Where to Find VIN Number: Complete Guide

What Is a VIN Number?

Think of a VIN like your car’s fingerprint. No two cars on the planet share the same one. Pretty cool, right?

VIN stands for Vehicle Identification Number. It’s a code made up of 17 characters – that’s a mix of numbers and letters. This special combination tells the story of your car: where it was built, what year it rolled off the production line, what make and model it is, and loads more.

Cars in the UK have needed VINs since 1981. Before that, things were a bit messier when it came to tracking vehicles. Now every car, van, lorry, and motorcycle gets its own unique code stamped on it at the factory.

You might hear people call it a chassis number sometimes. Don’t let that confuse you – it’s the same thing. Different name, same number.

VINs never use the letters I, O, or Q. Why? Because they look too much like the numbers 1 and 0. The people who created this system wanted to avoid mix-ups, which makes sense when you think about it.

READ ALSO: Is the VIN the Same as the Chassis Number?

Where to Find Your VIN on the Car

Right, let’s get practical. Your car actually has the VIN stamped or stuck in several places. The manufacturers do this on purpose – it makes the car harder to steal and easier to identify. Here’s where to look.

On the Dashboard

This is usually the easiest spot to check, and you don’t even need to get in the car.

Walk around to the driver’s side and look through the windscreen. Now crouch down a bit and look at the very bottom of the dashboard, right where it meets the windscreen. See that little metal plate or strip with numbers and letters on it? That’s your VIN.

The police love this spot because they can check it without stopping you or asking you to pop the bonnet. Clever, isn’t it? The VIN sits there in plain view, but most people drive past it every day without noticing.

Some cars have it on a little metal plate. Others have it actually stamped into the dashboard itself. Either way, it should be clearly visible from outside the car.

Inside the Driver’s Door

Open your driver’s door nice and wide. Now look at the door frame – that’s the bit of the car the door closes against, not the door itself.

You’ll usually spot a sticker or a small metal plate somewhere on this frame. It might be near the top by the hinges, or down low where the door latches. Different car makers put it in slightly different places, but it’s always on that door frame.

This sticker often has other useful information too, like your car’s weight, the month and year it was made, and paint colour codes. But the VIN is the main thing you’re after – it’s usually the longest number on there.

Under the Bonnet

Pop your bonnet and have a look around. The VIN often appears in a few spots here.

Check the engine block first – that’s the big metal lump in the middle of everything. Sometimes you’ll see the VIN stamped directly into the metal. It’s not always easy to spot because engines get dirty, but run your hand along the front or side, and you might feel the raised numbers.

Also, have a look at the front of the car frame, near where the bonnet closes. Many manufacturers stamp or rivet a metal plate here. It’s usually towards the driver’s side, near the windscreen washer bottle.

You might need a torch for this one. Engine bays can be dark and cramped, especially on newer cars with all their plastic covers.

Other Sneaky Locations

Car makers sometimes hide VINs in unusual spots, too. Here are a few more places worth checking:

Spare Tyre in the Boot

In case there is a spare tyre in the boot of your car, lift it. A VIN plate sometimes is under or on the side of the tyre well. This one is convenient since it is weatherproof and tends to be clean.

Service Book/Owner’s Manual

The VIN may be printed on the front cover of your service book or owner’s manual. Past keepers write it there occasionally, so you do not have to crawl around the car.

Boot Lid/Under the Seat

Other older vehicles have the VIN number on the inside of the boot lid or under the rear seats. These places are not as popular at present, but it is always worth considering visiting them in case you cannot locate the VIN elsewhere.

Where to Find Your VIN on Documents

Sometimes it’s easier to grab a bit of paperwork than get down on your hands and knees. Here’s where your VIN number appears on your important car documents.

V5C Logbook (Registration Certificate)

This is your main document for the car. Everyone calls it the logbook, but its official name is the V5C registration certificate. It’s that big paper document that comes from the DVLA.

Your VIN sits right there in Section 1 of the V5C, along with your registration number and the make of your car. You can’t miss it – it’s clearly labelled as “VIN/Chassis Number.”

Don’t have your V5C? Maybe you’ve just bought the car, and you’re waiting for it to arrive? Or perhaps you’ve lost it? You can apply for a new one through the DVLA website or by posting form V62. It costs £25 and takes about five working days to arrive.

Keep your V5C somewhere safe at home. You’ll need it when you sell the car, tax it, or change your address. Just don’t keep it in the car itself – if someone nicks your car, you don’t want to hand them the paperwork too.

Insurance Documents

Every car insurance policy includes your VIN number. The insurance company needs it to make sure they’re covering the right vehicle.

Check your insurance certificate – that’s the official document that proves you have cover. The VIN usually appears near the top, along with your registration number and your name.

Your policy schedule (the document that lists all your cover details) will have it too. So will any renewal letters or changes to your policy.

If you’re getting insurance quotes online, most comparison websites will ask for your VIN or work it out from your registration number. It helps them give you accurate prices because your VIN tells them exactly what car you have, including any special editions or modifications.

