what does it mean to have a reissued vin on a car

Chances are yous take been asked to provide your automobile's VIN number at some point. Perhaps it was to the dealership, your insurance company, or a potential buyer, simply did y'all know at that place is more to that cord of characters than meets the centre? If yous take ever wondered what a VIN number is or whether a VIN can be changed, or if the phrase "VIN number" is redundant, you're about to observe out.

Summary

A vehicle identification number (VIN) is a form of identification used in modern automobiles. VINs incorporate data almost the vehicle's options and manufacturing and a unique serial number. Government-maintained VIN histories include service records and information about electric current and previous owners, but don't worry, this data is not public tape. Contrary to the rumors, information technology is perfectly safe to give out your VIN.

A typical automotive VIN plate. source — A typical automotive VIN plate. source

What is a VIN Number?

A vehicle identification number (VIN) is like a machine's unique DNA sequence, a form of identification used past all modern motor vehicles. It contains information about the vehicle's industry and country of origin including some model-specific details and the vehicle's unique production serial number.

The standardized length for mod VINs is 17 digits. This format prevents any 2 vehicles produced within thirty years of each other from having the same VIN number. Some vintage or obscure vehicles don't have a standard-length VIN while others take characters that don't have a specific meaning or don't follow a specific design.

Is it "VIN" or "VIN Number"?

Actually, the phrase "VIN number" is redundant. That's because VIN stands for Vehicle Identification Number. In effect you are saying "Vehicle Identification Number Number."

What practice those numbers and messages hateful?

VINs are decoded through a process called VIN Decoding. Each vehicle has a unique VIN sequence and a unique decoding process. A shop manual or forum should explain how to decode the VIN for your vehicle.

Where is the VIN located on my car?

For North American vehicles made in the last few decades, the VIN number can usually be found on the driver'southward side dashboard nearly the base of the windshield. The second location is the commuter'due south side door jamb just below the door latch. For vintage vehicles, the VIN is usually on an identification plate located under the hood.

What is a "numbers matching" auto?

With vintage vehicles, portions of the VIN can often be institute stamped on multiple components. The phrase "numbers matching" describes a car which bears its original serial number on its engine, manual, body, and other components.

What is a VIN used for?

VINs are used for many purposes including sourcing parts, assigning traffic tickets, and determining the original equipment and engagement of manufacture for vintage cars. Insurance companies use VINs to tie coverage to a specific vehicle and history reports like Carfax are based on data attached to a car's VIN – non the concrete paper trail, the physical title, or the license plate number. That'due south because a motorcar's VIN is permanent. Unless it has been tampered with – more on that subsequently.

VIN Information and Vehicle History Reports

Who keeps rails of VINs? Who has access to VIN data?

In the Usa, VIN records are kept by the regime. VIN data can be accessed by your local DMV co-operative and a variety of other entities including vehicle history reporting companies similar Carfax, organizations like the Insurance Institute for Highway Condom, law enforcement, and border customs agencies are all granted certain access to VIN data.

Who can add to, alter, or admission VIN data?

Dealerships and mechanics' shops
History reporting companies like Carfax
Organizations similar the Insurance Plant for Highway Rubber
Constabulary enforcement and customs agents

Is information technology safe to requite my VIN number to a stranger?

Yes! Because VIN data is not public record, it is completely rubber to provide your automobile's VIN to a potential buyer, be that online or in person. A VIN can simply exist used to obtain general information almost your vehicle's service records and history. After all, whatever person could simply walk up to your machine and read its VIN. Even that poses no danger considering VIN data is not public record.

What stops someone from looking at my VIN history?

Some VIN search services accept been known to provide the proper noun and address of the terminal registered owner but using that information for nefarious purposes is against the law. Since VIN data is non public tape, abusing it is a law-breaking. Companies like Carfax charge a nominal fee for their services to deter would-exist scammers from using them for nefarious reasons. Some companies require proof of ownership of the vehicle before revealing any data.

