Finding Your Vehicle’s VIN Number: Is It Really Important?

If you are a vehicle owner or about to be one, you should be familiar with the term VIN number, and if you aren’t, then you are in the right place.

VIN is an abbreviation for Vehicle Identification Number, and as the name suggests, it is a series of digits that helps identify vehicles. When any new vehicle is produced, it is assigned a unique number that sets it apart from any other vehicle ever made.

At EUROCOC, we have put together a detailed guide to educate you on your VIN number, helping you smoothly complete processes like vehicle registration and ordering a Certificate of Conformity.

Where Do I Find My VIN Number?

For vehicles made after 1981, the VIN number has 17 characters and consists of both numbers and letters. A car VIN number check is a simple procedure to follow since you can locate your VIN number on car parts such as:

• The engine bay
• In front of the engine block
• On the dashboard, at the bottom of the windscreen
• Under the spare tire
• Around the driver or passenger door (sometimes under a flap)
• Around the washer fluid container
• Under the wheel well.

If you cannot find your VIN number in any of these places, you should check for your car’s homologation plate.

The homologation plate is a sticker or a metal plate that includes details such as the vehicle’s weight, VIN number, and manufacturer. The plate is often located around the engine or on the front door’s frame.

Another place to find your VIN number is on your car papers. Some vehicle documents that should contain your VIN number are your insurance documents, car title, registration certificate, vehicle history documents, owner’s manual, and police reports.

You should note that a VIN number is not just a random string of characters placed on a car. Rather, a VIN number is a specific code that you can use to find the country the vehicle was manufactured, its year of manufacture, and its brand and model.

Here is a breakdown of your VIN number, and what each character means.

• First three characters:

The first three characters of your VIN number denote the country where your vehicle was manufactured. For instance, the character ‘J’ is for Japan, ‘1’, ‘4’, and ‘5’ are for the USA, and ‘W’ is for Germany (previously West Germany).

You can check the complete list of countries and their corresponding characters here.

• 4th to 9th characters:

The characters ranging from position 4 to position 9 are used to describe the vehicle, including its platform, style, and model.

• 10th to 17th characters:

The last eight characters help identify the vehicle specifically. Positions 10 and 11 show the model year and plant code respectively, while the last six characters are the chassis number.

Some online tools are designed to help you conduct a VIN number lookup free of charge. You can simply input your VIN number in the search bar.

Depending on the tool, you will then need to press ‘Enter’ or click an icon like ‘check VIN number’ or ‘VIN number search’ and the tool will display details about your vehicle.

Is VIN Number Same As Chassis Number?

Like the VIN number, the chassis number is also mentioned often when it comes to vehicle identification. It is alright to use the terms ‘VIN number’ and ‘chassis number’ interchangeably because they mean the same thing.

Why Do You Need A VIN Number?

Your VIN number is essential, first of all, because it is the most notable set of characters that distinguish your vehicle from other vehicles.

In some ways, you can say that your vehicle’s VIN number is its fingerprint. With a VIN number lookup on the internet, all the features that make your car distinct will be displayed.

If you are new to the world of automobiles, your VIN number should be one of the first things to take note of when purchasing a vehicle.

The EU regards the VIN number as compulsory for car manufacturers to place on the vehicles. Most transport agencies in the EU and around the world require your vehicle’s VIN number when going through the registration process.

In the EU, your VIN number is necessary for online vehicle registration procedures and when you want to order a Certificate of Conformity (COC).

You need a European COC to register a new car in the EU or import a car from outside the EU. At EUROCOC, we can help you conveniently order your COC and deliver it to you as early as 5 business days.

Where Is The VIN Number On A Motorcycle?

Cars are not alone in the need for identification – motorcycles are also labelled with VIN numbers. Here are some locations that you can search to find your motorcycle’s VIN number:

• On the motorcycle’s engine/motor
• Along the steering neck
• Around the front frame

After finding your VIN number on your motorcycle, you can order your motorcycle’s Certificate of Conformity from EUROCOC, as our services extend beyond just cars, including motorcycles and light goods vehicles.