How to check your VIN number

Whether you’re buying a used vehicle, selling your car, renewing your car insurance policy or curious about the history of a particular vehicle, knowing how to find and check its vehicle identification number (VIN) is essential.

Your vehicle identification number (VIN) is more than just random letters and numbers; think of it as your vehicle’s fingerprint. Below, we’ll walk you through how to find your vehicle’s VIN, how to decode it, how to check it online and what to do if something doesn’t look right.

Where to find your VIN on the car and documents

A vehicle’s VIN (vehicle identification number) is a 17-character unique identifier that is assigned to your car by its vehicle manufacturer. You may need it for insurance, registration, claims, recalls, buying or selling or checking your vehicle history. Your car’s VIN should be the same on the vehicle itself and all official documents. If it doesn’t match, that’s a red flag. Here's what you should know:

On your car: common VIN locations

There are a couple of places on your car where you’ll be able to find your VIN:

Dashboard (driver’s side)

The most common VIN location is on your vehicle’s dashboard. Look through your front windshield on your driver’s side. You should be able to see a small metal plate at the bottom of the windshield.

Driver’s side door latches

Open your driver’s side door and check the sticker on the door frame. There should be various stickers that list your tire pressure and manufacturer details.

Under the hood/engine bay

Some vehicles have the VIN located on the firewall, frame, strut tower or other metal surfaces under their hood.

Trunk or rear area

On some models, the VIN may be located under the trunk carpet, near the spare tire well or on the rear frame rail.

On paperwork

You can also find your vehicle identification number on:

• Vehicle registration or ownership papers.

• Insurance documents or pink slip.

• Bill of sale or purchase agreement.

• Service or maintenance documents.

Decode the basics: what each character means

The vehicle identification number (VIN), which consists of 17 characters that are a combination of letters and numbers, gives details about the make, model, year of production, manufacturing facility and other aspects of the car:

Characters 1 to 3: World manufacturer identifier (WMI)

The first three characters are the manufacturer and the country where the car was made.

Characters 4 to 9: Vehicle descriptor section (VDS)

Characters 4 through 9 give details about the type of vehicle, like the engine, series, body and more.

Character 10: Model year

A letter or number that represents the vehicle’s model year.

Character 11: Assembly plant

Identifies the factory where your vehicle was built.

Characters 12 to 17: Serial number

Each vehicle’s identity is represented by characters 12 through 17. Character combinations are unique to each car and no two vehicles are the same. Note that you don’t need to memorize these codes. Online VIN decoders can do this for you. Still, knowing the basics can help you identify any inconsistencies.

How to check your vehicle identification number (VIN) online in Canada (recalls, liens, vehicle history)

A vehicle’s VIN can unlock some pretty important information. While some online VIN lookup tools are free, others require you to pay. Let's take a look:

Safety recalls (free)

Manufacturers and Transport Canada offer free VIN-based recall searches, which indicate:

• Open safety recalls.

• Completed recall repairs.

• Safety notices.

This information is especially important when you’re buying a used car or before heading out on a long road trip. Note that should your vehicle have a recall, most manufacturing companies will repair the issue free of cost.

Liens and financial checks

A lien means that there is money still owed on the vehicle by the previous owner, which is a major red flag. Do not purchase a used car with an unpaid lien, as it can put you at risk of having the vehicle repossessed, even if you are the new owner. Lien checks can be done through paid third-party services or provincial registries.

Vehicle history report

A full vehicle history report can include information like:

• Accident and insurance claim history.

• Previous registrations in other provinces or countries.

• Salvage, rebuilt or non-repairable statuses.

• Odometer readings.

Ultimately, the goal and purpose of VIN decoders is to give consumers the ability to look up vehicle specs before buying it.

Verify vehicle’s VIN with paperwork

Verifying that the vehicle’s VIN matches all documents is essential when buying a used car. Here is how you can confirm a perfect match:

1. Locate the VIN on the car.

2. Confirm VIN matches the one listed on the paperwork.

3. Compare the VIN to the registration, insurance documents and the bill of sale.

4. Check every character carefully. Pay close attention to numbers and letters that look similar. For example, S and 5 or 2 and Z.

5. If there are any discrepancies, stop the process and clarify with the seller before signing paperwork or paying.

Common issues

Some common issues you need to be aware of include:

• Rebuilt or salvage titles: VIN decoders may show status like rebuilt or salvage, which affects insurance and resale value.

• Imported cars: Some cars have reissued or altered VINs. Always double-check cross-border history.

• Flood or major damage history: VIN reports may indicate flood damage or severe losses.

• Tampering signs: Look for scratched plates, uneven rivets or mismatched VINs.

Privacy and safety when sharing your VIN

Sharing a VIN is common practice and generally safe when it comes to insurance, sales and maintenance. But you should avoid posting your full VIN and personal details online. Only share your VIN with a trusted business or through secure channels.

Unsure what your VIN results mean or how it affects your coverage? Speak with a BrokerLink advisor today!

Contact BrokerLink today

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How to check your VIN number FAQs

Should I ask for the VIN if I’m buying a used vehicle?

There are many things to consider before buying a used vehicle, and the accident history of the car is one of them. You can assess the car's history with the vehicle identification number. So, make sure to ask the owner for this, as it gives you the opportunity to confirm whether the information they have provided about the car is correct.

How much is car insurance per month in Ontario?

This is a common question many motorists have. In reality, there are numerous variables that determine your insurance cost, including the make and model of your car, your driving experience, the policies you choose, your gender, age, and more. Therefore, if you're looking for customized insurance quotes, we suggest speaking with your provider directly.

What if a VIN is less than 17 characters?

If the VIN is less than 17 characters long, there is a chance the vehicle was manufactured before 1981, which can be an issue if you’re looking to purchase a vintage vehicle. However, if you are not buying an older car and the individual who is selling you the vehicle privately provides an incorrect VIN, proceed with caution, as they could be trying to deceive you into purchasing a car that has significant problems they don’t want you to know about.

If you have any questions, contact one of our local branches.