Hello, dear blog readers Kak-kupit-auto.ru. Today our topic is complete set according to VIN code, how to find out the equipment of a car by VIN, how to find out the equipment in which the car was released from the factory. Find out the equipment by VIN code – this is not an easy task, since this information is not collected anywhere in one place. However, we will try to figure out how find out the vehicle's equipment by VIN code.
How to find out the vehicle's equipment by VIN code?
Many car enthusiasts do not realize how important it is to check the factory equipment of a car using the VIN code before purchasing it, even to determine the country of assembly. More experienced car owners will definitely answer that this will not only help make the right choice, but also save money if inconsistencies are discovered between the original equipment, documentation data and the information of the real owner. Also, the check will save you from such troubles as, for example, purchasing a “double” or a stolen car with a wrong number.
How does knowledge of packaging help in exposing fraudulent schemes?
As a rule, when preparing expensive criminal cars for sale, scammers do not match the documents to the car, but the car to match the original documentation. At the same time, genuine plates with the VIN code and other information are also used - they are welded into the places where they are supposed to be. The fact of replacement is difficult for an ordinary buyer of a vehicle to identify, especially if this procedure was carried out by a professional. In most cases, this is determined by traffic police experts when checking body numbers.
As a result, the car is seized. And this is at best, and at worst – a criminal case against the owner. Indeed, in addition to the fact that the vehicle is stolen, it can also be listed in criminal cases - a fatal hit-and-run, robbery, premeditated murder, etc.
And if you bother to find out the vehicle’s equipment by VIN, all this can be avoided. How? Yes, everything is simple - you can adjust as accurately as possible only the main parameters between the documentation, VIN code and the vehicle itself. It is almost impossible to adjust factory equipment in its smallest details.
Therefore, if even the slightest discrepancy is detected between the deciphered original configuration and that specified in the documentation, special attention should be paid to inspecting the attachment points of the plates with the VIN code and body number:
- Welds around plates and at the joints of body elements are not allowed. Traditionally, they are fastened using special rivets. The presence of a welded joint is direct evidence of a criminal history.
- Welded seams can be properly cleaned and painted over, but in any case, traces of foreign interference will be visible - for example, in the areas where they have been cleaned there will be greater roughness than in other places.
If the checked vehicle equipment according to the VIN code does not correspond to the declared one and the above-mentioned traces of a stranger are found, then buying such a car is more expensive for yourself.
There are also situations when factory units are replaced with non-original ones. This, of course, is not as scary as a crime story, but it can make your life significantly more difficult. If such “inconsistencies” are discovered, you can either refuse to purchase such a vehicle or reduce the price initially specified by the seller.
Decoding the encoding
If you want to buy a quality car from a specific manufacturer, you can find out everything about it at the dealership or find out this fact yourself. The first three digits of the VIN - the code of the vehicle you are purchasing - will help you with this.
And so, the first sign indicates the state in which the car was assembled, and off we go:
- 2 - Canada
- 1,4,5 - USA
- 9 - Brazil
- 3 - Mexico
- J - Japan
- K - Korea
- Z - Italy
- V - Spain
- W - Germany
- S - England
- Y - Sweden.
The second symbol hides the car brand:
- 1 - Chevrolet
- 2&5 — Pontiac
- 3 - Oldsmobile
- 4 - Buick
- 6 - Cadillac
- 7 - GM Canada
- 8 - Saturn
- A - Audi, Land Rover, Jaguar
- D - Dodge
- L - Lincoln
- N - Infiniti, Nissan
- O - Opel
- T – Toyota, Lexus
- N - Honda, Acura
- F - Ferrari, Ford, Subaru, Fiat
- M - Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Skoda, Mercury
- A - Mitsubishi (USA)
- V - Volvo, Volkswagen
- D - Mercedes-Benz
- B - BMW
- S - Suzuki, Isuzu
- G - General Motors
- C - Chrysler.
