Have you ever seen a movie or TV show where a teenager tries to use a fake ID to buy alcohol from a store? Most of the time, the cashier will check the ID, notice it’s fake, call the police, and the teenager faces consequences. This is similar to auto dealers trying to sell vehicles with fake VIN numbers.
Since 2008, Big Valley Auto Auction has had thousands of vehicles run through our gates. We scan every VIN number on our vehicles, but there have been instances where dealers try to pass vehicles into our lot with an altered VIN number.
In this article, you’re going to learn what a VIN number is, where it is located on the vehicle, and how you can tell if the VIN number has been altered.
After reading this article, you’ll have the information needed to help identify a fake VIN number, in the event you come across one in your lot.
What is a VIN Number?
A Vehicle Identification Number, (VIN), is a unique code given to a vehicle when it's built. It is a 17-digit code, made up of capital letters and numbers, that identifies a vehicle.
This is like your state ID. It is a card that verifies your identity. This is what a VIN number is to a car. A VIN number is the car.
Where Can I Find the VIN Number on a Vehicle?
You can find a vehicle’s VIN number on the dashboard of the vehicle, near the windshield on the driver’s side. It can also be found in other areas, such as the door or B pillar on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
How Can I Tell if a VIN Number Has Been Altered?
There are 3 things you should check in order to tell if a vehicle's VIN number is authentic or if it has been altered.
- Information when scanned
- Material
- Color
Information When Scanned
When you scan a VIN number, the car’s information will show up. If the information does not match the vehicle, the number is invalid. The information must match the vehicle.
Material
A VIN number can be a metal plate or a sticker. A legitimate VIN plate will not be wrinkled or scratched.
Color
Depending on the manufacturer, a VIN number plate will be a designated color.
Do I Know How to Identify an Altered VIN Number?
Just as a store cashier can get in trouble for selling alcohol to a teenager with a fake ID, auto auctions and dealers could face consequences for selling vehicles with altered VIN numbers. It’s always important to verify the VIN’s information when scanned, check the material it's made of, and confirm the plate color matches the correct manufacturer. Knowing this information will help you identify an altered VIN number on a vehicle and avoid this issue.
Whether this is your first time encountering this situation or you just want to be aware of this issue ahead of time, you can use this article to keep you informed and to help protect you from selling vehicles with an altered VIN number.
If you want to buy vehicles that have had their VIN numbers verified, click the button below to speak with our dealer registration specialist to get you registered with Big Valley Auto Auction.
Not ready to talk? That’s okay! First, learn more about what it’s like to buy and sell at Big Valley Auto Auction by clicking the image below:
