The car's chassis number, also known as the VIN number, is like the DNI of our vehicle. It is the unique and exclusive identification chassis number of each car on the market. Now, what does this series of digits tell us?
Thanks to the frame number we can know and identify the main features of the vehicle: engine, gearbox, transmission, braking system, color, date and place of the first registration of the vehicle, etc. But not only this, it goes much further. We could say that it is an "extended DNI" with which we will even know the "blood group" of the car.
With the frame number we will be able to know the complete vehicle history: all that data that the main driver or future purchaser of the vehicle should know. These informations are reviews what happens the car, repairs, etc. All this is reflected in the history of the vehicle.
Thus, with the VIN we can see if the car in question has suffered any accident, many kilometers was wearing at a specific time, if the odometer has been tampered with, if it has been Stolen o sold, if you are high or have you ever been sick, etc.
What is the use of checking this number?
Check a used car
If we want to buy a second-hand car, the first thing we should do is check the VIN of the vehicle to make sure everything is in order and that it is not a stolen car.
Thus, we should check that the chassis number that appears on the technical sheet agrees with the one that the vehicle has in the different areas where we can find it (see below).
If the number does not match, it is most likely a stolen car. We can also find ourselves in the situation that the VIN is erased or untraceable, if so, we should not buy that car since it will be stolen.
VIN number for car history
On the other hand, it is also very useful for workshops, since in addition to obtaining the technical information of the vehicle and its history, it allows to prepare an adjusted budget when facing repairs.
In addition, insurers, the administration itself or the State security forces and bodies can also take advantage of the chassis number of the cars when doing their job.
How do I locate the chassis number
At first it can be difficult to know where the VIN is, but it really is very easy to locate it. There is no standard location or predefined of the VIN, so depending on the manufacturer, we can find it in different places. As a general rule, we can find it on these sites:
- Underhood
- in the engine compartment
- Inside the passenger compartment (under the passenger seat, on the dashboard, on the driver's door, etc.).
- In the technical file of the vehicle
How to read the chassis number
Before 1981
First of all, if you have a car made before 1980, you should know that does not have a unified chassis number, since there was still no regulated numbering system at a general level for vehicles; instead, each manufacturer created their own numbers and codes.
After 1981
Since 1981, it was decided that all vehicles should have an identification number following a unique structure, which is technically known as the standard. ISO 3779..
Knowing where to locate the chassis number is a simple task, the only complicated thing is knowing how to interpret the numbers and letters that are in this code. First of all, we must know that there is two models: European and American.
Depending on the manufacturer of our car, the chassis number will be in one format or the other. As we have already said, the European system is based on the ISO 3779 standard, just like the American one, the difference is that the latter is a little stricter.
Obviously, they are not random numbers and without any meaning, for each data a specific character is used. For example, to know the year of manufacture of a car that goes from 1980 to 2030, a specific number or letter is used. Except for cars manufactured between 2001 and 2009, when it was decided that the year should be reflected with a number.
European chassis number
Example: VSSZZZ1MZ2R040807
We have a total of 17 charactersLet's see what all of them are for:
The first three (VSS) correspond to the manufacturer's global code in question:
- The first character refers to the country of manufacture (WV in case of the Spanish),
- The second to brand (Audi is the A, BMW is the B, or Volkswagen is the W)
- The third refers to manufacturer.
Between positions 4 through 9 (ZZZ1MZ), you put Series. The manufacturer, at his discretion, fills in unused positions with letters or numbers.
- Position 10 (2) concerns the year of the model.
- The 11 (R), for the manufacturing plant vehicle.
- From 12 to 17 (040807), reports the production number.
American chassis number
Example: VSSZZZ1MZ2R040807
The first three characters (VW1) indicate the same as the European model. From here the differences begin.
Next, we find a combination of 6 letters and numbers (ZZZ1MZ) that indicate the description of the vehicle:
- The first 5 characters (ZZZ1M) indicate the series, engine type and finish; the last digit (Z), the control number.
The last eight digits (2R040807) refer to the vehicle indicator:
- The first (2) indicates the year of the model.
- Next, the character (R) appears, indicating the manufacturing plant.
- The last 6 numbers or letters (040807) correspond to the production number car.
Mobile apps
As we have already seen, thanks to the chassis number we can know many aspects and characteristics of a specific vehicle. Over the years, manufacturers have developed apps and gadgets capable of transmitting updated information from our vehicle directly to our Smartphone.
Thanks to these App's, we can meet instantly data from our vehicle such as fuel consumption, car kilometers, tire pressure, maintenance, vehicle warranty, current location, etc. A good example is the app that Ford has, the Ford Pass Connect, that allows you to see the status of your car in real time.
How is it possible? By synchronizing our Smartphone with the vehicle through its frame number.
As we can see, the VIN or identification chassis number has a wide range of possibilities if we want to know everything about our car, a series of information that leaves no one indifferent and that develops even more over the years.
Images 5 and 6 – fdecomite, Brian Shamblen
Total, I've stayed as before, I don't know the year nor do I know anything.
In the case of Jaguar there is another number that is the net of Chassis. Which depends on the year of manufacture and model