot of useful information about the car - from the country of manufacture to the configuration and actual mileage. In this article, we will examine in detail what a VIN code is, where to look for it and how to read it.

What is VIN and why is it needed?

VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is an identification number assigned to a car during production. It is a kind of vehicle passport, where data about its origin, characteristics and history are encrypted.

The VIN code solves several important problems:

1. Identification of a specific vehicle. Thanks to the uniqueness of the VIN, the manufacturer, dealers and government agencies can accurately identify the car, distinguishing it from other copies of the same model.
2. Vehicle accounting and registration. VIN is entered into all vehicle registration documents, traffic police, customs, and insurance company databases, which allows tracking the vehicle's movements, registration, and ownership history.
3. Checking the history and condition of a car. Using the VIN code, you can find out whether the car was in serious accidents, whether it was repaired, whether it was used as a taxi or official transport, whether it is pledged or wanted. This is important when buying a used car.
4. Protection against theft and fraud. VIN is applied to the car body in several hard-to-reach places, as well as to the glass and main units. If the number is changed or destroyed, this is a clear sign of illegal manipulation of the car.
5. Selection of spare parts and accessories. By VIN code, sellers and car services can accurately determine which parts are suitable for a specific model. This helps to avoid mistakes during repair and tuning.

As you can see, VIN is the key to information about any car. Having learned how to decipher VIN code, you will be able to understand cars much better and protect yourself from unsuccessful purchases and frauds.

Structure and content of the VIN code

The VIN code consists of 17 characters, divided into 3 main parts:

1. WMI ( World Manufacturer Identifier) ??— 1-3 characters. Manufacturer identifier:

• 1 symbol - geographic area (Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, etc.)
• 2nd character - country of production
• 3 symbol - manufacturer's code

Example: WDB – Mercedes-Benz, Germany.

2. VDS ( Vehicle Description Section) — 4-9 characters. Descriptive part:

• vehicle characteristics (body type, model, series, engine, transmission, etc.)
• optional equipment and interior fittings
• security systems and electronics

Different car manufacturers may have different VDS structures and encode them differently.

3. VIS ( Vehicle Identifier Section) — 10-17 characters. Identifying part:

• 10 symbol - year of issue (1980-2030)
• 11 symbol - manufacturer
• 12-17 characters – serial production number of the vehicle (the last 4 must be digital).

In addition to the main sections, VIN symbols have control positions:

• 9 character - VIN checksum (0-9 or X)
• 11 symbol - control of the year of car production
• 12-17 characters - manufacturer's own code, unique machine number

Example of a full VIN: JHMCM56557C404453:

• JHM — Honda, Japan
• CM5 — Honda Accord 7, sedan
• 6 - 2.4 l engine
• 5 - safety system, airbags, pretensioners
• 5 - 2005 year of release
• 7 - Saitama plant
• C404453 - serial number

Special online services and databases will help you decipher the code even more accurately.

Where to find the VIN code on a car

The VIN number of each car is duplicated in several places to make it more difficult to destroy or counterfeit. Standard places for applying the VIN:

1. Plate under the windshield. A metal or plastic plate (nameplate) with the embossed VIN is riveted under the windshield on the driver's side and is visible from the outside.
2. Body pillars. The VIN is stamped on the front pillars of the driver's and front passenger's doors, or near the hinges. It can be seen when the doors are opened.
3. Engine compartment. The number is duplicated on the partition between the engine and the passenger compartment, on the protective boot or near the front pillar cup.
4. Bottom and suspension components. The VIN is stamped on the crossbar under the seats, in the trunk opening or on the suspension components.
5. Vehicle units. The engine block and other large units (gearbox, axles) also have a VIN or part of it.

Also, VIN is always indicated in the registration documents of the car - STS and PTS. When buying a car, it is necessary to do VIN check on the body and in the documents. If they differ, this is a reason to cancel the transaction.

