How Can I Check To See If A Vin Has Been Registered?

Things You Can Use the VIN for

Last Updated March 25, 2020

There are several ways cars are identified. The most obvious i is the license plate simply that doesn't say a lot virtually the vehicle because in that location's no national format for the letter and number combinations that brand up a plate. When yous consider vanity plates besides that stand for the owner rather than the car, you tin meet that license plates are not an accurate way of identifying cars. Thankfully each car is given a vehicle identification number (VIN) when it comes out of the factory. This is the nearly accurate manner of identifying the vehicle as, unlike the license plate, it can't exist changed.

What is a VIN?

The car'southward VIN is unique to information technology. For that reason, information technology's the best style of identifying your car when information technology needs to exist recalled or even when you need new parts for information technology. The 17 digit code is made up of messages and numbers that show where the vehicle was built, who manufactured it, its make, its engine size and type, and the model year. It even tells us which found assembled the vehicle.

Where is the VIN?

For decades the VIN was only shown on the chassis but auto makers sympathize that owners can practice more things with the VIN than earlier so cars now quote the VIN at the base of the windshield. That's convenient for car buyers because you can take a note of information technology when you walk around a used car lot. Before you buy a car you tin use its VIN to discover out what records are held on the Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) database.

Car Information by VIN

The MVR database tin tell you lot if the car has always been involved in a major blow, which might not be something the current owner wants to acknowledge. You can use the database to establish how many owners the car'southward had, which affects its value on the used automobile market. It can give you the odometer reading and prove if the vehicle'due south mileage has been rolled back. You tin likewise find out if the current owner has placed a lien on the car, which means the automobile is being used every bit security or collateral on a debt that's not been discharged.

Insurance by VIN

Getting auto insurance is easier when y'all know the VIN. That'southward because the insurance underwriter volition use it to bear out the aforementioned checks you tin can. As the VIN holds details about the car, who manufactured it and the engine size and blazon, the insurer volition get information on the auto that the possessor might get wrong when completing a form. This works in your favor because the more they know well-nigh the car, the more than accurate the quote will be. Some states require insurance firms to provide the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) with your VIN along with the insurance policy number so they tin can police uninsured vehicles.

VIN for Recalls

When a car maker has to recall vehicles the best way for them to make sure they recall the right ones is to use the VIN. Owners don't ever know that their car has been recalled but they can use the VIN to bank check for outstanding recalls. Typing the VIN into a website set up by National Highway Traffic Condom Administration shows whatsoever incomplete recalls and whatever safety recalls conducted over the last 15 calendar years. It'due south not perfect though because recently announced safety recalls aren't always shown on the site if the manufacturer hasn't yet identified every VIN.

VIN for Other Things

Auto parts stores sometimes permit you to look up parts for your car using the VIN. As long as the machine's not been modified too much, information technology'due south the best manner of making sure you get the right parts for the car when you need replacements. You can also utilize the VIN to buy a car fundamental. Like ownership parts, using the VIN for a car key is more accurate than whatsoever other method, unless the locks accept been changed.