The VIN code is a unique cipher that every car has.

Why is it so important? Imagine you want to buy a car on the secondary market. It seems you've found a good option, at an affordable price, with good stated components, minimal mileage, and the seller is also kind and smiling. You close the deal, own the car, but after a while everything becomes not as good as you'd like. You start digging into the car, and it turns out the engine size is not as stated, the car was in an accident, and the mileage was rolled back. Of course, the joy of a good purchase will quickly leave you.

The VIN code will easily protect you from such purchases. In this article, the Autoportal editorial team will tell you where you can look at the car's VIN, how to decode it, and what this information can give us.

Decoding the VIN code

Car VIN code. Where to look at the VIN number. How to check a car by VIN code for free

This code was invented and put into operation back in 1977. It consists of 17 characters, each of which carries some information.

  1. 1st character - indicates the country of car manufacturer.

  2. 2nd and 3rd characters - the manufacturer company and its division,

  3. 4-8 characters - show information about the car. Namely: model, body type, trim level, engine.

  4. 9th character - check digit.

  5. 10th character - year of car manufacture.

  6. 11th character - manufacturing plant.

  7. 12-17 characters - serial number of the vehicle.

Where to look at the car's VIN code

The VIN code in a car is located in several places, namely:

  • On the engine,

  • On the steering wheel column,

  • On the left wheel,

  • On the driver's door,

  • In the insurance policy,

  • In the technical passport.

Most drivers look at the VIN code specifically on the engine.

Checking a car by VIN code

So, dear readers, now we will tell you about the most interesting part: where can you look at this or that information about a car using this very VIN code?

The first option is to contact the regional police department and submit an official request. Of course, the option is good, but it will require a lot of free time.

The second method is to use one of the many online services. Any popular site where you can place an ad for selling a car offers such a service. The service is not free. Often the cost starts from 250 hryvnias. Advantages - extended information about the car, which you receive almost instantly. Disadvantages - the cost.

The third method is the official website iGov. On this portal, you can check a car by VIN code for free. You will find out the date of car registration, engine size, year of manufacture, and car model. And by paying 45 UAH, you can find out:

  • Whether the owner has paid all fines,

  • Whether an insurance policy is present,

  • Whether the car was in an accident,

  • Whether the car was wanted.

Other advantages

Have you ever had a situation where you spend hours in an online auto parts store looking for the right part, wondering if it will fit your car? Maybe it's a mirror for a Honda Civic hatchback, but I have a sedan, what if it doesn't fit? Sound familiar? We'll make you happy - some online stores have developed product search by VIN code. You enter your car's VIN in the search box and get a list of products that will 100% fit your car.