A car's VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is like a fingerprint. It contains valuable data that can be decoded and used to positively identify it from all the other vehicles in the world. By knowing a car's VIN you can do a VIN check to determine important events in a car's life.

Data about the car is stored by its VIN. Each title transaction and accident report is eventually filed for each vehicle in different databases by the VIN number. Services like CARFAX can provide a history of transactions that have been performed on a vehicle, as well as past and present owner information.

Cars made before 1981 had no standard format to their VIN number. Each car maker had their own formats and stored their own data in the VIN. This caused confusion and the possibility of duplication of VIN numbers. Because of this a standardization committee met and developed a new number format for all auto makers to use.

Car makers since 1981 have had a standard format for VIN information. The 17-character format stores things such as the make, model, serial number, year of manufacturer, motor size and type, and restraint systems. In order to make sure the VIN is not altered or corrupted each VIN also includes a check digit that helps validate the originality of the number itself.

By using the VIN you can derive other important data about a car, such as the interior and exterior color choices, transmission type, fuel type, and other model data. The VIN does not include what individual options were installed on a vehicle. Only the manufacturer has access to that kind of data.

A lot of car sellers are afraid of providing the VIN number for the sake of privacy. In reality this number is available to anyone walking by your car. It is very visibly displayed under your windshield at the edge of the dashboard. Any passerby can easily view the VIN.

Knowing the power of the VIN search can be an important tool for any car shopper.