What does VIN stand for, and what's its purpose?

We've all heard the term, but what is a VIN number? Just for starters, VIN number is like ATM machine. VIN stands for Vehicle Identification Number (so you don't need the second `number'). Fundamentally, the VIN is a vehicle's own individual, one-off identity. No two cars in the world have the same VIN. The VIN allows authorities to accurately identify a car, usually for registration purposes, but the VIN is also frequently used by police chasing stolen cars or attempting to accurately identify a particular vehicle.

It's illegal to modify or in any other way alter a car's VIN, and it's also illegal to attempt to apply one car's VIN to another car. Cars, trucks and motorcycles all have VINs these days, and the process of issuing a distinct number to every car in the world began in the 1980s and became a law in Australia in 1989 for all new vehicles.

Distinct from an engine or chassis number (actually, replacing the traditional chassis number) the VIN on most cars is stamped into a metal part of the car's structure and is also attached to the car on a small, metal plate that is often located under the edge of the front windscreen.

Your owner's manual will have direction on how to find the VIN on your particular car.

A 17-digit number, the first three letters or numbers can be decoded to tell you where the car was built, and by whom. The next eight give a rundown of the model and trim level as well as what engine was fitted at the factory. The last six numbers will be the actual car's individual serial number (usually it's numerical place in the entire build of that make and model).

You can use online VIN decoders such as Vincoderz to do a VIN check to learn the original specification of your car. You simply type your VIN into the website and it will offer up the relevant information. Best of all, many of these VIN lookup or VIN decoder sites offer a free VIN number check.

Once you've tackled such a database, you can then break down the info to learn the specs of your car. That way, you can tackle questions such as what model is my car, really; a common question once a car is a certain age and has been modified.

The other really handy use for a VIN is that it's a great reference when you're ordering replacement or service parts. By quoting the VIN, the parts retailer will be able to cross-check the part numbers you're ordered with that number to make sure they're the right ones.