MOT Certificates

Every MOT certificate shows your VIN right at the top. This helps prove that the test was done on your specific car, not just any car with the same registration.

You can check your MOT history online through our MOT check tool. Just type in your registration number, and you’ll see your vehicle’s MOT history, including the expiry date, previous results, and any advisories, along with the mileage at the time of the test.

The MOT certificate from the official GOV.UK website is very useful when you’re buying a used car. You can check the MOT history to make sure the VIN on the car matches the VIN on all the old MOT certificates. If they don’t match, something dodgy might be going on.

Purchase Documents

When you bought your car, whether from a dealer or a private seller, you should have received some paperwork. The original sales receipt or invoice will include the VIN number.

Your service history records show the VIN, too. Every time your car goes in for a service, the garage notes down the VIN on their paperwork. It’s their way of keeping track of which car they’re working on.

If you bought your car on finance, all those finance documents will have the VIN listed. The finance company needs it to prove which vehicle they’re lending money for.

READ ALSO: How to Update Your Logbook Online

How to Find Your VIN Online

Sometimes you just want to look up your VIN without going outside or digging through papers. Can you do that online? Sort of.

The tricky bit is that your full VIN number isn’t shown publicly on the internet. That’s actually a good thing – it stops criminals from using your VIN to clone cars or commit fraud.

If you type your registration number into the DVLA’s free vehicle enquiry service or our number plate check tool, you’ll get loads of information about your car. You’ll see the make, model, colour, year, MOT expiry, and tax status. But you’ll only see the last five digits of your VIN. The first 12 characters are hidden to protect your privacy.

There are paid vehicle check services like Smart Car Check VIN check that gives you the VIN details along with a complete car history check. The check will also tell you if the car is written off, stolen, or has outstanding finance. Worth it if you’re buying a used car.

Just remember – if someone online is offering to give you any VIN for any car for free, be careful. Genuine services protect this information. Anyone offering it too easily might be up to no good.

Why Your VIN Number Matters

You might be wondering why everyone makes such a fuss about the VIN number. What’s so special about 17 characters? Turns out, quite a lot.

Buying and Selling Cars

This is where your VIN becomes your best mate. When you’re buying a used car, checking the VIN can save you from making a massive mistake.

Here’s what happens: you can check that the VIN on the car matches the VIN on the V5C. Simple as that. If they don’t match, walk away. Seriously. Different numbers mean something’s wrong – the car might be stolen, the paperwork might be fake, or someone’s messed about with the identity of the vehicle.

When you’re selling, having the VIN handy helps potential buyers trust you. They can run their own checks and see that everything’s legitimate. Honest sellers have nothing to hide.

Insurance and Registration

Try getting car insurance without your VIN. Go on, try it. You’ll hit a wall pretty quickly.

Insurance companies use your VIN to work out exactly what car you have. Two cars might have the same registration year and model name, but one could be the basic version and the other could be the sporty version with a bigger engine. Your VIN tells them which one you’ve got, and that affects your insurance price.

The DVLA needs your VIN too. When you tax your car or update your details, they use the VIN to make sure their records match your actual vehicle. It keeps everything neat and tidy in their system.

Safety Recalls

Car manufacturers sometimes find problems with certain vehicles and need to call them back to the garage for a free fix. These are called safety recalls.

How do they know which cars need fixing? The VIN. They use specific VIN numbers to work out which cars rolled off the production line during the time when the dodgy part was fitted.

You can check if your car has any outstanding recalls by visiting the manufacturer’s website and typing in your VIN. It takes two minutes and could save your life. Some recalls fix problems with airbags, brakes, or steering – pretty important stuff.

Checking Car History

This is massive when you’re buying a used car. Your VIN unlocks the whole history.

A vehicle history check shows you the car’s number of previous keepers. They tell you if it’s ever been written off by an insurance company. They reveal if there’s any outstanding finance on it – you don’t want to buy a car only to have the finance company take it back because the previous owner didn’t finish paying for it.

The check also shows the mileage from every MOT test. This helps you spot if someone’s wound back the clock to make the car seem less used than it really is. It’s called clocking, and it’s illegal, but some dodgy sellers still try it.

All of this information comes from one number – your VIN. That’s why it matters so much.

What to Do If You Can’t Find Your VIN

Sometimes the VIN plays hide and seek. Don’t panic – here’s what to do.

Check Your V5C Logbook

First things first: grab your V5C logbook. This is by far the easiest place to find your VIN, and you should have this document somewhere at home. Check in your important documents folder, your car’s document wallet, or wherever you keep paperwork.

Check Your Insurance Document

No V5C? Check your insurance documents next. Your current insurance certificate will definitely have it listed. So will your renewal notices or any letters from your insurance company.

Owner’s Manual

Still stuck? Dig out your owner’s manual from the glovebox. Most manufacturers print the VIN inside the front cover or on the first page. Some even dedicate a whole page to showing you where to find the VIN on your specific model.

Call/Visit Your Dealership

If you’ve recently bought the car, call the dealer you got it from. They’ll have your VIN in their records and can tell you over the phone or send it in an email.

