Search Car by VIN Number

If you want to search a vehicle by VIN, you might be disappointed to learn that there is no direct way to get its real-time location unless it has a GPS tracking device installed. That doesn’t mean that the VIN is useless for finding out where the vehicle is or has been, however. It can reveal a lot of valuable information about the vehicle's location history, for example, where the vehicle was registered, auctioned, or previously repaired.

What is a Car Locator?

It’s a service that enables you to track the location of a car using its VIN. It collects data from various sources, such as auto repair shops, insurance companies, government agencies, or even law enforcement.

If the car was stolen, you can even find out where the incident took place and when it was last spotted. So, this service is useful for spotting stolen units, verifying the vehicle’s history, or determining the risks it may have been exposed to based on its prior locations.

Where is VIN Located?

If you need to find a car by VIN, you first have to get its vehicle identification number. It’s unique for every vehicle and will be found in different locations depending on the type and model. The two main placements are:

• On the driver's side dashboard, near the windshield. You can see it from outside the vehicle;
• On the driver's side door jamb, where the door latches when it is closed.

However, these placements may vary depending on the model. Some other possible locations are:

• Steering column, under the hood;
• Frame or chassis, under the vehicle;
• Engine block, near the front of the vehicle;
• Firewall, between the engine and the passenger compartment.

Other vehicle types, such as motorcycles, RVs, trailers, etc., have VINs, too. However, their locations may differ. For these vehicles, it’s better to refer to the owner's manual or service manual for the exact location. You don't need a hard copy of the manual, as you can easily find a soft copy PDF version on the web.

What Information can a Car Locator Provide?

So, what information can you get from decoding the VIN alone? Well, there is not much you can get from the VIN itself, except the location of the original plant of manufacture. Now, you need a history report for more details on the location.

It can provide you with an account of the ownership changes, showing the different states where the unit was registered. It's then possible to then use this information to try to determine how the automobile was used and the risks it may have been exposed to such as fire damage, flooding, etc.

You can also spot discrepancies in the title. Other than that, the vehicle locator can also give you the date, place where the vehicle was seen, and the source of information if the vehicle was ever reported as stolen.

Examples

The VIN Check report can provide different types of information about a vehicle's prior location from its history, such as:

• Theft & Recovery Records: These records show if the vehicle was ever reported stolen or recovered by law enforcement agencies or insurance companies. They also indicate the date, location, and status of the theft or recovery.
• Registration History/Title Records: The entries reveal the state of title of the vehicle, which indicates who owns the vehicle and if there are any liens or loans on it. You will also determine the date, location, and mileage of each registration or title change.
• Sales Records: You can learn how much the vehicle was listed for sale, who was the seller, and where the seller was located. The report also includes the date and location of each reported sales transaction.
• Junk/Salvage/Insurance Records: The entry reveals if the vehicle was ever declared as junk, salvage, or total loss by an insurance company or a junkyard. You’ll also see the reporting entity and their location with a phone number, as well as the location and reason for the title declaration.

When is Vehicle Tracking Helpful?

Tracking a Stolen Car

VIN vehicle tracking can help you find your car if it has been stolen or misplaced. However, a VIN doesn’t allow you to track your car in real time, as it is not connected to any GPS or cellular network. You can only use the VIN to check the vehicle’s records and see if it has been reported as stolen or recovered by the authorities.

Another way to track a stolen unit is by using Bluetooth technology. If your car has a Bluetooth device installed, such as a stereo system or a tracker, you can use your smartphone or another Bluetooth-enabled device to locate it within a certain range.

Now, this method has drawbacks, such as limited battery life, interference from other devices, and dependence on the thief’s actions. For example, if the thief turns off the Bluetooth device or moves the car out of the Bluetooth range, you will not be able to track it anymore.

So, while VIN vehicle tracking and Bluetooth tracking are useful tools for finding a stolen vehicle, they are not foolproof or reliable. You should always report to the police and your insurance company as soon as possible, and follow their instructions. Similarly, consider installing other security features, such as an alarm system, a steering wheel lock, or a GPS tracker, to discourage theft and increase your chances of recovery.

Buying a Second-Hand Vehicle

By using the VIN, you can check the sale history and see how many owners the unit has had, how often it has been serviced, and whether it has been involved in any accidents or repairs. It's vital information that you should know before buying a used car, as it can affect the unit's performance, reliability, and value. Trying to locate a car by VIN number can help you avoid buying a car that has hidden problems or defects, and ensure that you get a fair deal.

Finding Out When the Car was Towed

You can also find a towed car by VIN number. The VIN Check Locator report can reveal when the car was towed and why. The report includes a section on “Lien/Impound/Export Records”, which shows if the car has any outstanding liens if it was impounded by the authorities, or if it was exported to another country.

These records can indicate when the vehicle was towed and provide more details about the circumstances of the towing. For example, you may see if the vehicle was towed due to unpaid parking tickets, mechanical problems, or involvement in a crime. The information will help you avoid buying a unit that has a troubled history or hidden issues.

What Vehicles can be Checked?

You can check various types of vehicles, such as:

• RVs, trailers, and motorhomes;
• Motorbikes;
• Commercial vehicles;
• All-terrain vehicles;
• Coaches.

Can I Track a Car in Real Time?

The VIN is not like a GPS device that can tell you where a car is right now. So, it's not easy to track a car by VIN and get a precise location. Still, you get to find out about the car's past locations, with useful details of where previous owners were located, or where they had the car fixed. This may help you figure out who to contact and how to go about getting your automobile back if it's lost or stolen.

Is Searching Cars by VIN Legal?

Of course! It's totally legal to locate a car by VIN number as long as the service respects the privacy of the people and follows all the relevant laws and rules, like the Driver's Privacy Protection Act. You won't get any personal details about the driver or owner from our service, just information about the vehicle and where it is.

Conclusion

VIN Check is the ultimate tool for locating any vehicle's history, condition, and value. Whether you are buying or selling a car, truck, motorcycle, or RV, you need to know what you are getting into.

Our VIN check will help you avoid scams, frauds, and lemon deals by providing you with comprehensive and accurate information from reliable sources. You can search a vehicle by VIN from any device, anytime, anywhere, and get instant results.

Don't take any chances with your hard-earned money and time. Find the location today and learn the history of your car!