Where is The VIN Number on a Car?
A car VIN number (or just a VIN) allows you to quickly identify your vehicle for certain situations that require this number. For example, when someone buys or trades in a car around Riverside, they need the VIN to complete the transaction legally.
Every new and used car truck, and SUV you see on our lot near Norco has a VIN. Are you asking, “Where is the VIN number on a car?” or “What is a VIN number?” Our team will provide more details on what a car VIN number involves with our handy guide for Chino drivers.
Where is The VIN Number on a Car Exactly?
Your car’s VIN can appear in a couple of places on your vehicle.
Where Dash & Windshield Meet
- Stand outside of your vehicle.
- Head to the driver’s side.
- Look closely at the corner of the dashboard where the dash and the windshield meet.
- You’ll see the car’s VIN number permanently imprinted on a small tab.
Near the Driver’s Door
- Open the driver’s door.
- Look where the door latches to the frame.
- See the permanent label somewhere on the doorpost.
No matter where you find the VIN, it must remain attached to your vehicle as mandated by federal law. You now know where to find your car VIN number. Next, discover more information about what a VIN number is and why the VIN is useful.
What is a VIN Number?
VIN is an acronym for a vehicle identification number. You may need to use the VIN for certain situations, such as:
- Registering your vehicle with CA authorities
- Finding past vehicle registration information
- Examining vehicle history reports
- Seeing about active recalls
- Making warranty claims
- Completing theft/police reports
- Buying insurance coverage
- Ordering OEM parts
- Scheduling service
- Applying for financing
- Selling your vehicle
- Trading in your vehicle
When you need to submit your VIN to a secure form on the internet, it’s usually one of these situations.
What Do VINs Consist Of?
VINs are 17 characters long, using letters and numbers. Each VIN is unique to the vehicle, much like your Social Security number, fingerprints, DNA, and personality are to you. No two vehicles on the road have the same VIN. A VIN from a car or truck manufactured before 1981 is less than 17 characters long.
Here’s an example of what a VIN looks like, comprised of digits and capital letters:
1G1YZ23J9P5803427
Your car’s VIN provides identifying information about your vehicle’s manufacturer, specifications, features, and more.
What Do the Different Characters in a VIN Indicate?
Each character identifies a specific aspect of the vehicle:
- Character 1: Country of Origin
- Character 2: Manufacturer
- Character 3: Vehicle Type or Manufacturing Division
- Character 4: Body Type
- Character 5: Engine
- Character 6: Series
- Character 7: Restraint Type
- Character 8: Model
- Character 9: Check Digit to detect a valid VIN
- Character 10: Model Year
- Character 11: Plant
- Last Six Characters: Car’s Serial Number
Cars made in the United States start with a 1, 4, or 5. Canada is 2, Mexico is 3, Japan is J, South Korea is K, England is S, Germany is W, and Sweden or Finland is Y.
When looking at the second character, N is for Nissan if you buy a new Nissan vehicle from us. Most Nissan vehicles have a VIN that starts with JN1 or 5N1. The fourth through eighth characters depend on the manufacturer, and each automaker uses a unique system to identify their vehicles in these digits.
Fun Fact: the letters I, O, and Q are not allowed in VINs.
Take a look at our new vehicle inventory. You’ll see that each online listing has a VIN attached to it.