How Do I Register My Boat With No Vin Number

A VIN (vehicle identification number) should contain only letters and numbers. For model years 1981 and later, all VINs are exactly 17 characters long, and the letters 'i', 'o' and 'q' are not used.

What is a VIN or Vehicle Identification Number?

VIN stands for "vehicle identification number," and it is the unique code assigned by manufacturers for a specific automobile. A VIN is the automotive equivalent of a social security number; no two vehicles in operation have the same VIN. A VIN is made up of 17 alphanumeric characters with each letter or number revealing identifying information about the vehicle including year, make, model, engine size, manufacturer, manufacturing location, and safety features. Along with providing vehicle specifications, a VIN can also be used to identify past or open recalls, registrations, warranty claims and status, insurance coverage, and theft records.

Where Can I Locate a Car's VIN?

The VIN is most commonly located on the dashboard on the driver's side of the vehicle. It can be viewed by standing outside the car and looking on the corner of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. If the VIN cannot be found there, it can be found by opening the driver's side door and looking inside the door jamb. A VIN is also included on a vehicle's registration, vehicle title, and insurance card.

where to find a vin number

Decoding the Characters of a VIN:

Since 1981, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) standardized how VINs were assigned. Under the NHTSA standard, a VIN is composed of 17 characters (consisting of numbers and letters) with each set of numbers having a specific meaning. A VIN will never include the letters I, O, and Q to avoid being mistaken for 1 and 0.

VIN Decoder:

Vin Decoder

VIN Digits - How to Decode a VIN Number:

There are 17 digits or characters that together comprise each vehicle's unique VIN. Here is what each digit represents to help you better understand your motor vehicle .

Digit 1: Country of Origin

The first digit specifies where the vehicle was manufactured. Here are the most common country codes and their corresponding countries:

1: United States

2: Canada

3: Mexico

4: Foreign vehicle made in the USA

9: Brazil

J: Japan

W: Germany

S: England

L: Taiwan

K: Korea

Y: Sweden

V: Europe

Z: Italy

Digits 2-3: Manufacturer and Division

The second digit identifies the specific vehicle's manufacturer, which is often the first letter of the manufacturer's name, such as 'B' for BMW vehicles. Some common examples include:

A: Audi

B: BMW

C: Chrysler

F: Ford

G: General Motors (Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Buick)

H: Honda

L: Lincoln

N: Nissan

V: Volkswagen

However, some characters can stand for multiple manufacturers, so the third digit combines with the first two to indicate the specific manufacturing division. For example, JM1 can designate Mazda , while JMB can designate Mitsubishi. The first three digits together are known as the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI).

Digits 4-8: Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)

Characters 4 through 8 identify the specific details about the car's vehicle type.

Digit 4: Safety features and information specific to the model
Digit 5: The vehicle's series
Digits 6 and 7: Bodystyle and body type
Digit 8: Engine size

Digit 9: Check Digit

The ninth digit is used to detect incorrect VINs based on a mathematical formula from the Department of Transportation.

Digit 10: Model Year

The tenth digit represents the vehicle's model year . The letters B through Y designate model years 1981 to 2000, with the letters I, O, Q, U, Z excluded. The numbers 1 through 9 indicate the model years 2001 through 2009. In 2010, the alphabet cycles through again beginning with A and will last through the year 2030. Then numbers 1 through 9 will cycle through until 2039.

Digit 11: Manufacturing Plant

The eleventh digit indicates the vehicle's assembly plant . Each vehicle manufacturer has its own set of plant codes.

For example, a Toyota VIN will have a numeric character or D, K, or J if it was manufactured at one of the automaker 's Japanese plants. R stands for its Lafayette, Indiana plant; S stands for Princeton, Indiana; and U designates Georgetown, Kentucky. These are just some of many of Toyota 's manufacturing plants.

Digits 12-17: Production Sequence Numbers

These final digits are the production line numbers which represent the vehicle's unique serial number .

Digits 10-17 are collectively known as the Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS) .

Are Free Vehicle History Reports Included in the iSeeCars VIN Report?

Some iSeeCars reports link to free vehicle history reports such as CARFAX or AutoCheck that provide critical information about a vehicle's past: including if its been in an accident, its number of previous owners, and if it has a salvage title. By getting a free vehicle history summary report by VIN, consumers will better understand the condition of the vehicle and will be able to better anticipate future problems.

Does a VIN Check Include Safety Recalls and Recall Information?

Yes. The iSeeCars VIN Lookup tool includes a Free Recall Check that links to the NHTSA database that will identify if there is an open recall for any new or used cars. It also includes information about all past recalls that affected the vehicle. This can include safety-related recalls such as those involving Takata airbags. Along with being a safety hazard, unresolved recalls including emissions recalls can result in a failed vehicle inspection. If a vehicle has an open recall, ask the dealership to address the recall notice which will likely involve recall repairs.

How Do I Run a VIN Lookup to Get the Free iSeeCars VIN Report ?

Our report can be accessed via the iSeeCars VIN Report app, available for iOS and Android , which allows users to instantly view the comprehensive report after scanning the vehicle's VIN barcode. (If the VIN located on the windshield does not have a barcode, check the VIN located inside the driver's side door.) Users get 10 free lookups to access 10 full reports. Paid subscription plans are also available for high-volume users. It can also be viewed by entering a VIN number at https://www.iseecars.com/vin , by clicking the "Full Report" button on all used car listings on iSeeCars.com, or via the Google Chrome extension , which automatically generates an iSeeCars VIN Report for each VIN it detects on any website such as Craigslist, Cargurus, Autotrader, Cars.com where you're browsing a car.

FAQs

Can I look up my vehicle specs by VIN number?

Each iSeeCars VIN Report includes a vehicle's key specifications including its trim, color, transmission type, drivetrain, engine type, towing capacity, and more. These specs are found below the VIN Report Summary and also show how they compare to the average for their vehicle class.

Is a VIN always 17 digits?

Beginning in 1981, all vehicles are required to have a 17 digit VIN. Vehicles manufactured before VINs were standardized in 1981 have VINs that are between 11 and 17 characters.

Can I check recalls by VIN number?

Each iSeeCars VIN Report includes a Free Recall Check that will indicate if there are any open or past recalls for the vehicle. The report also links to the NHTSA website for more information.

Can VIN numbers be changed?

It's a federal crime to alter, remove, or tamper with a vehicle's VIN number.