Where is the VIN located?
3 Answers
Location of the VIN: 1. For most passenger cars, the VIN can be found on the long strip below the windshield in front of the driver, typically in the lower left corner; 2. It is also indicated on the vehicle's registration certificate. New registration certificates print the VIN in the designated VIN field, allowing you to find it through the information on the registration certificate; 3. The VIN can also be found on the car's insurance policy, various nameplates in the engine compartment, and the driver's side door pillar. Purpose of the VIN: 1. The VIN allows for accurate identification of your vehicle; 2. When checking for traffic violations, the VIN is often required to proceed with the query. In many cases, the VIN must be entered to perform operations. The VIN serves as the vehicle's ID card and should be carefully safeguarded by the owner.
The most common location for the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is at the lower left corner of the front windshield. Squat down and look toward the driver's side to see a 17-digit alphanumeric combination. In fact, there are three other places where you can find it: open the front passenger door, and you'll see the VIN engraved on the nameplate at the bottom of the door frame; open the engine hood, and there's usually a metal nameplate on the front bulkhead of the engine compartment; some off-road vehicles also have the VIN stamped on the chassis beam. From my experience, the one on the windshield is the easiest to find and the most convenient for daily vehicle inspections. If these locations are unclear, the second page of the vehicle registration document also records the complete VIN. However, during inspections, you still need to verify the number on the actual vehicle.
I have personal experience with locating the VIN. When I sold my car last time, I found that the number on the windshield had faded due to sun exposure and was illegible. Later, a friend taught me to open the passenger door and find the clear VIN on the silver label on the door sill. Now when buying a used car, I pay special attention to the condition of this spot. Besides these two locations, some cars also have the VIN stamped on the nameplate above the right front shock absorber in the engine compartment. I recommend checking the legibility of these spots during routine maintenance to avoid the last-minute scramble like I experienced during the transfer process.
