There are literally millions of cars on the road today with thousands of different makes and models tooling around the streets and highways of America. While cars may come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors, many cars look exactly alike, the truth is—no two vehicles are exactly alike.

The one thing that all cars in America have in common is the very thing that makes them so different from one another. It’s the Vehicle Identification Number or “VIN number” that will ultimately tell the major differences between two vehicles that may look alike to the untrained eye. Each VIN number tells a story, but many decades ago the VIN number served only one simple purpose.

VINs Pre-1950

Before 1950, VIN numbers were only used for serialization and unlike today, they were not required. During this time, the first few characters of the VIN number typically identified the make and model of the vehicle and the remaining characters usually identified the model year. Some, but very few manufacturers assigned characters for the assembly plant and number of cylinders the engine had.

1950-1980: The Increasing Importance of VINs

Around 1950, all American car manufacturers began stamping VIN numbers on their cars and parts. The original intent was to assign each new vehicle a number that would offer an accurate description of a vehicle during a time when automobile production was on the rise. Over the next several decades, VIN information began to increase. As time passed, not only did the VIN number contain corresponding characters for year, make, and model, but it also became “standard” for the VIN number to include body style, engine, and assembly plant. During this time an automobile’s “Body Plate” could also include codes for body type, build date, paint, price class, rear end, transmission, and trim, to name a few.

1980-Present Day: The 17-Character Standard

From 1980 up until today, the VIN number has been defined as a 17-character alphanumeric identifier. In 1980, a rule was put into effect by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (U.S. Department of Transports) that required all new vehicles sold in the United States have a 17-character VIN. Today we have a fixed VIN system for all major vehicle manufacturers, including motor vehicles, trailers, motorcycles, and mopeds. There are no exceptions to this rule.

This 17-character code has become a standard around the world and it has also become more than just an identifier. The VIN number can also help to uncover a vehicle’s history before purchasing. Remember, two cars may look the same, but one may have a few skeletons in the closet.

What A VIN Tells You

By using the VIN to order a vehicle history report, you can find out whether a car has been reported stolen or wrecked and you can also find out if there are any recalls on it, if there is any reported flood damage or even if the odometer has been tampered with. VIN numbers are used for title and registration purposes, so it also holds important registration records. These records detail how the car was used in the past—was it used for police business? As a taxi? In a fleet? The VIN number can also help to reveal whether or not a car was salvaged or rebuilt.

Where to Find Your VIN

In earlier years, the serial or VIN number could typically be found in one or two obvious places. This is not the case today. Today, the VIN number has many different locations including but not limited to the following locations:

• Dash by windshield
• Driver’s door or post
• Firewall of the vehicle
• Left-hand inner wheel arch
• Steering column
• Component parts
• Radiator support bracket
• Machined pad engine pad.