Using VIN information to gather personal data is uncommon and illegal. To this end, many VIN check websites present a version of this statement to their users:

"Alarm: You may simply acquit License Plate and VIN owner data searches to carry out one or more than of the canonical purposes of either the "Automobile Data Disclosure Act", the "Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Saving Act", the "National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966", the "Anti-Auto Theft Act of 1992", or the "Make clean Air Act", all as at present or future amended. Past submitting this course, you attest that you are running the search for an approved reason and you will not share the data with anyone who is non authorized to view it by law."

The higher up quote originated from SearchQuarry.com .

VIN Tampering and Irresolute a VIN

Can a VIN number be changed?

In the United states, it is illegal to change a VIN except in specific circumstances of foreign vehicle importation and vintage car restoration.

Unfortunately, it is possible to create a fraudulent VIN number and even forge a paper title. This is a good reason to run a vehicle history report on a vehicle earlier you purchase information technology.

The process of forging a VIN goes something similar this:

A criminal acquires a car that was stolen, crashed, or otherwise devalued. Let'southward say a 1990s Honda Accordance, a model which Forbes chosen one of the most stolen vehicles of all fourth dimension.
The criminal finds an identical Accord – same year, same color, same trim level – and runs its VIN number to ensure a clean history. He then makes a fake VIN plate with the new VIN number and swaps it with the one on the stolen motorcar.
The thief acquires a fake paper title with the new VIN and his proper noun. A stolen machine tin now be sold to an unsuspecting buyer.

The next buyer will get a surprise when they endeavour to insure the car only to exist told information technology is actively insured by a different person. The victim'southward machine would be confiscated, and the victim would accept to sue the thief to recover their loss.

Avoid this scenario past running a VIN Check on whatever vehicle you plan to purchase. If the seller's name doesn't match the last registered owner of the car according to the cheque, if the name on the title is dissimilar, or if anything else seems odd to you lot,walk away.

Is information technology possible to legally create a new VIN?

Yep! There are companies that produce new 17-digit VIN numbers for many purposes including custom car edifice, homebuilt kit cars, and off-road to on-route conversions. Companies similarDirt Legal can help you get a street legal title for powersports toys – dirt bikes, ATVs, and golf carts to name a few. Click the push below to learn more.

VIN Trivia

Does Dominic Toretto's car have a VIN?

It has two.

Has a VIN ever helped solve a offense?

Yes! Countless automobile thieves, championship washing scammers, and everyday criminals are busted each year thanks to modern VIN reporting methods.

Devoted automobile enthusiasts are often tempted to violate the 25-twelvemonth import law which exists in the U.s.. In curt, this rule says that if a vehicle never passed U.s.a. safety regulations (it was never sold new in the United states of america) information technology cannot be legally imported until 25 years after its date of manufacture. Upon entering the land, a vehicle's VIN is compared to an extensive database; illegal imports are swiftly seized and destroyed.

In that last instance, the owner of an imported Nissan Skyline watched helplessly every bit their car was crushed by government for being imported illegally. That is a great reminder to always ensure things are done correctly when importing a vehicle. I suspect that person would take to sue the seller to recuperate any losses, because the government certainly isn't going to pay for it.

How do I get a VIN Check or Vehicle Accident Report?

Dirt Legal specializes in everything related to titling a vehicle.

We can obtain a new title for cars, motorcycles, and almost anything with wheels
Our VIN Checks and Vehicle Accident Reports requite you peace of listen when buying a automobile
You tin contact us with any manner of title-related issue and we will be happy to help y'all

If you lot take whatever further questions near VINs feel free to contact us using the link to a higher place. Click the buttons below to acquire more about our services.

We are non attorneys. This article is not legal communication.

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Source: https://www.dirtlegal.com/blog/vin-numbers-explained-what-they-are-and-how-they-work