How to Do a Car VIN Search

By finding the VIN (vehicle identification number) on the dashboard or engine compartment of a car, you can reference this serial number to obtain critical information about the history of the vehicle. Write the number down, enter it into one of many online search websites and find out whether your car has ever been in an accident, or whether any of the information you have received is inaccurate or fraudulent.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• VIN (vehicle identification number)
• Ruler
• Graph paper

1. Do a car VIN search by finding the VIN plate, which is usually located on the dashboard in front of the steering wheel, close to the windshield. Note that you should be able to record the VIN accurately without getting into the car by peering down through the windshield. The VIN plate should be silver, roughly 3 to 5 inches in length and around 1 inch in height.

2. Record the VIN number from the plate using the graph paper and ruler to reduce errors. Double-check the VIN once you have written it down to ensure that it has been copied correctly. Note the presence of a bar code, which is used to verify the validity of the VIN plate and to discourage counterfeit serial numbers.

3. Look for other VIN plates in different locations on the vehicle when you do a car search. You may be able to find additional VIN plates inside the engine compartment, in the door wells or even in the trunk. Ensure that these VINs match up with the plate on the dashboard in order to discount fraud.

4. Bring the VIN to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) where the car is registered. The DMV should be able to provide you with a detailed history of the car, including the name of all owners, information about whether the car has been in an accident or whether the car has been involved in any sort of fraudulent activity in the past. Your DMV will probably charge you a nominal fee for the search, depending upon where you live.

5. Use online resources, such as DMV.org, to do a car VIN search.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a ruler and graph paper to ensure that you have written down the 17-character VIN accurately.
• Never try to remove the VIN plate from the dashboard of the car in question, since it may look like you have tampered with it.

Resources

• DMV.org to do a car VIN search.