Methods to check VIN code online

Information about a car by its VIN code can be obtained through online services. Their databases contain VIN decodings for most global manufacturers. By entering 17 VIN characters into a special form, you will receive a detailed report with data on the make, model, configuration of the car, time and place of its production.

Some services will also provide a vehicle history:

• mileage according to technical inspection and registration data;
• participation in road accidents, dismantling for spare parts;
• facts of repair, replacement of units;
• regions of registration, change of owners;
• encumbrances (pledge, loan, arrest);
• use in taxis, rentals, etc.

Such an inspection will be paid for, but will cost several times less than a problematic car.

The reliability of the data depends on the service sources. Usually these are official databases of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate, insurers, customs, banks.

To independently check a car by VIN for free, you can use the state online databases:

• Traffic police service - checking registration history, involvement in accidents, wanted list, restrictions.
• Registry of pledges - check for the presence of a pledge on a vehicle.
• Federal Customs Service - whether the car was imported legally and cleared through customs according to all the rules.
• Federal Bailiff Service - presence of arrest, debts of the owner.

Of course, the check takes time. But it is better to be on the safe side than to find "surprises" later in the form of a rolled back mileage, hidden damage or legal problems with the car.

How to decipher VIN code yourself

Having the VIN of the car at hand and knowing what each of its symbols is responsible for, you can understand the main characteristics of the car without online services. Let's look at a few examples.

Number 1. WBA7E0C59GGM56193

• WBA - BMW, Germany
• 7 - 7 series
• E — G11 body (Long)
• 0 - petrol engine
• C - right hand drive
• 5 - 750i (specific model)
• 9 - security system
• G — 2016 year of release
• G — Plant in Dingolfing
• M56193 — body number in the series

Number 2. XW8ZZZ61ZLG028617

• XW8 - Volkswagen Commercial, Germany
• ZZZ — Crafter 30/35/50
• 6 - passenger version
• 1 - long wheelbase, medium roof
• Z — 2.0 TDI (diesel 100-170 hp)
• L — 2020 year of release
• G — plant in Wrzesnia (Poland)
• 028617 — serial number of the car

It is clear that the VIN code can tell where the car was assembled, in what version and with what power unit, when exactly it was released, under what number, and in what country it is intended. You can find out some details (color, options, exact TX) in reference books for a specific model.

Tips for Inspecting a Car Before Buying

When buying a used car, decoding the VIN is only the first step in checking. To protect yourself from risks, it is important to do the following:

1. Ask the seller to provide the VIN and check it against all documents and on the car itself. Any discrepancies are a reason to refuse the deal.
2. Order a VIN report in an online service that cooperates with official databases of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate, insurance companies, and customs. This will help you find out the real history of the car.
3. Check your car for restrictions for free through the traffic police, FSSP, pledge registers and customs databases. It is better to spend time than to get a car with debts or on the wanted list.
4. Inspect the VIN application areas on the body and units. Traces of forgery, replacement, welding of elements are clear signs of the car's criminal past.
5. When inspecting, pay attention to the compliance of the configuration, body type, engine with the data from the decoded VIN code. It is difficult to forge a VIN, but it is quite possible to repaint the car in a different color or replace the engine.
6. Check the service book, maintenance and repair records. Compare them with the mileage and history of the car according to the reports.
7. Carefully study the purchase and sale agreement, especially the seller's responsibility for the condition of the car. If you have any doubts, it is better to refrain from signing.

These steps will help you protect yourself as much as possible from mistakes and fraud when buying a used car. VIN decoding plays a key role here. It provides basic information and points for further checking the condition, legal purity and compliance of the car with the declared parameters.

The VIN code is a kind of digital fingerprint or passport of the car. Do not neglect the identification number of your car. Write it down, take a photo, keep it at hand when contacting a car service, insurance company, bank. When selling a car, be ready to give the VIN to the buyer for verification. And when choosing your next car, take the time to thoroughly check it by VIN.