What is VIN?

A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique code assigned to each motor vehicle for identification purposes. It typically consists of 17 characters. In the following paragraphs, we will explore what a VIN number is, its representation in barcode form, the definition of a VIN number, and its significance in vehicle identification.

What is a vehicle identification number?

A vehicle identification number is a combination of letters and numbers that serves as a motor vehicles’ fingerprint. Therefore, vehicles can never have the same VIN. It provides vital information about a vehicle’s manufacturer, model, year of production, country of origin, and assembly plant. Before buying a used car, it is common to do a VIN lookup (also called a VIN check) using a VIN decoder.

Where to find the VIN number on a car?

A car’s vehicle identification number is typically located on the driver’s side dashboard, the driver’s door jamb, or on important vehicle documents.

VIN Number Definition

A VIN number is a standardised alphanumeric code that follows a specific structure defined by international standards organisations. It typically consists of 17 characters, including both numbers and letters, arranged in a sequence that provides unique identification information for each vehicle. The VIN number is an important tool used by law enforcement agencies, insurance companies, and automotive professionals to verify authenticity and vehicle history reports.

VIN Barcode

In some cases, a vehicle identification number can be represented in barcode form for ease of scanning and interpretation. The barcode format of a vehicle’s VIN allows for quick and accurate data capture using barcode scanners or mobile devices equipped with scanning capabilities. This enables efficient retrieval and processing of vehicle information during tasks such as vehicle registration, maintenance, and insurance documentation.