How to Run Car Vin Numbers

The United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requires all vehicles made after 1981 to have a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The VIN is made up of 17 characters (letters and numbers) and provides the vehicle's identity from its manufacturer, model year and where it was built. Running a VIN also reveals how many owners the car has had, any damages and accidents and other vehicle information. Running a car's VIN will give you the full history of a car.

Things You'll Need

• Car
• Notepad
• Pen or pencil
• Computer with Internet connection
• Credit or debit card

Instructions

1. Look for the VIN in the lower-left corner of the dashboard. The number will be easier to read if you are outside the vehicle and looking through the windshield. Write down the 17 characters.

2. Go to AutoCheck.com or another company that specializes in vehicle-history reports and enter the VIN number.

3. Order a vehicle history report using a credit or debit card. A single report on one VIN costs about $20 in 2009.

Tips & Warnings

• If you can't find the VIN on the dashboard, check the front of the engine block, the front of the car frame, a rear wheel well, inside the driver-side doorjamb, at the driver-side doorpost or underneath the spare tire.

References

• Locate the Vehicle Identification Number
• Running Single or Multiple Reports

Resources

• Vehicle History Report
• Purchase the AutoCheck Vehicle History Report
• CARFAX