Can I repair the unclear VIN by myself?
2 Answers
It is not recommended to repair an unclear VIN by yourself. Due to the importance of the VIN for the vehicle, it is generally advised not to handle it on your own. Additionally, before going to a professional repair shop for refurbishment, you need to report and apply to the vehicle management office, and only after obtaining permission can you refurbish the VIN. The materials required for applying to refurbish the VIN at the vehicle management office are as follows: 1. Introduction one: "Motor Vehicle Change, Filing Application Form." 2. Introduction two: The original and a copy of the vehicle owner's ID card. 3. Introduction three: If a proxy is handling the procedure, prepare the original and a copy of the proxy's ID card, as well as a power of attorney from the vehicle owner. 4. Introduction four: "Motor Vehicle Registration Certificate." 5. Introduction five: "Motor Vehicle Inspection Record Form."
Last time I helped a friend deal with a similar situation, and I learned that you really can't casually handle a blurry VIN yourself. The VIN is like a car's ID number, usually stamped on the firewall in the engine compartment or the door frame on the passenger side, mostly via stamping or laser engraving. If it's just covered by surface dirt, you can gently scrub it with a soft brush dipped in neutral detergent. However, if it's unreadable due to metal rust or corrosion, never attempt to polish it yourself—that would violate the 'Motor Vehicle Management Regulations,' which explicitly prohibit tampering with vehicle identifiers. A real case I saw at the DMV last time: a car owner used sandpaper to polish off rust, but it made the characters shallower, and they were directly accused of tampering with the VIN. Not only was the annual inspection blocked, but they also had to undergo an investigation. In such cases, it's best to consult a professional auto repair shop. They have non-destructive cleaning techniques like magnetic abrasive finishing, and if repair isn't possible, they can apply for re-stamping through legal procedures.
