Verify Before You Buy

What is a VIN?

A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique 17-character code that serves as your car's fingerprint. It contains letters and numbers that identify:

• Manufacturer and country of origin
• Vehicle make, model, and year
• Engine size and type
• Assembly plant location
• Production sequence number

Common VIN Locations

You can find your VIN in several places on your vehicle:

1. Driver's Side Dashboard: Most visible through the windshield from outside
2. Driver's Door Frame: Look for a sticker on the door pillar when door is open
3. Engine Bay: Check the firewall or front of the engine
4. Registration Label: Usually under the hood or on driver's door frame

Alternative VIN Sources

• Vehicle Documents:
  • Registration certificate
  • Insurance policy/card
  • Service records
  • Purchase documentation

Japanese carmakers do not use a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) as is common in the United States and elsewhere. Instead, Japan uses a Chassis (Frame) Number — nine to twelve alphanumeric characters identifying model and serial number.

Where to find the Chassis Number:

• Under the front passenger seat
• On the firewall in the engine bay
• Inside the driver's side door frame
• On the vehicle registration certificate

Example Breakdown:

Vehicle make is not identified but slight number variations can identify the carmaker:

• Toyota usually uses seven digits for serial numbers
• Nissan uses six digits

Model Code:

Because a Chassis Number contains less information than a VIN, Japanese vehicles also use a Model Code.