Where are the VIN and engine number located?

[Emil]

The engine number is generally found on the outer surface of the engine block, on the vehicle's nameplate, or on the nameplate in the engine compartment. The simplest and most direct method is to check the vehicle's administrative green book or the vehicle registration certificate. The engine number is like a person's ID number, representing each vehicle and containing very important information about the vehicle. The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is stamped on the vehicle's frame. The exact location varies by manufacturer, so you can refer to your vehicle's manual. Engine model numbers are identification codes assigned by engine manufacturers in accordance with regulations, industry or company conventions, and the attributes of the engine. These codes represent the manufacturer, specifications, performance, features, technology, purpose, and production batch of the engine, such as fuel type, number of cylinders, displacement, and static braking power. Engines installed in passenger cars or multi-purpose vehicles are required to display the manufacturer, model, and production number. The VIN, commonly referred to as the chassis number, is a professional term for the vehicle identification code. It is a unique set of characters assigned by the manufacturer to identify a vehicle. The VIN consists of 17 alphanumeric characters, also known as the 17-digit identification code, chassis number, or 17-digit number. The combination of these characters ensures that no two vehicles of the same model will have the same number within 30 years, making it a unique identifier for the vehicle—often referred to as the 'vehicle's ID card.' Common locations for the VIN include the vehicle registration certificate and the lower left side of the front windshield. It's important to note that the engine number is not the same as the engine model. The engine model refers to the specifications and size of the engine within the manufacturer's lineup, and multiple engines can share the same model. The engine number, however, is the production number assigned to each individual engine, and no two engines will have the same number. Engine number composition: Prefix: Includes the product series code, generation symbol, and regional or company code. Manufacturers may choose the appropriate letters, but these must be approved and registered by the relevant standardization authority. Middle section: Consists of symbols for the number of cylinders, cylinder arrangement, stroke, and bore diameter. Suffix: Includes symbols for structural features and intended use. Tail: A distinguishing symbol. Manufacturers may use appropriate symbols to differentiate between improved or modified versions of the same series. The suffix and tail may be separated by a hyphen. The VIN consists of 17 characters divided into three parts. Part 1: WMI—World Manufacturer Identifier (positions 1–3); Part 2: VDS—Vehicle Descriptor Section (positions 4–9); Part 3: VIS—Vehicle Identifier Section (positions 10–17).

[OEleanor]

As an ordinary car owner who has driven several vehicles, I often find that the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is most easily visible on the dashboard near the windshield, where you can directly see the 17-character sequence through the glass. For example, my old Toyota had it clearly printed there. Another common spot is on the label attached to the door pillar or B-pillar after opening the driver's side door. The engine number is more hidden, mainly located in the engine compartment, on the side of the engine block, near the piston area. Once when I was buying and selling a used car, the seller deliberately concealed issues, but fortunately, I checked the VIN in advance to verify the vehicle's history. When handling procedures at the DMV, this also helped confirm consistency. During maintenance, if parts are replaced, technicians will verify the engine number. It's advisable to keep these areas clean and unobstructed for emergency checks. Additionally, there are sometimes small markings on the chassis or engine mounts, but these are not mainstream—most can be found at designated points.