The body number or VIN is a unique code for the vehicle. Such a code is assigned at the birth of the vehicle and, thanks to it, you can find out the complete history of the vehicle.
Instructions
Step 1
Determine the location of the body number. It is usually found on the toolbar in the upper left corner. It can be seen through the windshield. It is also duplicated on the left A-pillar. However, in different models, other options for placing the code are possible, for example, under the hood, on the driver's door, etc.
Step 2
Identify the first three characters of the VIN. The first will denote the geographic area in which the vehicle was produced. The second character will indicate the country of the geographical area, and the third - directly by the manufacturer or type of machine. The third figure also shows the volumes of the manufacturer - for small, up to 500 vehicles per year, the figure will be "9".
Step 3
Find out information about car model, body type, engine, etc. on the next six characters of the body number. The sixth digit is a control one for protection against VIN-code interruption. It is necessarily present only in American and Chinese cars.
Step 4
Look carefully at the last eight characters of the VIN-code, the closing four of which must be digits. This part of the body number contains information about the model year of production, which does not coincide with the calendar year, as well as about the vehicle manufacturer.
Step 5
Use the service that allows you to find out the main characteristics of the car via SMS by sending the body number to a short number. You will receive several reply SMS containing reporting information.
Step 6
Enter the body number into the American Autochech and Carfax systems. They will issue a complete report on the vehicle, including data on accidents, floods, insurance claims, odometer readings, even the maintenance service, for example, a taxi or the police and many others. Unfortunately, such databases only allow you to find out about cars from the USA and Canada.
