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:
A VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a 17-digit serial number that acts as a unique form of identification for an individual car. The VIN identifier is a legal protocol that was introduced to ensure manufacturer accountability and consumer safety – both financial and physical.
Because every car has a unique car info VIN, its car history can be relatively easy to trace. So, if you happen to have purchased a model that had undergone a factory recall, the manufacturer and relevant government authority can easily notify you and keep you safe.
The engine VIN is also recorded any time a car is sold, registered, insured, or undergoes repairs or modifications – and that’s where we come in. Our VIN engine code finder allows you to access the comprehensive history of a vehicle before you buy it.
Completing a VIN lookup Australia (also known as a PPSR check or REVS check) means you know exactly what you’re purchasing, so you won’t get caught out by any nasty surprises.
At CarHistory, we believe the informed buyer makes the best vehicle investment. That’s why we offer two different types of VIN lookup Australia.
For the discerning car buyer, our comprehensive CarHistory report provides a single, easily-readable report containing information like:
Combined, this information will place you in good stead to assess the risks associated with purchasing a specific used vehicle. However, if you’re feeling reasonably confident about the car you’ve been eyeing off, then our standard PPSR Certificate might be just the trick.
For a lower fee, you’ll receive a comprehensive breakdown of manufacturer specifications, a stolen car check, and a government-generated certificate verifying the current financial encumbrance status of the vehicle.
If you’re still wondering why ordering a VIN lookup Australia is so important, consider this scenario:
You purchase a second-hand car without running a single check. Unbeknownst to you, the vehicle has financial encumbrances – meaning there is money owed against the car by a previous owner.
Regardless of the fact you now own the car and have paid for it, that car can still be repossessed against the previous owner’s debt – leaving you out of pocket and without a car.
Running a simple VIN check Australia is an easy way to avoid awful – yet sadly, not uncommon – situations such as these. Having information from VIN lookup Australia is also helpful in assessing if you’re being offered a fair price for the age, authenticity, and condition of the car you’re being sold compared to similar vehicles on the market.
Having the full manufacturer specs can also help inform you as to whether the vehicle has all the core components and accessories it’s being marketed as having on the sales listing, as well as helping you to ascertain if it’s had any modifications – legal or otherwise.
To complete a VIN lookup Australia, you’ll first need to find the VIN.
You can locate the VIN near the driver’s side door latch or on a pressed metal certificate at the end of the dashboard. Alternatively, you can find it on the car’s rego certificate or sticker, insurance documentation, or under the bonnet on or near the engine.
Once you’ve found the VIN, simply pop it into the VIN check bar located at the top right and bottom of our website and click ‘Get Report’. You’ll then be asked to choose your VIN lookup report type (standard or comprehensive) and to complete the necessary payment and contact details (required for delivery of the report).
In a few short minutes, you’ll have an easy-to-read PDF report delivered straight to your inbox with the information needed to give you peace of mind so that you can make an informed decision on your vehicle purchase.
Handy tip: All modern VIN (1989 onwards) are 17 digits long and feature a mix of letters and numbers. We can only run a VIN check on a 17-digit VIN, so if the VIN you are attempting to input is missing a digit or two, you’ll need to check again before you try to run a VIN search.
If you’re trying to find car model by VIN that has less than 17 digits and was manufactured before 1989, the information available may be limited – something important to factor into your vehicle purchase risk assessment.