what does it mean to have a reissued vin on a car

Chances are yous have been asked to provide your motorcar'southward VIN number at some point. Perhaps it was to the dealership, your insurance company, or a potential buyer, but did you know there is more than to that string of characters than meets the eye? If you accept always wondered what a VIN number is or whether a VIN can be changed, or if the phrase "VIN number" is redundant, yous're about to find out.

Summary

A vehicle identification number (VIN) is a form of identification used in modern automobiles. VINs contain information virtually the vehicle'south options and manufacturing and a unique serial number. Government-maintained VIN histories include service records and information almost electric current and previous owners, merely don't worry, this data is not public record. Contrary to the rumors, it is perfectly safe to give out your VIN.

A typical automotive VIN plate. source — A typical automotive VIN plate. source

What is a VIN Number?

A vehicle identification number (VIN) is like a machine's unique DNA sequence, a form of identification used past all modern motor vehicles. It contains data most the vehicle's manufacture and country of origin including some model-specific details and the vehicle'southward unique production serial number.

The standardized length for modernistic VINs is 17 digits. This format prevents any two vehicles produced within 30 years of each other from having the same VIN number. Some vintage or obscure vehicles don't have a standard-length VIN while others have characters that don't accept a specific meaning or don't follow a specific pattern.

Is it "VIN" or "VIN Number"?

Actually, the phrase "VIN number" is redundant. That'southward because VIN stands for Vehicle Identification Number. In effect you are saying "Vehicle Identification Number Number."

What do those numbers and letters mean?

VINs are decoded through a process called VIN Decoding. Each vehicle has a unique VIN sequence and a unique decoding process. A store manual or forum should explain how to decode the VIN for your vehicle.

Where is the VIN located on my car?

For North American vehicles made in the last few decades, the VIN number can usually exist found on the driver's side dashboard about the base of operations of the windshield. The second location is the driver's side door jamb just below the door latch. For vintage vehicles, the VIN is usually on an identification plate located under the hood.

What is a "numbers matching" car?

With vintage vehicles, portions of the VIN can often be found stamped on multiple components. The phrase "numbers matching" describes a machine which bears its original serial number on its engine, transmission, body, and other components.

What is a VIN used for?

VINs are used for many purposes including sourcing parts, assigning traffic tickets, and determining the original equipment and date of manufacture for vintage cars. Insurance companies utilize VINs to necktie coverage to a specific vehicle and history reports similar Carfax are based on information fastened to a car's VIN – non the physical paper trail, the physical title, or the license plate number. That's because a car'southward VIN is permanent. Unless it has been tampered with – more on that afterward.

VIN Information and Vehicle History Reports

Who keeps rail of VINs? Who has access to VIN data?

In the United states of america, VIN records are kept past the government. VIN data tin exist accessed by your local DMV branch and a variety of other entities including vehicle history reporting companies like Carfax, organizations similar the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, law enforcement, and edge customs agencies are all granted certain access to VIN data.

Who can add to, alter, or access VIN data?

Dealerships and mechanics' shops
History reporting companies like Carfax
Organizations like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Law enforcement and customs agents

Is it prophylactic to requite my VIN number to a stranger?

Aye! Because VIN data is not public record, it is completely rubber to provide your auto's VIN to a potential buyer, be that online or in person. A VIN can but be used to obtain general data about your vehicle's service records and history. After all, whatever person could simply walk up to your motorcar and read its VIN. Fifty-fifty that poses no danger because VIN data is not public tape.

What stops someone from looking at my VIN history?

Some VIN search services have been known to provide the proper noun and address of the terminal registered possessor but using that information for nefarious purposes is against the law. Since VIN data is not public tape, abusing information technology is a criminal offense. Companies like Carfax charge a nominal fee for their services to deter would-exist scammers from using them for nefarious reasons. Some companies require proof of ownership of the vehicle before revealing whatever information.

Using VIN information to gather personal data is uncommon and illegal. To this stop, many VIN bank check websites present a version of this statement to their users:

"Alarm: You may merely conduct License Plate and VIN owner information searches to bear out one or more of the approved purposes of either the "Automobile Data Disclosure Human action", the "Motor Vehicle Data and Cost Saving Act", the "National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Prophylactic Act of 1966", the "Anti-Car Theft Act of 1992", or the "Clean Air Act", all as now or hereafter amended. By submitting this form, you attest that you are running the search for an canonical reason and yous will non share the data with anyone who is non authorized to view information technology past law."

The to a higher place quote originated from SearchQuarry.com .

VIN Tampering and Changing a VIN

Can a VIN number be changed?

In the U.s.a., it is illegal to modify a VIN except in specific circumstances of foreign vehicle importation and vintage motorcar restoration.

Unfortunately, information technology is possible to create a fraudulent VIN number and even forge a paper title. This is a good reason to run a vehicle history written report on a vehicle earlier you lot buy it.

The process of forging a VIN goes something like this:

A criminal acquires a automobile that was stolen, crashed, or otherwise devalued. Allow's say a 1990s Honda Accord, a model which Forbes called 1 of the most stolen vehicles of all time.
The criminal finds an identical Accord – same year, same color, same trim level – and runs its VIN number to ensure a clean history. He then makes a fake VIN plate with the new VIN number and swaps it with the i on the stolen car.
The thief acquires a fake paper title with the new VIN and his name. A stolen motorcar can at present be sold to an unsuspecting buyer.

The adjacent buyer will get a surprise when they try to insure the car merely to be told it is actively insured by a unlike person. The victim's car would be confiscated, and the victim would have to sue the thief to recover their loss.

Avert this scenario past running a VIN Cheque on any vehicle you plan to purchase. If the seller's name doesn't match the last registered owner of the car according to the cheque, if the name on the title is different, or if annihilation else seems odd to you,walk abroad.

Is information technology possible to legally create a new VIN?

Aye! There are companies that produce new 17-digit VIN numbers for many purposes including custom car building, homebuilt kit cars, and off-road to on-road conversions. Companies likeDirt Legal can assist you become a street legal title for powersports toys – dirt bikes, ATVs, and golf carts to proper noun a few. Click the button below to learn more than.

VIN Trivia

Does Dominic Toretto's car accept a VIN?

It has two.

Has a VIN ever helped solve a crime?

Yes! Countless machine thieves, title washing scammers, and everyday criminals are busted each yr thanks to modern VIN reporting methods.

Devoted car enthusiasts are oftentimes tempted to violate the 25-twelvemonth import law which exists in the Us. In short, this rule says that if a vehicle never passed Us safety regulations (it was never sold new in the United states of america) it cannot be legally imported until 25 years after its date of manufacture. Upon inbound the country, a vehicle'southward VIN is compared to an extensive database; illegal imports are swiftly seized and destroyed.

In that final example, the owner of an imported Nissan Skyline watched helplessly as their motorcar was crushed by authorities for being imported illegally. That is a great reminder to always ensure things are washed correctly when importing a vehicle. I suspect that person would have to sue the seller to recuperate any losses, because the regime certainly isn't going to pay for it.

How do I become a VIN Cheque or Vehicle Accident Report?

Dirt Legal specializes in everything related to titling a vehicle.

We can obtain a new championship for cars, motorcycles, and near annihilation with wheels
Our VIN Checks and Vehicle Accident Reports requite yous peace of mind when buying a car
You tin contact united states with any manner of title-related issue and we volition be happy to assist yous

If y'all have any further questions about VINs feel free to contact us using the link above. Click the buttons below to learn more than about our services.

We are non attorneys. This article is non legal advice.

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Source: https://www.dirtlegal.com/blog/vin-numbers-explained-what-they-are-and-how-they-work