Where is the location of chassis number?
The chassis number, or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), is usually located in a few standard places on most vehicles. In many regions, you’ll find it on the dashboard near the driver’s side windshield and on the driver’s door jamb; it’s also stamped on the engine block or chassis and appears in official documents like registration and insurance papers.
Common locations on cars
On most passenger cars, the VIN is accessible from multiple locations for verification during registration, sale, or service. The following spots are the most frequently used:
- Dashboard: Look through the windshield at the lower-left corner of the driver’s side; the VIN is often visible from outside the car.
- Driver's door jamb: A sticker on the B-pillar or inside the door frame near the latch shows the VIN as part of the vehicle specification.
- Engine bay / firewall: The VIN may be stamped directly into metal on the firewall or radiator support, or placed on a metal plate attached to the frame in the engine compartment.
- Left front fender or wheel well: Some models place a VIN plate in a visible spot near the front-left wheel arch.
- Other internal chassis areas: In some designs, the VIN can be found on the crossmember or under a hood latch area; consult the owner’s manual for your exact model.
If you still can't locate the VIN, refer to the owner's manual or contact the manufacturer or a dealership for exact locations for your model.
VIN locations on documents and other sources
Beyond on-vehicle markings, your vehicle’s VIN is recorded in several official documents and can be used for verification, registration, and insurance purposes.
- Registration certificate (RC): The VIN is printed on the vehicle's registration document and is used to identify the vehicle in official records.
- Insurance certificate/policy: Your policy documents typically include the VIN to link the policy to the exact vehicle.
- Owner’s manual / service book: The VIN is often listed in the vehicle's documentation packet and may be repeated in the service booklet.
Keeping a record of the VIN in both the vehicle and your documents helps with resale, recalls, and service reminders.
What to do if the VIN is unreadable or missing
If the VIN plate is damaged, faded, or removed, do not attempt to alter the vehicle. Contact the manufacturer or an authorized dealership. You can also verify the VIN through stamped numbers in the engine bay or frame and cross-check with official documents.
Summary
In most vehicles, the chassis number (VIN) is found on the dashboard near the windshield and on the driver's door jamb, with additional stamping in the engine compartment or on a chassis plate. If markings are unreadable, consult the owner's manual, contact a dealer, or reference registration and insurance documents to confirm the VIN. Being able to locate and verify the VIN supports registration, recalls, service, and resale.
Is the chassis number the VIN?
Yes, a chassis number and a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) are the same thing; "chassis number" is simply an older or more common term for VIN. It is a unique 17-character code that identifies a specific vehicle, and it is stamped into the chassis of the car.
- VIN: This is the official and modern term for the unique code assigned to a vehicle.
- Chassis number: This term refers to the fact that the number is physically stamped into the vehicle's chassis, the frame that supports the body.
- Purpose: The VIN/chassis number serves to uniquely identify a vehicle for its entire life, providing information about its manufacturer, model, year of production, and manufacturing location.
How do I find my chassis number?
Your chassis number (also known as the Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN) is most often found on a sticker inside the driver's side door jamb or on the dashboard, visible through the windshield. Other common locations include under the hood, near the engine, on the driver's side door pillar, or on your vehicle's registration documents.
On the vehicle
- Driver's side dashboard: Look through the windshield from the outside; the VIN is often visible on the lower corner of the dashboard.
- Driver's side door: Check the door frame or the sticker on the door jamb, which is the part of the car's body where the door closes.
- Under the hood: It can be on a sticker or stamped into the metal in the engine bay, near the firewall or radiator.
- Frame rail: On trucks and heavier vehicles, it may be stamped on a visible section of the frame rail.
- Under the spare tire: It can be located in the boot under the spare wheel.
In your vehicle's documents
- Vehicle registration certificate (RC): The chassis number is printed on the registration card.
- Insurance policy documents: The VIN is listed on your auto insurance card and policy papers.
Other options
- Online accounts: If you have an account with the vehicle manufacturer, you may be able to find the VIN on their support website.
- Ask a mechanic: A mechanic can quickly locate the VIN and check for any signs of tampering.
Where are chassis numbers located?
The VIN number will be stamped into the chassis of a vehicle, usually found in the engine bay or beneath the plastic trim around the driver or passenger door opening. Car manufacturers often repeat the VIN number in other areas of the car.
What is an example of a chassis number?
For example, Chassis (Frame) Number SV30-0169266 breaks down as "V30" identifying the model as Toyota Camry/Vista x30; "S" identifying the engine (4S-FE), and "0169266" being the serial number of the vehicle. Vehicle make is not identified but slight number variations can identify the carmaker, i.e.
