VIN, ENGINE, AND CHASIS NUMBERS
Overpopulation and consumerism have forced the system to assign identification methods to distinguish one person from another among billions, of products with the exact appearance and features, otherwise identical to the human eye. ID numbers and codes are key to tracing their history report, characteristics, specifications, and background. In the auto industry, there are three ID basic codes to identify a vehicle:
VIN (VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
A 17-digit, exclusive identification code consisting of numbers and characters assigned by the manufacturer with information on the vehicle´s specifications and technical data such as year, make country of origin, engine size, type of transmission, model year, color, vehicle type, trim level, and plant name.
¿WHERE TO FIND IT?
Depending on the manufacturer, you can find it on the dashboard, on the driver´s side; under the hood, beside the engine; under the front grille of the vehicle. Your car dealer should also be able to trace the VIN number of your vehicle.
ENGINE NUMBER
An engine number identifies the engine of a vehicle. Not every car has a unique engine because they are interchanged by manufacturers, so the same engines are often used in several car models. Engine codes are a reference for parts replacements and overhauls and are basically the same in every country. The engine number is exclusive to the engine block.
¿WHERE TO FIND IT?
It is quite visible printed on the engine´s casing; you can find it on the engine block or the distributor cap.
CHASSIS NUMBER
The Chassis Number provides details such as the manufacturing date, year of production, car model, body color, type of transmission, rolling stock, engine type, fuel type, etc. The chassis number is the last six digits of your car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), so you need to find the VIN to determine the chassis number.
¿WHERE TO FIND IT?
The car’s chassis number is often printed on the driver-side door, on a metal strip that is found on the B-pillar of the car, which you can see when the driver-side door is opened; Above or under the spare wheel in the boot, by lifting the wheel.
The above information is like a fingerprint. These identification codes are like the social security of your vehicle: they can tell you everything about the car´s life and the vehicle itself; not only do they display vital data but can detect cloning, frauds, accidents, warranty claims, thefts and more information especially useful when buying a second-hand vehicle.
