What does duplicate vehicle identification number mean?
2 Answers
Vehicle identification number refers to the vehicle model and factory serial number, which should be printed on easily visible and traceable parts of the vehicle frame or body as per regulations. The specific printing location should be indicated in the product manual for easy reference. Relevant introductions are as follows: 1. Taking passenger car series as an example: The first three digits of the identification code are determined by three standards - production country, manufacturer, and vehicle type. 2. Relevant code representations: LFW refers to trucks, LFP refers to passenger cars, LFB refers to buses, LFN refers to incomplete vehicles, LFD refers to spare parts, LFS refers to special vehicles, LFT refers to trailers, LFM refers to multi-purpose passenger vehicles, LFV refers to vehicles produced by FAW-Volkswagen.
Recently, while helping a friend inspect a used car, I discovered that the vehicle identification number (VIN) was duplicated, meaning the same VIN was being used on multiple cars. The VIN is like a car's ID card—a globally unique 17-digit code. Duplication could be due to a factory registration error or intentional cloning for fraudulent purposes, such as stolen cars being rebranded to pass as legitimate. I've seen several cases like this where buyers faced issues during registration, requiring lengthy investigations. In severe cases, insurance claims may be denied, and resale value plummets. I consider this a high-risk situation, especially since cloned cars often have safety hazards, like faulty braking systems. My advice: always check the VIN history on reputable platforms before buying a car, and report any duplicates immediately—don’t cut corners to save money. Also, remind your mechanic during routine maintenance to verify the VIN hasn’t been tampered with. Developing this habit can save you a lot of trouble.
