GUIDE
Where to find your VIN.
The 17-character VIN is stamped on the car in a few spots and printed on your paperwork. Here's where to look.
Lower windshield, driver side
The most common spot: look through the glass at the bottom corner on the driver side, from outside the car. On a listing you are viewing, this is the one you can often read in a photo.
Driver door jamb sticker
Open the driver door and look at the B-pillar or the edge of the door. A sticker lists the VIN along with tire and weight info.
The title and registration
The VIN is printed on the vehicle title and the registration card — the paperwork the seller should have.
Insurance card or policy
If the car is insured, the VIN is on the insurance ID card and the policy documents.
Under the hood
Many makes stamp or label the VIN on the firewall or near the front of the engine bay. Locations vary by manufacturer.
Owner’s manual and service records
Dealer service records and some owner’s manuals list the VIN, which is handy when the car is not in front of you.
ONE QUICK CHECK
Make the numbers match.
Before you buy, confirm the VIN on the windshield matches the door-jamb sticker and the title. If they don't line up, walk away — mismatched VINs are a classic sign of a cloned or salvaged car. Once you have the number, decode it to confirm what the car really is and check its open recalls.
Got the VIN? Decode it free.
THE FULL BUYER'S REPORT · $3.99
Found the listing? Get the verdict.
The research above is free. The app takes a screenshot of one real listing and returns a verdict, a fair-offer number, the red flags specific to that car, a walk-away floor, and a message you can send the seller, word for word.