Where can the 17-digit VIN be found?

[Daniella]

17-digit VIN is generally located on the front bulkhead of the engine compartment, the left side of the vehicle dashboard, or the vehicle identification plate on the central pillar. Additionally, the VIN is usually printed in the "VIN" column of the new motor vehicle license. Here is some extended information: 1. Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): Commonly referred to as the chassis number, the VIN is a 17-character alphanumeric code that represents information such as the car manufacturer, production location, production year, and engine/chassis serial number. Due to its unique nature (guaranteed not to repeat for 30 years), it is also known as the vehicle's ID card. 2. Meaning: The 1st digit represents the country of production, the 2nd digit represents the manufacturer. The 3rd digit represents the vehicle type. Digits 4 to 8 represent vehicle characteristics, series, body type, engine type, gross vehicle weight rating, etc. The 9th digit is a check digit, the 10th digit represents the model year, the 11th digit indicates the assembly plant location, and digits 12 to 17 represent the vehicle's production sequence number.

[DiCorbin]

Last time I went for the annual vehicle inspection, the staff taught me several locations to check the VIN. The most common spot is the lower left corner of the windshield - you can see it without even opening the door, which is super convenient. If it's obscured by tint or dirt, just open the passenger door and look for the metal plate on the door frame's lower edge where it's clearly printed. I also discovered that some vehicles have it in the engine compartment, like near the front crossmember or shock absorber mount. By the way, the complete VIN is always printed on both the vehicle registration certificate and license - I recommend taking photos to keep on your phone as backup. Honestly, checking these documents is the most reliable method, but when in a hurry, just look at that string of characters on the windshield - saves you even the trouble of wiping off dust.

[LeClaire]

As an average car owner, I mainly look for the VIN in three places: first, on the far left of the windshield near the dashboard; second, on the metal label on the door frame of the passenger side; and third, directly on the vehicle registration certificate. I've noticed that the VIN location can vary by brand—for example, some German cars have it stamped under the trunk mat. Last time my car was damaged by hail and I needed to file an insurance claim, I made sure to ask the technician to point out the key locations for photos. I recommend keeping a photo of your vehicle registration on your phone or placing a small label in the lower left corner of the windshield for quick reference when needed. Honestly, there's no need to stress too much about the location—most vehicles have at least one spot where it's clearly visible.

[StSara]

When repairing cars, I need to check the VIN dozens of times every day. The lower left corner of the windshield is the most commonly used location, easily visible on 90% of vehicles. For some models, you need to bend down to check the front bulkhead of the engine compartment, such as on the radiator support. Japanese cars often have a label on the inner side of the passenger door sill, visible when you open the door and bend down. For imported vehicles, pay attention to areas near the rear wheel arches or the bottom of the spare tire well, as these are secondary locations. It's recommended to check the windshield area first. If it's too dark, use your phone's flashlight. If the glass has been replaced and lacks the label, refer to the manual to locate other spots.

[ElliotLee]

The first time I searched for the VIN, it took me half an hour to figure it out. Actually, the easiest spot is the lower left corner of the windshield—you can see it clearly from the driver's seat on a sunny day. If you're worried about forgetting, just take a photo of the code on the vehicle registration card and save it in your album along with your ID. Female car owners can try opening the passenger door; the nameplate is usually quite visible at knee height. Once, while washing the car, I found a stamped number on the seatbelt under the rear seat, but this depends on the car model. For modern new cars, the VIN is mostly on the windshield or door frame, while older cars might have it on the inside of the hood. Remember to bring a cloth to wipe off dust, as the stamped grooves can accumulate grime and become hard to read.

[Steve]

Having been in the used car business for eight years, we always check the VIN on the windshield during inspections. If the vehicle has had its glass replaced, immediately turn to the label on the passenger side door sill—this is the most reliable location. For special vehicles like SUVs, check the stamped numbers on the chassis frame rails, and for hatchbacks, pay attention to the inner side of the C-pillar. Experienced inspectors use a phone flashlight to shine at an angle on the lower left corner of the windshield, as the refracted light makes the recessed numbers easier to identify. If you still can't find it, we recommend checking the vehicle purchase tax receipt, which also contains a complete record. As a side note, don’t let window tinting interfere—peel back a small corner to clearly see the original stamped numbers underneath.