What does the vehicle identification number refer to?
2 Answers
Vehicle identification number, fully known as Vehicle Identification Number, consists of 17 characters, so it is commonly called the seventeen-digit code. It contains information such as the vehicle's manufacturer, year, model, body type and code, engine code, and assembly location. The details about the vehicle identification number are as follows: 1. Body type: Refers to the general structure or shape of the vehicle, such as the number of doors and windows, the characteristics of the cargo being transported, and the type of roof (such as van body, fastback body, hatchback body), which distinguishes the vehicle. 2. Engine type: Refers to the characteristics of the power unit, such as the fuel used, number of cylinders, displacement, and static braking power. Engines installed in passenger cars, multi-purpose passenger vehicles, or trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 lb or less should indicate the professional manufacturer and model. Kind: The manufacturer's designation for all vehicles within the same brand that share certain structural similarities, such as body, chassis, or cab type. 3. Make: The name given by the manufacturer to a group of vehicles or engines. Model: Refers to the name given by the manufacturer to vehicles that share the same type, make, kind, series, and body type. 4. Model year indicates a specific model year, and as long as the actual cycle does not exceed two legislative years, the actual production year of the vehicle can be disregarded.
The Vehicle Identification Number, commonly known as the VIN, is the unique ID for every car, consisting of 17 alphanumeric characters. I always emphasize its importance when helping friends buy or sell used cars, as it helps prevent purchasing accident-damaged or cloned vehicles. By checking its history on various websites like Carfax, you can easily see the number of accidents, repair conditions, and recall information of the vehicle. I always perform this step before buying a car myself, saving a lot of unnecessary trouble. During insurance claims, companies also verify the VIN to confirm the vehicle's identity, avoiding fraudulent claims. In short, it's a small detail but crucial for safety—never overlook the VIN found in the lower left corner of the windshield or on the door pillar. In daily use, it’s both simple and practical.