Ask the Manufacturer

For older purchases, try calling the manufacturer’s customer service line. They can usually look up your VIN using your registration number, though they might ask you some security questions first to prove you own the car.

Warning Note: If you genuinely can’t find any VIN plate on the actual car – not on the dashboard, not in the door, not under the bonnet – that’s suspicious. A missing VIN number could mean the car’s stolen, or someone’s tried to hide its identity. If you’re buying a car and can’t find any VIN plates, walk away. It’s not worth the risk.

Important Safety Tips About VIN Numbers

Let’s talk about the dark side for a minute. Criminals know that VINs are valuable, and they try to use them for scams. Here’s how to protect yourself.

Always Match the VIN

This is rule number one, written in capital letters and underlined: the VIN on the car must match the VIN on the V5C. No excuses.

Check every VIN plate you can find on the car. The one on the dashboard should match the one on the door frame. Both should match the one under the bonnet. And all of them should match what’s written on the V5C.

Even one number being different is a massive red flag. Don’t let the seller talk you out of it. Don’t accept excuses like “oh, they must have made a mistake when they printed the V5C.” Walk away.

Watch Out for VIN Cloning

This is a nasty scam. Criminals find a legal car that’s the same make, model, colour, and year as a stolen car. They copy the VIN from the legal car and stick it on the stolen one. Then they create fake documents to match.

How do you spot it? Look carefully at the VIN plates. Are they riveted on properly, or do they look like they’ve been stuck on recently? Do the rivet heads look shiny and new compared to the rest of the car? Is the plate sitting at an angle or not quite flat?

Check if the VINs on different parts of the car look like they were stamped by the same machine. Factory VIN stamps have a consistent look – all the numbers line up nicely and are stamped to the same depth. Fake ones often look messy or uneven.

Check for Tampering

Get up close and personal with those VIN plates. Look for scratches around the rivets, like someone’s tried to pry them off. Check if there are extra holes nearby where old plates might have been.

Shine your phone torch on the stamped VIN numbers. Do any numbers look like they’ve been ground down and re-stamped? You might see rough edges or depths that don’t match.

Run your finger along the numbers. They should all feel the same depth and have the same spacing. If one or two numbers feel different, someone might have changed them.

Walk Away If Something Seems Wrong

Trust your gut. When something does not sit well with the VIN, then do not purchase the car. It does not matter how good the price is or how much you like the colour.

An honest dealer will not object to your verification of the VIN. They will not hurry you or attempt to keep your gaze off the plates. When someone becomes defensive when you begin to investigate the VIN, then you know all you need to know.

There are millions of cars out there. If one seems dodgy, move on to the next one.

READ ALSO: 10 Common Car Scams You Should Know

Understanding What Your VIN Tells You

Your VIN isn’t just a random jumble of letters and numbers. It’s actually quite clever. Each character sits in a specific position and means something particular about your car.

1st Character – Country of Origin

The first character tells you which country built your car. S means the UK, J means Japan, 1 means the USA, W means Germany, and so on. Pretty neat way of seeing where your motor came from.

2nd Character 2 – Manufacturer

Characters two and three show the manufacturer. For example, HM means Honda, SA means Subaru, and WA means Volkswagen. Every car maker has their own code.

4th-8th Characters – Model, Body, Engine & Features

Characters four to eight describe your car in detail. These tell you the model, body style, engine type, and sometimes special features. This is why two cars that look similar might have different VINs – one might have a bigger engine or extra safety features.

9th Character – Check Digit

Character nine is special. It’s called a check digit, and it’s calculated using a mathematical formula based on all the other numbers. This helps computer systems spot if someone’s typed the VIN in wrong or if it’s been tampered with.

10th Character – Model Year

Characters ten and eleven show the year the car was manufactured. Character ten uses letters and numbers to show the year – H means 2017, J means 2018, L means 2020 (they skip I because it looks like the number 1).

11th Character – Assembly Plant

The eleventh character of the VIN shows the factory where your car was built. Different manufacturers have different characteristics to identify their production plants.

12th-17th Character – Unique Serial Number

The last six characters are unique to your specific car. They’re your car’s serial number – no other car in the world has these exact six digits in combination with the first eleven characters.

Remember how we mentioned the letters I, O, and Q never appear? That’s because “I” looks like “1”, “O” looks like “0”, and “Q” looks like “0”. The VIN system skips these letters to avoid confusion.

Wrapping It Up on Where to Find the VIN Number

Locating your VIN doesn’t need to be difficult. Now you know it’s sitting on your dashboard visible through the windscreen, inside your driver’s door, somewhere under your bonnet, and printed on your V5C logbook.

What’s most important is that you should not forget to get a VIN number check when you are purchasing a second-hand car. Spend two minutes to ensure that the numbers are the same everywhere. Such a basic check can help you avoid purchasing a stolen vehicle or becoming a victim of the mess of another person.

Your VIN tells your car’s history, proves it’s legal, helps you get insurance, and lets you check for safety recalls. Have it saved somewhere, take a photo on your phone, or write it down in your contacts. You never know when you’ll need it.