How to Find Your Car’s Chassis Number & Decode Its Hidden Information

When buying, selling or maintaining  your vehicle, one of the most important things to never  forget would be the chassis number, also known as the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The 17 character string is a unique vehicle identification card that contains very significant information about a vehicle with regards to its origin, specifications and history. Unless it comes time to do a chassis number check, the chassis number and service records by chassis number are only minimal but important details that can uncover unknowns about a car’s history relating to accidents, ownership history and past maintenance history.

 In this guide, you will see exactly how you can find your car’s chassis number location, what each part of the information on the chassis number means, and why you should always check your chassis number as a responsible vehicle owner.

What Exactly Is a Chassis Number?

A chassis number (also known as a vehicle identification number,  or VIN) is a 17-character alphanumeric code issued by the manufacturer to every vehicle. Think of it as your car’s DNA, with everything from where and when the car was built to the engine and body type.

Here is why it matters:

• It is used for registration and confirmation of ownership.
• Allows you to run a chassis number check for stolen, tampered, or major accident involvement.
• Fetches vehicle service records using the chassis number and gives a complete overview of vehicle maintenance records.
• It is required for insurance claims, RC updates, and warranty processing .

Where to Find Your Car’s Chassis Number?

Locating your car chassis number may be easier than you think once you know what to look for. Depending on your vehicle, you can find it in several ways.

1. Dashboard (Near Windshield):

For most modern cars, you can find the chassis number displayed on  the driver-side windscreen, most often displayed on a small metal plate.

2. Driver-Side Door:

Open the driver’s door and look at the inner frame or the door sill. Many manufacturers print chassis numbers there.

3. Engine Bay:

Open the bonnet and search for the stamped metal plate on the inner fender or engine block.

4. Under the Driver-Seating /Boot Floor:

You will discover some vehicle chassis numbers under the driver’s seating mat or at the bottom of the spare wheel well in the boot.

5. Registration Certificate (RC) & Insurance Papers:

Even if you couldn’t get the chassis number physically on the car, it would still be in your RC book /card, insurance papers, and purchase invoice. 

Knowing the location of the car chassis number means that if you need to verify your chassis number or something else, you can do so quickly and easier.

Also Know: Why a Complete Car Service History Is Important for Buyers & Sellers

Why Should You Check Your Chassis Number?

Performing a chassis number check isn’t just a formality ; it protects you from potentially huge legal and financial implications:

• Ownership: To be sure the car is not stolen or has not been in litigation. 
• Accidents & Repairs history: It gives you access to the vehicle service report using the chassis number if it has been involved in any significant accident or extensive repairs. 
• Warranties: Some manufacturers will only acknowledge warranty service if the chassis number and ownership have been verified.
• Resale Value: A clean chassis report is a great sales message.

Decoding the Chassis Number: What Does It Tell You?

A chassis number is separated into sections, where the sections provide you with some key information about your car. 

• Characters 1 – 3: This is the manufacturer’s code (i.e. MAR for Maruti, HYU for Hyundai), 
• Characters 4 – 8: These characters describe the various details of the vehicle, including the model, body style or design, and engine type.
• Character 9: A security check digit, useful for tampering detection,
• Character 10: The year of manufacture, 
• Character 11: the plant location of the manufacturing
• Characters 12 to 17: The unique serial number of the vehicle.

For example ;

The following is an example chassis number : MA3EYD32S12345678.

• MA3 – Manufacturer (Maruti Suzuki, India)
• EYD32 – Model and variant information
• S – Security Check Digit
• 1 – Year of manufacture (2021)
• 2 – Plant (Gurgaon Plant)
• 345678 – Unique serial number assigned to this vehicle

This overview simply confirms that if you are checking a chassis number for verification or accessing vehicle service records using a chassis number, you are probably checking the correct car.

Also Check Vehicle Owner Details Online By Vehicle Number

Using Chassis Number to Access Vehicle Service Records

One of the most practical uses of a chassis number is retrieving vehicle service records using chassis number. This process is especially useful when purchasing a used car by:

• Confirming regular service history
• Knowing if any significant parts, like the engine or gearbox have been changed
• Finding crash repair the seller has not specified
• Proving if mileage claims are genuine by cross-checking the service logs to the odometer
• Finding outstanding recalls or manufacturer repairs that have not been done
• Providing evidence the vehicle has been maintained or not, this can be used as part of your buying price to negotiate fairly

You will find yourself doing a chassis number check and service history check before purchasing, ensuring you can purchase a vehicle with confidence in safety  and that it is a genuine vehicle that has been maintained.

Conclusion

The chassis number of your car is more than just an ID. You can gain all the background on your car and be sure it is genuine. From knowing where to locate the chassis number to completing a full chassis check, you can protect yourself from being scammed, make the correct purchase and keep the value of your car intact.

So, when buying, selling, or just maintaining your car, don’t skimp on a straight chassis number verification. One small step prevents you from having big issues later.