How to Check the Technical Specifications of a Car Using the Chassis Number

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How to Check the Technical Specifications of a Car Using the Chassis Number
How to Check the Technical Specifications of a Car Using the Chassis Number
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The VIN code or, more simply, the Chassis Number is a unique alphanumeric code, consisting of 17 characters, which is attributed to a vehicle at the time of its creation: it is used to identify the manufacturer, the model, the year of production and the factory of origin. The last 7 issues are dedicated to vehicle specifications and vary by manufacturer. This article will show you how to check the characteristics of a car by entering the VIN code in the appropriate section of the manufacturer's website.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Locating the VIN code

Use a VIN Number to Check a Car's Options Step 1
Use a VIN Number to Check a Car's Options Step 1

Step 1. Try to locate the VIN of the car

It is usually located on the driver's side, between the dashboard and the windscreen, on the engine or in the part that divides the doors, always on the right side. It is hardly found on a component that can be removed, but stamped on a plate punched into the supporting structure of the car.

Use a VIN Number to Check a Car's Options Step 2
Use a VIN Number to Check a Car's Options Step 2

Step 2. You can also find the Chassis Number on the car documents, for example on the registration certificate

In case of invasive changes to the vehicle, the VIN code should be updated by the competent authority.

Use a VIN Number to Check a Car's Options Step 3
Use a VIN Number to Check a Car's Options Step 3

Step 3. If you intend to buy a used car, you can request the VIN code from the seller

In principle, there should be no problems. Once obtained, you can do your research to extrapolate the history of the vehicle.

Part 2 of 4: Decode the VIN

Use a VIN Number to Check a Car's Options Step 4
Use a VIN Number to Check a Car's Options Step 4

Step 1. First check the manufacturer's identification code, consisting of the first three characters (numbers or letters) of the VIN code

  • The first character indicates the country of origin, the second and third identify the manufacturer.
  • These first three characters are not unique, but will be present on many cars.
Use a VIN Number to Check a Car's Options Step 5
Use a VIN Number to Check a Car's Options Step 5

Step 2. The 4th to 8th characters show the model, type and platform of the vehicle

This information is also needed to contact the manufacturer and ask for information about the vehicle's specifications.

Use a VIN Number to Check a Car's Options Step 6
Use a VIN Number to Check a Car's Options Step 6

Step 3. The 9th character does not actually refer to a specification, but is a control character

Use a VIN Number to Check a Car's Options Step 7
Use a VIN Number to Check a Car's Options Step 7

Step 4. Go to the 10th character, which indicates the model's year of construction

This information can also be found on the car's documents, or in the seller's documentation

Use a VIN Number to Check a Car's Options Step 8
Use a VIN Number to Check a Car's Options Step 8

Step 5. Go to the last 7 characters

This string is unique since it identifies the vehicle. By accessing the manufacturer's website, with this decoded piece of code you can find information about the car.

Part 3 of 4: Builder Website

Use a VIN Number to Check a Car's Options Step 9
Use a VIN Number to Check a Car's Options Step 9

Step 1. Find out which manufacturer produced the car

If you don't find this data anywhere, then look directly at the VIN from the car, you need the 4th to 8th characters. Or you can also use sites like Carfax or AutoCheck (they are American sites, unfortunately there are no fees in Italy), to extract the Vehicle History

Use a VIN Number to Check a Car's Options Step 10
Use a VIN Number to Check a Car's Options Step 10

Step 2. Go to the manufacturer's website, such as Ford, Honda or Subaru

Use a VIN Number to Check a Car's Options Step 11
Use a VIN Number to Check a Car's Options Step 11

Step 3. Search the site entries for "decode VIN / VIN number" or "search for VIN number / VIN number"

Use a VIN Number to Check a Car's Options Step 12
Use a VIN Number to Check a Car's Options Step 12

Step 4. Some sites have a dedicated area for decoding the VIN and, after searching, are able to indicate the car's specifications

Visit, for example, the estore.honda.com/honda/parts/use-your-vehicle-vin.asp page below.

Use a VIN Number to Check a Car's Options Step 13
Use a VIN Number to Check a Car's Options Step 13

Step 5. Enter your VIN code and click on "Search" (the site is in English)

Use a VIN Number to Check a Car's Options Step 14
Use a VIN Number to Check a Car's Options Step 14

Step 6. Check the car data report

This document should contain technical specifications such as drivetrain, trim and emissions. In addition, any changes to the model should be reported during production.

Unfortunately, there is no uniformity of data: each company has its own way of indicating this information, so a certain number does not always correspond to a complete data. If you do not find the search section on the manufacturer's website, contact the seller or call the manufacturer's assistance

Part 4 of 4: Vehicle Data Report

Use a VIN Number to Check a Car's Options Step 9
Use a VIN Number to Check a Car's Options Step 9

Step 1. Generally, the vehicle is checked, before sale, by the dealer or a dealer

If you need to buy a vehicle from a private individual, with the data in hand, contact the Motorization or the Police Headquarters.

Step 2. There are some sites that allow you to search for the Chassis Number, but it is not always possible to have data relating to vehicles, especially if produced in other countries

It is better to contact the seller and have him do a first search.

Step 3. You can try on this site https://www.dubnetworks.net/vw-vin-decoder.htm (or similar that you find in the drivers' forums) or contact the Motorist's Portal or the DMV for more detailed information on how to obtain vehicle information, and any documentation costs

Once you have the document, keep it.

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