Will my VIN number tell me what engine I have?

You know your car’s make, model and registration, but what if you need more specific details, like its engine type?

Knowing what sort of engine your car has can make it easier to find the parts you need to keep it running at its best. It’s also interesting to see how much horsepower and torque its capable of, as individual engines can vary from the figures quoted by the manufacturer.

To find your car’s engine type, you’ll need its vehicle identification number (VIN). In this guide, we tell you where to find the VIN on your car, what the number means, and how you can decode it to find out more about your vehicle.

What is a VIN and What Can It Tell You About Your Car?

All cars registered in the UK have a unique vehicle identification number. This acts like a fingerprint, carrying specific details about the vehicle, and no two VINs are the same.

VIN numbers were introduced in 1983 and are used globally as a means of identifying a vehicle. The number is 17 digits long, made up of numbers and letters, and consists of three specific parts which give information about the car.

Here, we look at what a VIN number can tell you about your car.

• The first three digits represent the world manufacturer identifier (WMI). This shows who the car was built by, e.g. Volkswagen. WMI numbers are the same across the world.
• The next six digits represent the vehicle descriptor section (VDS). This gives a description of the model as designated by the manufacturer, e.g. Volkswagen Golf.
• The final eight characters make up the vehicle identifier section (VIS). This gives details about the individual vehicle, including the year it was built, where it was built, and info on different engine types and trim options.

Together, these three universal identifier codes detail the blueprint of any vehicle, and can help you out specific information about your car – great if you need to find its engine type.

How to Find Your Car’s VIN

On many cars, the VIN is located on the dashboard directly beneath the windscreen and can be seen from outside the vehicle. The number is almost always on the front passenger’s side, at the point where the bottom of the windscreen meets the dash.

Not there? Check the driver’s side door pillar, the second most common place to find the VIN. Remember – you’re looking for a 17-digit number, made up of numbers and letters, which is usually stamped on a small strip of metal.

If you struggle to find the VIN, other places to look include the bulkhead under the bonnet or the chassis beneath the car. Failing that, you may find the VIN stamped in the owner’s manual or on a current or previous car insurance policy.

Still can’t find the number? Try searching for where to find your car’s VIN, as people often share this kind of info on car forums. Or, you could always call the manufacturer and see if they can shed any light on your search.

How to Decode a VIN

It’s all well and good knowing what a VIN is and where to find it, but it’s still just a random jumble of letters and numbers. To find out what your VIN actually means and what it can reveal about your car, you’ll need to decode it.

Luckily, decoding a VIN is easy and requires no specialist knowledge. All you need to do is make a note of all 17 digits of your car’s VIN, and head to any of VIN decoding services now available online.

Most VIN decoding sites offer information about your car for free, while others may charge extra for a detailed report about your engine’s spec and whether it’s ever been damaged or stolen. One of our favourite decoding services is Vin-Info, which offers technical specs as well as the option to buy a more detailed report about your car.

If you’d prefer to find a different service, remember to type ‘VIN decoder UK’ into a search engine. While VIN numbers are international, we think it’s better to use a UK-based service for the most accurate info about your car.

When You Might Need the VIN Number

Most drivers don’t know their car’s VIN number, or even where to find it, but it is actually a really useful tool to help you find out more about your car – or one you’re thinking of buying.

Here, we look at when it might be handy to have the VIN number to hand:

• Finding engine parts – If you want to keep your car’s engine in the very best condition, the VIN number can help you find parts that are built specifically for that type of engine. Using just the make, model and registration can work, but the VIN will ensure you get the part that offers the best compatibility and performance.
• Checking performance specs – From capacity to max torque, the VIN offers figures on your car’s individual performance – great for those passionate about knowing the ins and outs of their car.
• Buying a used car – Before you shake the dealer’s hand, make a note of the car’s VIN, go home, and check it. As we mentioned, you can find a lot of information about a car’s history using the VIN, so you can be sure the car you buy hasn’t been damaged, stolen or had its engine replaced.

Head to the Redex blog for more motoring guides and tips or take a look at our main homepage to find out about our fuel additive products.

You may never need to locate or identify an engine number, but it’s one of the key pieces of information to confirm the bonafides of a car.

The engine number is often cross-checked with the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) when registering or insuring a motor vehicle.

In Australia, the VIN and engine number are listed on registration papers.

Engine numbers were originally created as a serial number.

Before the modern era, it was common for cars to need replacement engines, or rebuilt engines.

It is an exhaustive process to update a vehicle’s engine number with the relevant roads and traffic authorities, but it is possible.

These days, engine numbers are primarily used to identify stolen cars and/or engines.

On modern cars, engine numbers are paired to VINs to help manufacturers identify cars in the event they need to be recalled, or if there is a service campaign or running change to update the vehicle to address an emerging fault.

Engine numbers are usually stamped into the engine block – the core of the motor and the hardest part to remove from a motor vehicle – rather than stamping identifiers on engine parts which can be easily removed.

Because engine numbers can be hard to find – unless you’re an expert on a particular model and know where to look – they are often repeated on the build plate. In some cases they may also appear on the self-voiding label in the driver’s door frame.

Issuing each vehicle’s engine with a serial number makes it easier for technicians, insurers, finance companies, and authorities to check the legitimacy of a vehicle. Engine numbers also make it difficult – though not impossible – for car criminals to forge.

In essence, engine numbers are another way to correctly identify the bonafides of a vehicle. The easiest way to find it is by checking registration papers. Some insurers only require a VIN, some require both a VIN and an engine number.

