Glossary

Vehicle identification number (VIN)

The unique 17-character code assigned to every modern car, used by insurers, motor vehicle agencies and history reports to identify the exact vehicle.

Also called: VIN, VIN number

A vehicle identification number (VIN) is a car's fingerprint: a 17-character code that identifies one specific vehicle. The format has been standardized in the U.S. since the 1981 model year under federal rules. VINs mix letters and numbers but never use the letters I, O or Q, which are easily confused with 1 and 0.

Each position means something. The first three characters identify the manufacturer and where it is based; characters 4 through 8 describe the model, body type, engine and restraint systems; the 9th is a check digit that catches transcription errors; the 10th shows the model year; the 11th identifies the assembly plant; and the last six are the production sequence number. You can find the VIN on the dashboard where it meets the windshield on the driver's side, on the driver's door jamb, and on your title, registration and insurance card.

Insurers use the VIN to identify the exact model and equipment, often to assign a vehicle symbol, and to list the car on your policy, so a typo can mean the wrong price or a policy that names the wrong car. Before buying a used car, run the VIN through a vehicle history report and the National Insurance Crime Bureau VINCheck, and confirm it matches on the car and the paperwork. See Run a VIN check before you buy a used car.

Last reviewed October 4, 2026

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Related terms

Vehicle history report A record compiled from a vehicle identification number showing a used car's title brands, reported accidents, odometer readings and ownership history. National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) A nonprofit funded by member insurers that investigates insurance fraud and vehicle theft, works with police and runs the free VINCheck lookup. Vehicle symbol A code insurers assign to each make, model and trim to reflect its expected claim costs, used as a rating factor in pricing. Car insurance quote An insurer's estimate of what a specific policy would cost you, based on the drivers, vehicles, coverage and discounts you describe. Salvage title A branded vehicle title issued after a car is declared a total loss, warning future buyers of serious damage; it must be rebuilt to drive legally.

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