Is the Vehicle Identification Number the Same as the Chassis Number?

[Archie]

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is the chassis number, which is a unique code assigned by the manufacturer to identify a vehicle. The VIN, through its combination of characters, provides a unique identifier for the vehicle. The Vehicle Identification Number consists of three parts: the first part is the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI); the second part is the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS); and the third part is the Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS). The VIN is typically composed of 17 digits and letters. Positions 1-3 indicate the manufacturer, brand, and type; positions 4-8 represent vehicle characteristics; the 9th position is a check digit calculated using a standard weighted formula; the 10th position indicates the model year; the 11th position denotes the assembly plant (if there is no assembly plant, the manufacturer may specify other information); and positions 12-17 represent the production serial number. The VIN is usually located on the front bulkhead of the engine compartment, the left side of the vehicle dashboard, or the vehicle's central pillar nameplate. On the vehicle registration certificate, the new version typically prints the VIN in the "Chassis Number" field.