How to Access Your Car’s Service Records Using VIN Number

When it comes to determining the actual state of a vehicle, nothing speaks louder than its service history. Whether you’re buying a used car, or simply keeping track of your own vehicle, the most reliable source of accurate maintenance information is the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Each vehicle has a unique 17-character VIN that serves as its identity, and can be linked to its entire service and repair history.

In this guide, you will learn where to find your VIN, how to find vehicle history by VIN, and why every car owner should run a proper VIN verification.

Why Use a VIN for Service Records?

VINs are different from registration numbers that can sometimes be manipulated. The VIN is aligned to the vehicle itself; it cannot be changed . Performing a VIN number check in India, you can:

• Confirm that the maintenance was performed as specified
• Determine if important repairs like engine or transmission replacements have been done
• Confirm repairs related to accidents or parts replaced via insurance process
• Discern improper mileage recorded in odometer as you will have historical mileage from service logs and Connected Car tech
• Know about any open manufacturer recalls or any repairs not completed
• Confirm that the vehicle had proper care taken of it ; important for buyer and seller

Where Can You Find the VIN?

Any time you plan to look into your car’s service history, you’d first want to locate its VIN. You can often find the VIN in these common places: 

• Driver’s side dashboard by the windshield : can be seen through the glass. 
• Driver’s side door frame or door sill : on a printed metal plate or sticker. 
• Under hood or inner fender on the frame : through stamping, embossed the chassis area. 
• With official documents : RC book, insurance documents, or the purchase invoice. 

Once you possess this number, you can begin a VIN check, with reputable information about your car’s history.

Know More: Don’t Get Fooled! Easy Ways to Spot Odometer Tampering in Used Cars

How to Access Vehicle History by VIN in India?

After you have your VIN, there are multiple ways to access the complete vehicle history:

1. Manufacturer and Authorised Dealers

Car manufacturers compile all vehicles they manufacture into a centralized record. When you share your VIN to an authorised dealer, they can provide you with information such as:

• Service history and completed maintenance
• Parts that have been replaced on a previous visit
• Recalls or technical upgrades that have been performed

Some manufacturers have also made the process easier by providing online portals which allow you to access this information and complete the VIN look-up yourself.

2. Government Portals

Websites like VAHAN in India allow you to run a VIN number check in India to see the registration, ownership, and some service-related data.

3. Third-Party Vehicle History Platforms 

Some reliable Apps and platforms like CarInfo make it extremely easy to generate a vehicle history by VIN that produces a detailed report, containing:

• Accident history and insurance claims
• Previous owners
• Loan and hypothecation status
• Odometer readings which can help to check for accurate odometer readings

Reports such as these paint a fairly complete picture of the vehicle’s history in one condensed report.

Why VIN Verification is Crucial Before Buying a Used Car?

If you’re considering buying a used car, skipping  VIN verification could create problems down the road. Without the inspection, you could unknowingly buy a:

• Stolen or Cloned Vehicle: Criminals frequently alter ownership records but can’t change the VIN.
• Accident-Damaged Car: If you check a vehicle’s history, you can potentially find the same costly damage since those damages have to be reported. 
• Odometer-Tampered Car: Erroneous mileage numbers can corrupt the car’s fair market value. 
• Vehicle with Unresolved Recalls: Open recalls for recalls can also be a serious safety issue.

A whole VIN check in India will reveal if you are paying a fair price for a genuine vehicle that is fit for the road.

Check: How to Check a Vehicle’s Past Ownership and Service Records

Tips to Keep Your VIN Safe and Accessible

The VIN is like your car’s fingerprint, so it’s vital to do your best to secure your VIN, but you want it to be accessible when you need it. Here are some suggestions: 

• Keep a digital copy: Keep a photo or scanned copy of your RC or insurance documents that contain your VIN.
• Don’t disclose it publicly: Do not disclose your VIN publicly or online on social media or other platforms as this may lead to misuse by others.
• Do a check up from time to time: We recommend doing this VIN number check from time to time to verify any fraud associated with your car.
• Use a trustworthy platform: Use only official portals, maker websites or reputable apps like CarInfo to decode VIN details or get service history and other details.

Conclusion 

Your vehicle has a VIN, or vehicle identification number, and it is so much more than a string of numbers, it’s a door into the history of your vehicle. After you locate your VIN and complete a full vehicle history by VIN, you will gain transparency, avoid fraud, and be able to make more informed decisions as a buyer, seller, or responsible vehicle owner.

So before making that big purchase, or selling your vehicle, always remember this simple principle and complete your proper VIN verification. This small step takes a little time but could lead to peace of mind and financial stability for the long haul!