How to Check a Vehicle's VIN Code?
3 Answers
Locations to check a vehicle's VIN code: 1. Below the door; 2. Left side of the front windshield; 3. Inside the engine compartment or on the driver's door pillar; 4. On the vehicle insurance certificate or vehicle information registration card. A vehicle's VIN code consists of 17 letters and digits, each representing: 1. The 1st digit indicates the country or region of manufacture; 2. The 2nd to 3rd digits represent the manufacturer and vehicle type; 3. The 4th to 8th digits provide information on the vehicle's category, series, body, and engine type; 4. The 9th digit is the check digit; 5. The 10th digit denotes the production year; 6. The 11th digit is the assembly plant code; 7. The 12th to 17th digits represent the production serial number.
Finding the VIN is my specialty—I was clueless when I first bought a car too. Now I know the three most common spots: the lower left corner of the windshield (most obvious, visible from the front), the label on the door frame pillar when you open the driver’s door (can’t miss it), and the metal plate under the hood (clearly engraved). Some cars also hide backups under the passenger floor mat or in the spare tire well. If you can’t find it, don’t panic—it’s printed on the first page of the vehicle registration (the big green book) and recorded on your insurance policy. Mechanics scan the code on the windshield with their phones to check service history, and if you’re buying aftermarket parts, matching them to this code ensures no mistakes.
The VIN is like a car's ID card, and its location varies by vehicle type. For sedans, the most reliable spot is the lower left corner of the windshield—easily visible from outside. Some SUVs require squatting down to see it. Vans often have it stuck under the driver's seat, while pickups usually engrave it on the inner side of the cargo bed. Once, I helped a neighbor inspect a used car and taught him to cross-check four key spots: the windshield, door frame, engine bay, and registration certificate. If any of them don't match, it's likely a refurbished accident car. Memorizing your car's VIN saves time during maintenance—last time I replaced wiper blades, just reciting the last six digits got me the right model in three seconds.
