When buying a used car, you always want to have the right information at hand. The first thing you need to know before you start shopping is the vehicle’s history and VIN number. The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a 17-digit alphanumeric number on all new vehicles. It identifies the vehicle to any government agency or other body involved in record keeping. Each manufacturer usually assigns a different number to the vehicle, such as VIN1 on a Ford vehicle.
Use a Ford VIN lookup to distinguish between “model year” and “calendar year” as they refer to the vehicle’s mileage. “Model Year” is the actual year of manufacture of the new model. This is typically the year on a tag, door panel, or plaque. The “calendar year” is based on when the manufacturer first released the vehicle and is not associated with any change in the “model year”. This review will teach you how to use the Ford VIN correctly.
How To Learn To Read The VIN Code?
The VIN code consists of 17 characters, reflecting the year of manufacture, information about the car, and the manufacturer. The VIN number assigned at the factory cannot be changed during the vehicle’s entire life, unlike the rights that are reissued in case of a change in the place of registration of the vehicle. The source code must not contain:
- Symbols of different depths;
- Font differences, extra elements, or strokes;
- Welds;
- Traces of mechanical impact;
- Changing the thickness of the panel or outer coating;
- The difference between displaying code on the outside and the back;
- Differences between panel coverage and nearby areas.
Where Is The Ford VIN Located?
To check the authenticity of the code, you need to look carefully at the marking panel. But for this, you need to know where it is. For use, non-removable parts of the body are used, which are maximally protected from damage in the event of an accident. In modern models, the A-pillar is chosen as such a place on the left side. The code is also present on the left side of the top of the cab front panel. The VIN code is duplicated on a special plate that is attached to the front of the car.
What Is A VIN Made Up Of?
The identification number consists of 3 parts:
- WMI sign. Identification of world manufacturers (World Manufacturers Identification) — symbols inform about the manufacturer;
- 6 characters VDS. Description of the vehicle (Vehicle Description Section) — information about the vehicle. In many models, except for Japanese and some European ones, the last digit usually serves as a control, a kind of protection against illegal interruption;
- 8 VIS signs. Vehicle Identification Section — the code contains additional data about the car, for example, about the plant where the car was made or about the year of its release.
Benefits Of Using A VIN When Buying A Ford
Thanks to the VIN code, it is easy to find out such important information about the car as:
- Have they been restored, how many updates, etc.;
- How many resales and details of transactions;
- What repairs have been made?
- Participation in accidents;
- Odometer reading;
- Methods of work — taxi, carsharing, leasing.
These features help reduce the risk of buying a broken car or a car with a questionable past.
