VIN is one of the most underrated factors, ignored by the prospective car owner.
While due attention to the details like car model, type, and the price is paid, no one is bothered to know what details are hidden in VIN. Checking VIN is an essential step for pre-owned car buyers as it gives a clear picture of the previous history of the car.
But, sadly, not many of us understand its significance. Some of us even don’t know what it means. Seeing its importance and such a high level of ignorance of people, we decided to educate people about VIN.
Do you also want to become an informed buyer? Pay attention to what we will say next!
VIN Meaning and Definition
VIN stands for Vehicle Identification Number, allotted for every vehicle. It is a 17-character long code featuring a one-of-its-kind combination. People don’t know that they can buy a VIN decoder online and decode all hidden information.
There is an interesting thing about the VIN and its individuality. No two vehicles share the same VIN. So, it’s not erroneous to call it the DNA or fingerprint of the vehicles.
Using VIN, you can find tons of vehicle information like details of the manufacturer, type of model, manufacturing date, engine type & capacity, geographical details of the manufacturer, and many more.
In short, a VIN can tell some of the most hidden information about the vehicle.
The provision of allotting the VIN to the vehicle was started in the late 1950s. Initially, manufacturers were allowed to design VINs as per their choice. There was no standard format because decoding VPNs was very tough.
VIN decoding became a seamless job when a standard format for VINs was allotted in late 1981. Manufacturers across the globe were entitled to follow this format. With this standard format, VIN decoding becomes easy.
Places to Spot A VIN
After the VIN standardization, car manufacturers were guided to place the VINs in certain places for easy spotting and recognition. Some of the most common places to mention the VINs are:
- At the bottom of the windshield on the driver’s side
- On the side of the door on the driver’s side
- On the engine block
- The underside of the hood
- On the fender
Other than these places, VIN is also mentioned on some of the car-related documents like insurance cards and registration papers. So, if you’re not able to spot the VIN on vehicles, look for it on the documents.
How to Read VIN?
Spotting a VIN is not an issue. The real issue is decoding it as each digit/character stands for a specific meaning. Let’s help you out with this. We’ll teach you how to decode VIN with a dummy example.
Let’s consider a VIN example, 1VW-ED37EE-WSXXXXXX. What do you notice in this VIN example?
It’s divided into three sections. Right? It’s because each section refers to a different set of information. We will explain each section in detail.
The first section is a combination of three digits/characters and is called the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) and talks about the vehicle manufacture in detail.
The first digit/character refers to the country where the car is manufactured or the manufacturing plant is located. Sometimes, it could be a digit or a character. The second two characters denote the name of the manufacturer. In the above example, ‘1’ stands for North America, and VW stands for Volkswagen’s Germany-based plant.
The second section of the VIN is known as Vehicle Descriptor Section or VDS. The details that this section refers to are all about the engine type or car model. This section is as per the choice of a car manufacturer. For instance, few manufacturers provide engine details while few talk about the car model. All in all, details like car model engine type, body style, automobile platform, and many others.
Lastly, the last eight-character combination is unique to each vehicle. It is known as Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS) and provides details like production year and equipment used.
Why Should One Be Bother To Decode VIN?
Well, this is something that you should know for sure.
During a car purchase, not every detail is disclosed. So, the odds of getting a car with counterfeit products or engines are higher. Majorly it happens when one is trying to buy a pre-owned car. With VIN, details like past accident records, changes of engines, and damage done to the other body parts can be brought to light.
With such insider details, it’s easier for the buyer to figure out whether or not it’s a good deal.
Is It Wise To Decode VIN Manually?
By using the above-mentioned details, one can think of decoding the VIN manually. Honestly speaking, this is possible. But, it takes a lot of time as one has to find out what each character means.
Not only is it too time-consuming but has high error possibilities. Also, the decoding reference should be officials and as suggested by the government. Missing out on any single detail can mess up the whole thing.
What’s The Viable Way to Decode VIN?
So, manual decoding is not good. Then, how can one decode VIN? Well, another possible way is to use a high-end online VPN decoder like Toyota VIN Decoder.

Using this tool, one can get detailed VIN reports without making much effort. The cutting-edge AI will hunt down thousands of records in the blink of an eye.
All you need to do is grab the exact VIN, enter it on the decoder, and hit “Enter”. Details will be right in front of you.
VIN Check Tools are A Magic Wand in Your Hand!
Honestly speaking, VIN is no less a magic wand for car buyers’ hands as a lot of hidden details are exposed and provided. It’s here to ensure that a good deal is done.
But, all of this is going to happen only if VIN is decoded by a trusted resource. Inaccurate decoding has no meaning at all. So, it’s better to take the help of a high–end and trusted online decoder and get to know your car in a detailed manner.