A VIN isn’t random. Digits 1–3 tell you the country and manufacturer, 4–9 describe the model and body type, and 10–17 are unique to the vehicle. Always cross‑check the VIN on the dash, door jamb and rego papers. A mismatch could signal theft. Use online VIN decoders to confirm make and model; if the seller’s description doesn’t match, something’s wrong.
Our free checklist includes a quick VIN decoding guide and space to compare numbers.