What is a VIN?
Your VIN, also called the chassis number, is how we make sure a part fits your exact car. Here is what it is and where to find it.
What a VIN is
VIN stands for Vehicle Identification Number. It is a code of 17 letters and numbers that belongs to one car only, like a fingerprint. Many people call it the chassis number. On most modern cars, they are the same thing.
Why we ask for it
Two cars of the same make and model can need different parts, depending on the year, engine, trim and the factory that built them. The VIN tells us exactly which car yours is, so we can match the genuine OEM part to it and avoid ordering the wrong one.
What the 17 characters mean
- Characters 1 to 3: who made the car and where.
- Characters 4 to 8: details of the car, such as model and engine.
- Character 9: a check character that helps catch mistakes.
- Character 10: the model year.
- Character 11: the factory that built it.
- Characters 12 to 17: the serial number of your car.
You do not need to understand the code. You only need to copy it correctly.
Find your VIN
Pick a place to look. If one spot does not show it, try the next.
Letters I, O and Q are never used in a VIN, so “0” is a zero and “1” is a one.
Tips for copying it right
- Take a clear photo of the VIN, then read from the photo. It is easier than reading it while bending over the car.
- Copy it character by character. One wrong character means the app will not accept it, or we may match the wrong car.
- The app asks for exactly 17 characters. If yours is shorter or longer, check that you have not missed or added a character.
If you cannot find a 17-character VIN
Some older cars, including some imported from Japan, only show a shorter chassis number on the plate. If that is all you can find, message us on WhatsApp with a photo of it, plus your car’s make, model and year, and we will help you from there.
Cannot find your VIN?
Send us a photo on WhatsApp and we will help you read it.