Were To Find VIN Tags & Stamps On A Vehicle

Originally Posted by RLS0812

I am writing a short guide on were Vehicle Identification Numbers can be located. If you have anything to add to this list, please post below.

VIN is almost always found here:
1: Bottom of driver's side window
2: Somewhere on the firewall
3: Inside door or center pillar
4: Somewhere on the engine block
5: On the radiator support bracket and/or somewhere on the front clip
6: At least one location on the frame ( sometimes as many as 5 spots )

VIN can sometimes be found here:
1: Somewhere in the trunk ( sometime under the carpet )
2: Next to the passenger or driver's side seat bracket ( under the carpet )
3: Inside one of the front wheel well's
4: On top of one of the rear wheel wells on some SUVs, station wagons, and mini vans
5: On the hood or trunk lid
6: Behind the license plate
7: Rarely in glove box or on the steering wheel column

Every bar coded part relates to that one particular car, all lead back to whats called a line ticket. The ECM will also have the VIN encoded internally and this cannot be scrubbed.

My wife was actually a trained DMV level one inspector so she could verify VIN numbers on cars the tow company she worked for would impound. When it came time to apply for an abandoned title they had to be sure the numbers they submitted were accurate. They would have to pull wheels on some to see the VIN on the frame. They would find numbers under trunk mats stamped along the edge.There is a manual that tells all the places manufacturers put the numbers. I once had a 90's Corvette that had the driver's door replaced. I bought it from an out of state seller. It had a VIN tag on the door but so did the car itself that did not match. The DMV fought me on it so I went to the parking lot of the place and ripped off the VIN tag on the door. Went back to the level one line. No problem after removing the other tag but they could not do it for me. She once traced the numbers on an old 60's Harley I really wanted to buy from the place. They had to disassemble the forks near where it mounts to find the actual frame VIN. The engine was found to be stolen. So was the frame. Oh well. I did hear the frame and engine went to the PD impound yard. That was in mid 2011. According to the officers she deals with the old Harley is still sitting there out in the elements. What a waste.

Originally Posted by alloy2

Every bar coded part relates to that one particular car, all lead back to whats called a line ticket. The ECM will also have the VIN encoded internally and this cannot be scrubbed.