It’s true, every vehicle is unique
A unique, unmistakable number is assigned to every vehicle, similar to your account number. Both your account number and your vehicle’s VIN are assigned to your account, and only to your vehicle.
If you make a bank transfer and someone else’s account is debited instead of your own, that’s okay, but only until you end up in the opposite situation, so an identification isn’t optional.
By using this number, the vehicle can now be identified beyond any doubt. According to ISO standard 3779, this vehicle identification number is called a VIN for Vehicle Identification Number in the EU. Despite strict regulations, the VIN cannot be confused. Americans have a slightly stricter system, but it is definitely in line with ISO 3779. In order to avoid confusion with the numbers 0 and 1, the letters I, O, and Q are not allowed. This could be used as an example by another system.
VIN – safe and unique
Could you please tell me where this VIN is now? Traditionally, the VIN was called the chassis number because it is incorporated into the chassis of the vehicle. Your vehicle registration document still contains the VIN. It should sometimes be more difficult for criminals to disguise the vehicles on the black market when the number is built into the bodywork of the vehicle. This serves the purpose of unambiguous identification. Embraced by inveterate criminals, this is the place to be. Therefore, special procedures and great effort are required in order to work the numbers into the vehicle frames.
In addition, the VIN identifies your car as unique based on a variety of information about it. The ID number of the vehicle can be read as well as the make, year of appearance, place of production, and serial number of the vehicle.
Identification must be unique
A unique VIN is required for every vehicle manufactured in Germany, which is also registered with the Central Vehicle Register. Is there any secret information contained in the VIN? A VIN always consists of 17 digits as a way of storing information.
Let’s take this for an example:
WDD 207348 2F143 XXX
- The World Manufacturer Code (WMC) is represented by the digits 1 to 3. In our example, the “W” stands for Germany, and the DD stands for Mercedes. DB and DC are also possible digits for Mercedes.
BMW’s WMC usually has a “B” as a second digit, e.g. WBA. - There are four to nine digits in the Vehicle Descriptor Selection (VDS). As an example, we will use 207 348. A 207 refers to a model 207.348, as implied by the name.
Numbers or letters are filled in with unused characters according to the manufacturer’s preference. Audi and VW use the ZZZ character to mark unused characters. - In our example, the digits 10 through 17 are known as the Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS).
- Model year codes are determined by ISO 3779-1983 and correspond to the 10th digit, but be careful, since the manufacturing year does not necessarily correspond to the model year code.
- The 11th digit certifies the manufacturer.
- It is true for all WMIs whose 3rd digit ends with 9 that digits 12-14 correspond to consecutive numbering, but this is not true for WMIs with a second part.
- Other than that, the remaining digits represent consecutive numbering up to 17.
There are some useful tools on the Internet that decode the VIN, and give you the information in a human-readable format. Your brain is smoking, obviously, but there is no problem since there are some tools on the Internet that decode the VIN for you.
Online decoding – it’s simple
The vast expanses of the Internet are full of free VIN decoders such as EpicVin. This website is easy to use and the way they work is relatively straightforward. See the legend on the back of your vehicle registration document for your VIN, which can be found on your vehicle documents as described above. The VIN code on an automobile is similar to a person’s fingerprint – no two combinations are alike. In addition, a vehicle history report can tell you if a particular car has been involved in traffic accidents, has been taken into custody or pledged, has been listed as stolen, or has been used as a taxi. A VIN decoder can display this information, as well as the manufacturer’s date and year of manufacture. It is easy and convenient to decode your vehicle’s VIN with Epicvin VIN decoder service, and you can get information about the vehicle quickly.
