Where is the chassis number located on a small car?
2 Answers
The chassis number of a small car is located at the lower left corner of the front windshield. Below is relevant information about the chassis number: Location of the chassis number: For trucks and large vehicles, it is generally at the rear of the vehicle frame on the right side; for small cars, it is usually at the lower left corner of the front windshield, beneath the wiper deflector or under the door frame of the passenger seat; for motorcycles, turn the handlebar to one side, and you will find a nameplate below the odometer that indicates the chassis number. The vehicle registration certificate also lists the chassis number under the "Chassis Number" section. The chassis number, also known as the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), serves as the car's identity card, just like a person's ID card. Each vehicle has a unique chassis number, consisting of 17 digits or letters. The VIN provides a lot of information about the vehicle, such as the place of production, vehicle type, year, assembly details, etc. Digits 1 to 3 represent the production location, license plate, and type; digits 4 to 8 indicate vehicle characteristics; digits 9 to 11 represent the check digit, vehicle model year, and assembly plant; digits 12 to 17 denote the serial number, which is the last six digits of the chassis number.
This VIN is usually hidden in plain sight. My favorite spot is the lower left corner of the windshield—just crouch down on the driver's side, and you'll usually find it engraved on the plastic trim. If you still can't locate it, don't worry. Check the vehicle documents; the duplicate of the vehicle license and the compliance certificate under the windshield definitely have it printed. Some automakers like to play hide-and-seek. Take my Ford, for example—I had to pop open the hood and remove the wiper cover to find the stamped number. German cars are even more extreme. Once, while helping a neighbor check their Volkswagen, I had to lift the passenger-side floor mat to spot it on a metal crossbeam. And I remember inspecting a BMW's chassis number during a vehicle inspection—had to crawl under the car to find it on the longitudinal beam near the right rear wheel.
