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:
To just grab your sunnies and go for a spontaneous drive wherever the wind blows sounds like an ideal road trip. However, if you do that, you'll not only run out of clean clothes and supplies, but you could spend hours under the Australian heat in a sticky and uncomfortable car.
Choosing the right car is an important aspect of planning your road trip to ensure that you and your passengers are at ease during those long hours of driving. We've found two cars that are perfect for your road trip this summer.
Best for: family road trips or camping.
This is a spacious family wagon that can accommodate your large family or seat seven of your friends, with enough room to hold all your holiday supplies. Top Gear's review on this vehicle has found that it is "built for comfort, not speed"1.
It features a handy 12-inch display on the dash with a 7-inch touch screen for convenient navigation, useful to help you find your way in unfamiliar areas.
Top Gear also gushes about the cabin-like features, including but not limited to a calf rest for the front passenger and winged headrests to ensure maximum comfort during those long hours. If you have small kids that get restless easily, this is the car for you. They can draw and eat with the in-built tray tables to keep messiness at bay.
Another bonus of this ideal road trip car is the small carbon footprint on the environment. RACQ has given this vehicle top marks for its environmental impact and fuel consumption2 so that you know your trip won't hurt your wallet or the planet.
Best for: when you want to ensure the highest possible safety for road trips, ideal for your teenager and gives you peace of mind.
All variants of the Qashqai range have passed with the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating3. This is applicable for both the petrol and diesel models, and as a compact SUV, it'll ensure that your passengers are comfortable as well as safe.
Qashqai vehicles feature antilock brakes with dual front, side and head airbags. They also include electronic brake distribution and stability control, which all contribute to the excellent safety standards.
Nissan states that specific models feature spinal support seats with cushioned kneepads, as well as an Intelligent Park Assist system4 to help with visibility and parking, perfect for teenagers just starting to drive on their own.
Of course, if you are considering buying either a used Citroen or Nissan, make sure you get a CarHistory report first to make sure you're buying it in a good condition for optimum comfort and safety on your road trip this summer. Drive safe and enjoy your trip!
1Top Gear, Citroen Grand C4 Picasso. Accessed December, 2015.
2RACQ, Best Family Wagon. Accessed December, 2015.
3ANCAP, Nissan Qashqai. Accessed December, 2015.
4Nissan, All New Nissan Qashqai, the Ultimate Urban Experience. Accessed December, 2015.