Although there is no specific international or universal standard for engine numbers, they typically range from 11 to 17 digits and often have a code that will be unique to each manufacturer.

This enables each manufacturer to identify each individual engine and when it was manufactured.

Although VINs are the primary vehicle identifying number, in rare cases engine numbers can also be used to check if a vehicle has finance owing, has suffered water or flood damage, or has been written off or stolen.

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While it might not always seem like it, your local auto parts store is a pretty amazing place. Just think about it: You can walk in, tell them your vehicle’s make and model, and walk out with parts that fit. That works quite well, in most cases, but there are times when even the wizards down at the corner store can’t figure out which part fits your car.

In these cases, you’ll need to track down your car’s VIN, or vehicle identification number. This 17-digit code contains all sorts of information about your vehicle, from when and where it was made to what kind of engine is under the hood. Unlock its secrets and you’ll be in command of your auto parts experience.

Finding the VIN should be easy, but over time they can be damaged, lost, or become dirty, which makes them much harder to read. Don’t panic, though, because there are other ways to find the number and put it to work for you. The Drive’s crack team of researchers has the scoop. Let’s dive in.

Estimated Time Needed: Five minutes.

Vehicle System: Documentation

The vehicle identification number, or VIN, is a series of letters and numbers that are unique to your vehicle, much like a fingerprint. Since 1981, VINs have been 17 digits long. Before then, they could be anywhere from 11 to 17 digits long, which can complicate modern tools’ ability to track down a vehicle history report.

The VIN is usually found in a few spots on a vehicle. The driver’s side dash, where it meets the windshield, is the easiest place to find it. There will likely also be a VIN stamped inside the driver’s side door jamb.

The 17-number VIN isn’t just a jumble of numbers and letters. Its digits tell us quite a bit about where a vehicle was made and its origins:

1. The first character designates where a vehicle was built
2. The second and third characters designate the manufacturer
3. The fourth through eighth characters designate the brand, engine size, and type
4. The ninth character is a security code that lets us know that the VIN was authorized by the manufacturer
5. The tenth character designates the car’s model year
6. The 11th character indicates which plant manufactured the vehicle
7. The last six characters are the vehicle’s serial number

You won’t need much for this job. At most, we’d recommend having a flashlight handy and a magnifying glass if you typically have trouble reading small text. The biggest inconvenience here is that the VIN plates, which are usually small pieces of metal, can become dirty or damaged, making it hard to read. Here’s what you’ll need.

• Flashlight
• Magnifying glass

Finding and reading your vehicle’s VIN isn’t hard, but it can be complicated by dirt or damage to the metal plates where the numbers are printed.

1. Check the lower driver’s side portion of your windshield. Most vehicles have a VIN plate located in a small area in the dash. This should be visible to the naked eye, but you may need a flashlight or a magnifying glass if the plate is dirty, or if it’s dark out.
2. If you can’t read the VIN plate on the dash, your next best bet is to check the driver’s door jamb. This is the area between the inside and the outside of your car that is typically covered by the door when it’s shut. Here, you will find another VIN plate, as well as a white and yellow label that tells you the vehicle’s optimal cold tire pressure.
3. If both of those options are not available to you, either because the VIN plates are damaged or dirty, your next best bet is to check your documents. Your title, registration, and even your insurance cards have the VIN listed.

Now that you understand what your VIN is trying to tell you, you can march into your local auto parts store to get the right parts. To do this without looking foolish, you’ll need the eighth character, which is the actual engine code and the tenth character, which is the model year. Give these to your parts person and they’ll be able to find what you need in no time.

Although The Drive’s detailed how-to guides are easy to follow, a rusty bolt, an engine component not in the correct position, or a messy oil leak can derail a project. That’s why we’ve partnered with JustAnswer, which connects you to certified mechanics around the globe, to get you through even the toughest jobs.

So if you have a question or are stuck, click here and talk to a mechanic near you. 

You may have eagle eyes, but even the best Waldo-finder in the world sometimes has trouble reading VIN plates. 

• Don’t hesitate to use a flashlight or magnifying glass to read the plate.
• VINs aren’t really private like your social security number, but you should keep track of it anyway. Don’t leave important information or documents lying around.
• Don’t get caught up in trying to decipher every digit of your VIN. Just keep in mind that it can be helpful to find the exact part you need.

You’ve got questions, The Drive has answers! 

A: Don’t be silly. Your car has a VIN. It might not be visible to you, but it’s there. If you can’t find it on your vehicle, check your documents. If you don’t, for some reason, have them, do you even own the car? In all seriousness, though, if your VIN is mangled or not visible, some states won’t pass your car for inspection. Be sure you have documentation to go with it.

A: Well, it’s not going to make all of your problems go away, but your VIN can be used to order parts for your specific vehicle and can also help you track down a vehicle history report.

A: It’s probably possible to physically remove one number and add another, but the VIN that came with your vehicle is there to stay. Literally, everything that registers the car legally with the government revolves around that number.

We’re here to be expert guides in everything How-To related. Use us, compliment us, yell at us. Comment below and let’s talk! You can also shout at us on Twitter or Instagram, here are our profiles.

Jonathon Klein: Twitter (@jonathon.klein), Instagram (@jonathon_klein)

Tony Markovich: Twitter (@T_Marko), Instagram (@t_marko)

Chris Teague: Twitter (@TeagueDrives), Instagram (@TeagueDrives)

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