Typically, the VIN is stamped into a plate that's mounted on the dashboard near the windshield or on the driver-side door jamb. It's also stamped on the engine's firewall.
A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is the string of 17 numbers and letters that an automobile manufacturer assigns to an individual vehicle. It’s advantages includes revealing a number of things about a car, including its airbag type, country of origin, engine size, model year and trim level. The VIN also is key to car safety. By entering a VIN in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's free VIN Look-up Tool, you can see whether a vehicle is subject to a recall.
General Motors originally intended to launch the Volt with a flex-fuel variant, but the emissions package was not ready for the first model year, according to the automaker. The E85 compatibility was apparently incorporated into the VIN data before GM decided a flex-fuel version wouldn't be ready in time for 2011. Since then, no flex-fuel version of the Volt has surfaced.
- What We Got?
What intrigued us was what the VIN looked like on an electric vehicle so we decide to decode the VIN on the 2013 Tesla Model S. The information was pretty thin and goes to show that your results may vary, based on what the carmaker supplies.The 2012 Fiat 500 is a reminder of just how globalized carmakers have become. Fiat is an Italian company that now owns Detroit-based Chrysler and manufactures the 500 at Chrysler's plant in Toluca, Mexico. Although 2011 Ford Mustang GT didn't get bought out like Chrysler. Whereas, newer Mustangs correctly list Ford as the automaker. The report tells us that Scion FR-S and its twin, the Subaru BRZ, are the product of a joint venture between Subaru and Toyota. Both cars are manufactured at Subaru's plant in Japan.
- Other Uses Of VIN
Another important use of VIN is for purchasing replacement parts for your vehicle. Bring it along when you buy! Vehicle parts are often specific to certain VINs and may not fit your car if you only go by its year, make and model. Perhaps, a critical use of a VIN is to obtain a vehicle history report for a car you're considering for purchase. Which is also beneficial as the reports can reveal if the car has been reported stolen or we would prefer you to read "Which Vehicle History Report Is Right for You" to decide!