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The importance of the chassis number when buying used car parts

Content

1. What is a chassis number?

2. What is VIN and FIN?

3. Why is the chassis number important?

4. How can I find out the chassis number of my vehicle?

5. Why do I need the VIN when buying used car parts for my vehicle?

Every motor vehicle today has a chassis number, thanks to which the vehicle can be identified at any time. The code, known as the vehicle identification number or VIN, is found in the vehicle documents and is also affixed to the vehicle several times.

What is a chassis number?

A chassis number is a standardised identification that is assigned separately for each motor vehicle. The number assigned by the manufacturer makes it possible to uniquely identify vehicles. In addition to information about the manufacturer, the model and the place of production, the chassis number also contains information about the installed engine or the equipment of a car.

Chassis number becomes vehicle identification number

In earlier times, when every car consisted of a chassis and a body mounted on it, the number was stamped on the chassis. Although nowadays almost every car has a self-supporting body, the term chassis number is still common. The correct and more modern term is vehicle identification number.

What is VIN and FIN?

The abbreviations FIN and VIN sometimes appear in connection with the chassis number. FIN is simply an abbreviation for the term vehicle identification number. VIN is the abbreviation for Vehicle Identification Number. This is also a chassis number.

What is the difference between VIN and FIN?

Both the term FIN and the English term VIN refer to the chassis number. However, differences arise with regard to the origin of the respective vehicle. If a vehicle was manufactured in Europe, the vehicle identification number corresponds to the valid ISO standard. If a car originated in North America, a VIN is used in a slightly different form.

Retrieve vehicle history via VIN

The VIN can be used to obtain information about the vehicle history of vehicles formerly registered in the USA. For example, whether the car was once a total loss. This is usually not possible for a vehicle registered in Germany due to the stricter data protection regulations.

Why is the chassis number important?

  • The chassis number is something like the individual fingerprint of every vehicle. With the help of this number, important information about the vehicle can be retrieved.
  • The mechanic in the workshop can enter the vehicle identification number into the computer system to obtain model year, engine and transmission data.
  • By comparing the number in the vehicle registration document with the code on the vehicle, it is easy to determine whether the papers on hand belong to the respective car.
  • The vehicle identification number is extremely helpful when buying spare parts, as the code makes it much easier to find the right parts.

How can I find out the chassis number of my vehicle?

The chassis number can be found out in various ways. The number is recorded in documents such as the vehicle registration certificate and the vehicle title as well as on the vehicle itself.

To make sure that the VIN in the vehicle’s papers also matches the number on the vehicle, it is best to check both.

  1. Check the vehicle registration document: The chassis number can be found both in the German vehicle registration document and in the vehicle title, the so-called registration certificate part II. In both documents, the vehicle identification number can be found under item “E”.
  2. On the windscreen: The chassis number is often written on or behind the windscreen. Sometimes the black border of the windscreen has a recess in the lower area through which the number is visible.
  3. Next to the passenger seat: Some manufacturers punch the VIN into the sheet metal of the body below or next to the passenger seat. There, the carpet laid in the vehicle has a recess that can be folded to the side to reveal the chassis number.
  4. Next to the driver’s door: Depending on the vehicle, the vehicle identification number can also be found on a sticker or plaque next to the driver’s door. Here, the number is usually attached to the B-pillar or the door frame, where the code can be read after opening the door.
  5. In the engine compartment: Almost all European cars have a vehicle identification number stamped in the engine compartment. Depending on the vehicle, this can be located on the bulkhead or on the strut dome. The number is visible after opening the bonnet.
  6. On the vehicle frame: Only classics or exotics still have a separate chassis or vehicle frame. If this is the case, however, the chassis number is usually also stamped directly on the supporting underframe.

Why do I need the VIN when buying used car parts for my vehicle?

When buying spare parts, the vehicle identification number is extremely helpful. The VIN is something like the vehicle’s identity card, which can be used to call up all the data on the manufacturer and vehicle model.

Thanks to the individual number with information on model year and equipment, you can select the right parts for your vehicle even without experience.

At Autoparts24, all you have to do is enter the respective VIN of the vehicle in the search mask and all matching spare parts for the vehicle model and equipment in question will be displayed.

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