What’s a VIN number?

A VIN number is a car’s unique identity number.

Every car has its own VIN number, which is 17 characters long.

Unlike registration numbers, which can be changed, a VIN number is constant throughout the lifetime of a car.

Where can I find the VIN number?

The VIN number can be found on a small plate riveted under the bonnet and stamped on the car's floor pan. Sometimes it’s also located at the base of the windscreen or in the door pillar.

There are few reasons why this could be removed, so be suspicious if there are signs of tampering.

You could be looking at a clone – a stolen car given the identity of a write-off. Or it may be a 'ringer' – a stolen car which has had its identification numbers replaced by a set from another – changing the car's identity.

What should I look out for?

You should make sure:

• The VIN number on the car matches the VIN number in the V5C registration document
• The VIN number is 17 characters long – a mixture of letters and numbers
• There are no stickers or other obstructions placed over the VIN number
• The VIN number hasn’t been tampered with or replaced

For more information visit our Safety and Security Centre.