How VIN Numbers Can Be Used For Car Problems and Recalls

VIN, Vehicle Identification Numbers are associated to cars, which is a unique code which includes a serial number, given to every vehicle from the automotive industry, which identifies every mopeds, scooters, motorcycle, towed vehicles, and motor vehicles. Explained in ISO 3779, which is content and structure, ISO 4030, which is location and attachment. Vehicle identification numbers first started using in 1954, and till 1981, there was no specific standard for VINs, so different numbers were used by different manufacturers.

Uses

Vehicle Identification Numbers, VIN is used to identify cars that have been written off the history or defected, and different countries have vehicle history services, which help car owners find or identify their vehicles. Other than identifying a car, VIN is used for other purposes as well. Like a VIN Decoder can also give information to people who are buying a used car. The VIN can inform the reseller whether the car has been in any big accident, or how often or when was the last time the car was inspected, the number of car owners the car has had before, or that the odometer has been flipped or it has been rolled back. All the reseller has to do is enter a VIN and go through all the history of the car on the MVR database. Commercial vehicle identification services in different countries allow checking the history of the car for a fee. People buy used cars from strangers, family or friends for a lower price than the market all the time. And for those who do not check VIN before buying a car, they might be in trouble.

VIN also help in detecting thieves of the car, as they make reselling the car difficult. When someone checks the VIN before buying the car, it shows if the car has been stolen, given the thieve hasn’t altered the info in any way. However, now it is not difficult for thieves to change the VIN of cars with other cars and dodge the police. For police, the VIN is used as a positive ID to look for the stolen car, but it is easy for thieves to dodge that too, as thieves often cover the VIN on the dashboards of the car, because they know police cannot get in the car and check it unless they have a search warrant.

Recall

AN auto recall happens when the car manufacturer deters a safety-related defect, or it does not adhere to federal safety standards. When such happens, the auto manufacturer tells the car owners of the problem, and they often offer free repair as well. Auto recalls happening all the time, while some make it to the headlines and some do not. Even on the headlines, or alert messages via email or even phone can be missed. That is why, tabs should be kept on the auto recall, which is a very simple process. To find out whether your car VIN is under auto recall, and what to do about it, here are some simple steps;

Find your VIN

Always be aware of your VIN, and keep it in mind. The VIN of your car can find in a lot of places inside your car, on the driver’s side of the windshield, lower, or on the door jamb of the driver’s side, there will be a placard with the VIN written over it. Also can be found on the vehicle’s insurance card and registration.

Check the NHTSA database

Visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s recall page, enter your vehicle’s VIN. If you see nothing come up, your car is good to go, while if you see something about an open recall comes up, move on to the third step.

Call your vehicle’s dealer

By contacting and setting up an appointment with the local dealership, you can get the recall work done simply. Some dealers might even have to tow your car if the matter is that serious, however, the recall business should get over with regardless of being that serious or not. All recall work is done at no cost, no matter how serious or minimal the recall business is.