Where Can I Find the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)?

The vehicle identification number (VIN) is composed of 17 characters (digits and capital letters) that act as a unique identifier for the vehicle. A VIN displays the car's unique features, specifications and manufacturer.

The VIN can be found in a couple of places including on the car's registration label (1), on the compliance plate in the engine bay (2) or on the passenger side windshield (3), or on one of the door posts (where the door latches when it is closed) (4). See the image below:

Look for the VIN in these other locations:

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CarHistory Report Includes:

  • Finance Owing
  • Written Off Check
  • Stolen Check
  • Vehicle Valuation
  • Odometer Check
What you might not know
1 in 6
cars have financial implications attached
Based on analysis of 12 months of Car History Data (2020)
60k
cars are reported stolen each year
Based on Car theft survey & statistics 2021 | Budget Direct
1 in 5
vehicles checked have something to hide
Based on analysis of 12 months of Car History Data (2020)
Finance
Owing
Written
Off Check
Stolen
Check
Vehicle
Valuation
Odometer
Check
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CarHistory reports can answer all the important questions so that buying a car becomes a simple, exciting and rewarding experience for you.

  • Finance Check
  • Stolen Check
  • Odometer Check
  • Written Off Check
  • Vehicle Valuation
  • Price Comparison
  • Vehicle financial liability check
  • Damages, stolen status and written off check
  • Odometer check
  • PPSR Certificate
  • Vehicle valuation and registration details
  • Sales price and odometer reading comparison
  • National view of the vehicle history
  • Previous sale information
  • ANCAP safety and emission ratings
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Could You Tell The Difference?

A comprehensive CarHistory Report could be the difference between buying a reliable car and buying a lemon

car1

Car A

2018 Sedan

  • crossFinance Owing
  • crossOdometer rolledback
  • crossWritten Off
car2

Car B

2018 Sedan

  • checkNo Finance Owing
  • checkOdometer checked
  • checkIn Perfect Condition
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What our customers say

“Almost bought a 2005 Mazda3 sedan, advertised with 88,000km. Ran a carhistory check and realised the odometer was wound back from over 200,000km”

Tim, NSW

“I’m so glad I did a full check. The car looked great but turned out to be flood damaged. Best money ever spent. Small outlay for peace of mind and saved me thousands and a nightmare”

Shane, QLD

“I went to the mechanic to get a blue slip... when they advised me that my car had been in a major, major accident I did the check and saw my car was a repairable write off - a lesson I'll only ever learn once “

Tamara, NSW

“Almost bought a 2005 Mazda3 sedan, advertised with 88,000km. Ran a carhistory check and realised the odometer was wound back from over 200,000km”

Tim, NSW
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FAQs

Your questions, answered

These are our top 5 FAQs, see the FAQ page for the full list.

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  • The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) can be found on the vehicle itself, either on the dashboard, or on one of the door posts (where the door latches when it is closed). The vehicle’s VIN is also displayed on the registration certificate and insurance policy documentation.

  • The CarHistory Report is a comprehensive report on the reported history of a used motor vehicle that has been registered in Australia. The CarHistory Report is designed to alert you to potentially significant information about a vehicle.

    A CarHistory Report includes a PPSR Certificate and depending on the information returned, the report can provide you with:

    • A PPSR Certificate - formerly REVS (which indicates if there is existing finance on the vehicle)
    • If the vehicle has suffered damage resulting in a written-off status, e.g. hail, fire, accident, flood
    • If the vehicle’s odometer reading is consistent with what has previously been reported, or if it has potentially been wound back (based on the reading you provide)
    • If the car has previously been reported as written off or stolen
    • Previous sale listings
    • Vehicle safety and emission ratings
    • What the car is expected to be worth in the current market
  • When you order a vehicle report, CarHistory’s systems immediately access several national databases to compile the report. This usually takes less than 30 seconds, however it can take up to 2 minutes. If you find it is taking too long to generate your report, your report will be emailed to the email address you provided as soon as it is ready. Your report also remains viewable online through the Customer Login section of the website for a period of 90 days after purchase.
  • You can view the reports that you have purchased over the past 30 days by logging in to the CarHistory website in the Customer Login section. Please note that reports and invoices are only accessible on the website for a period of 30 days from the date of purchase. After this period the report will expire and will be removed from the website.
  • The CarHistory Report is a comprehensive report on the reported history of a used motor vehicle that has been registered in any state or territory of Australia.The CarHistory report is designed to alert you to potentially significant information about a vehicle, and helps you to decide which vehicle to purchase.
View all FAQs
Buyers Guide

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What can a CarHistory report reveal about a used vehicle?

