The VIN number, or a vehicle identification number, is a unique number that is assigned to each vehicle that comes out of a factory. It is basically like a fingerprint to identify a specific vehicle. Did you know that you can identify your car value by VIN?

VIN numbers used to just be serial numbers You could tell the sequence in which a vehicle was produced just by looking at the VIN. The problem was that the VINs were inconsistent, and they often were the same between manufacturers. So this made for a lot of confusion when people wanted to identify a certain car.

The next step in VIN evolution was when manufacturers began putting other information into the VIN. This included the manufacturer code, year, and model number. This was great because it made it simpler for people to connect individual vehicles to a certain number. Owners and manufacturers started to use VIN numbers more and more.

Still, the system had some problems. There was no regulation of how VIN numbers were created and assigned, and there was still the problem of overlap between numbers and manufacturers. The then-current system stopped anyone from being able to look at a VIN alone and being able to definitely identify a car just by that number.

As time went on, VIN numbers became more and more standardized, and they could only be assigned to one vehicle. There was no longer the possibility of overlap, which eliminated a significant amount of confusion. The 17-character VIN was created in 1981, and it has been in use ever since. Parts manufacturers, law enforcement, owners, and more entities use VINs to trace, track, and positively identify vehicles.

VINs are printed in more than one place on the vehicle, including the frame. This makes it easier to identify the vehicle in case it is damaged severely, such as in an accident or by fire.

When you’re purchasing a classic or custom vehicle, you want to know the VIN of the vehicle you’re considering. You can get a report that tells you about any accidents the vehicle may have been in, and you may be able to track its maintenance with a certain mechanic.

An appraiser can tell a lot about your vehicle from your vehicle’s VIN, and they can use that information to help them determine its value. The VIN is full of information that can help them assign a accurate market value to the vehicle. So call your local appraiser to determine your car value by VIN so that you can get the right insurance coverage or make sure that the vehicle that you want to buy is worth the money that is being asked for it.