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What you get in a CarHistory report

Along with car history details, we also cover you with Vehicle Buyback Insurance for 3 months from the date of your report purchase, for added peace of mind (terms and conditions apply).

  • Vehicle financial liability check
  • VIN validation
  • Damages, stolen status and written off check
  • Vehicle Buyback Insurance
  • Vehicle valuation and registration details
  • Sales price and odometer reading comparison
  • Previous sale information
  • ANCAP safety and emission ratings

View report details ›

CarHistory reports can answer all the important questions

So that buying a car becomes a simple, exciting and rewarding experience for you.

Has the car been reported written off or stolen?

What is the vehicle’s sales history?

What is its rego status?

Is the odometer reading consistent?

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Hear from our customers

I’m so glad I did a full check. The car looked great but turned out to be flood damaged. Best money ever spent. Small outlay for peace of mind and saved me thousands and a nightmare.
read more
Shane - Algester QLD
I used car history to check the details of a car that looked too good to be true. And it was! It was a repaired write off that was likely to cost me serious dollars down the track. CarHistory potentially saved me thousands...
read more
Bonnie - Wooloowin QLD
Almost bought a 2005 Mazda3 sedan, advertised with 88,000km. Ran a CarHistory check and realised the odometer was wound back from over 200,000km. Thank you CarHistory for saving me the nightmare.
read more
Tim - Taree NSW
I went to the mechanic to get a blue slip... when they advised me that my car had been in a major, major accident... I did the check and saw my car was a repairable write off - a lesson I'll only ever learn once.
read more
Tamara - Lismore Heights NSW
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What you may not know

More than 1 in 4 used cars sold hide a potential issue*
Nearly 4.3mill vehicles registered on the PPSR
CarHistory is Australia’s 1st online automotive bureau
Aussies who buy a "lemon" average up to $2K out of pocket expenses^


*CarHistory Data 2016. National analysis of 166,313 car reports ordered by consumers in all Australian states and territories.
^CarHistory Consumer Research 2017. Galaxy. July 2017. n=1,001 Australian ages 18-49 years.

Top 5 FAQs

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) can be found on the vehicle itself, either on the dashboard, or on one of the door posts (where the door latches when it is closed). The vehicle’s VIN is also displayed on the registration certificate and insurance policy documentation.

The CarHistory Report is a comprehensive report on the reported history of a used motor vehicle that has been registered in Australia. The CarHistory Report is designed to alert you to potentially significant information about a vehicle.

A CarHistory Report includes a PPSR Certificate and depending on the information returned, the report can provide you with:

  • A PPSR Certificate - formerly REVS (which indicates if there is existing finance on the vehicle)
  • If the vehicle has suffered damage resulting in a written-off status, e.g. hail, fire, accident, flood
  • If the vehicle’s odometer reading is consistent with what has previously been reported, or if it has potentially been wound back (based on the reading you provide)
  • If the car has previously been reported as written off or stolen
  • Previous sale listings
  • Vehicle safety and emission ratings
  • What the car is expected to be worth in the current market
When you order a vehicle report, CarHistory’s systems immediately access several national databases to compile the report. This usually takes less than 30 seconds, however it can take up to 2 minutes. If you find it is taking too long to generate your report, your report will be emailed to the email address you provided as soon as it is ready. Your report also remains viewable online through the Customer Login section of the website for a period of 90 days after purchase.
You can view the reports that you have purchased over the past 30 days by logging in to the CarHistory website in the Customer Login section. Please note that reports and invoices are only accessible on the website for a period of 30 days from the date of purchase. After this period the report will expire and will be removed from the website.

The CarHistory Report is a comprehensive report on the reported history of a used motor vehicle that has been registered in any state or territory of Australia.The CarHistory report is designed to alert you to potentially significant information about a vehicle, and helps you to decide which vehicle to purchase.

View all FAQs ›
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