By the third sign you can find out about the type of car. The vehicle description is under 2,4,5,6,7,8 and 9 characters. From all these numbers and symbols, every buyer or vehicle owner will be able to find out information about the engine type, body series and car model. From the tenth to the seventeenth character you can find out not only where the car was assembled, but also its technical characteristics and year of manufacture. For example, the symbol A means that the car was produced in 1980 (B - 1981, C - 1983, E - 1984, etc.)
VIN code and body serial number: differences
These are 2 different numbers and most modern cars have both. And ignorance of this is fraught not only with confusion, but also with unnecessary waste of money - unscrupulous police officers can profit from you by discovering an alleged “inconsistency” in the numbers and offering to “solve the problem on the spot” for a certain amount. Therefore, let's figure out how the VIN code and body number differ from each other.
VIN is a unique identification number that is responsible for the entire vehicle. And the body number is only responsible for the body. The VIN always consists of 17 characters, and the body number contains 9-14 characters.
Usually the shorter body number is duplicated in the long identification number, but not always - they can be completely different. They also differ in location. So, if the placement of the VIN code is standard, then the manufacturer can place the body serial number anywhere at its discretion.
The first 4-6 characters of the body number determine the make and type of body, and the rest are the manufacturer's serial number. Today, the majority of automakers carry out identification markings using the VIN code. But there are exceptions - some Japanese and American automakers produce cars only with a body serial number.
But today it is more expedient to check the car’s equipment by the VIN code, and not by the body number, which is almost always part of the VIN, as stated above.
Recommendations for determining the car manufacturer
Vehicle identification number - VIN code, like a fingerprint, is always with the car. If the technical vehicle passport (PTS) can be destroyed or lost, then the VIN code is given to the car at the time of its creation and does not change throughout the entire life of the vehicle. It serves both the owner himself when searching for spare parts, and the police and traffic police officers when identifying stolen cars.
For beginners, it will be interesting to know that the VIN code is stamped on the front left pillar of the body, or the left side of the dashboard so that it can be recognized from the outside through the windshield. For accuracy, the manufacturer indicates where the treasured information is located in the PTS.
What exactly can be determined using a VIN?
It is best to check the vehicle's VIN before inspecting it - you can simply call the seller and clarify the identification number (he should not hide this information if there are no hidden problems).
You can determine equipment in several ways:
- Doing it yourself is the most difficult and time-consuming method. You can collect information only after determining the basic characteristics of the vehicle. At the same time, you will have to find and “shovel” a lot of information on the Internet - from various online catalogs to various collections of tables. This may take more than one day, and the result does not always meet expectations
- Through the online service "AutoHistory" - the easiest and fastest method to find out the vehicle's equipment by VIN. You don’t have to study and collect data from different sources, you just need to enter the identification number and “it’s in the bag” - the report will be generated within a few minutes. The service is quite inexpensive, which makes checking accessible to everyone. At the same time, in addition to equipping the vehicle, you will learn the most complete history of its operation (criminal, banking, judicial, customs).
By checking the equipment of your car using our website, you can find out the following information:
- Model generation, start of production and model year.
- Engine characteristics - series, type, volume, power, torque.
- Gearbox type.
- Body type, body color.
An example and report is presented below:
The concept of “car equipment”
A car's equipment is a set of component parameters available in a vehicle.
Wanting to capture the attention of their target audience, manufacturers, in a passionate fight against competition, are looking for opportunities to release many variations of one model. Thus, the manufacturer and dealers sell the same model at different prices. The configurations are divided into:
- Basic - implies the minimum possible set of technical components and installed equipment. Such a car is usually less comfortable and does not stand out for its acceleration dynamics, but is attractive due to its affordable price.
- Standard - balance of price, quality and convenience. This set of functions brings increased comfort, a set of additional equipment and improved performance. The price is higher than the basic version.
- Comfort - a wide range of additional equipment, interesting technical characteristics with a maximum level of comfort and convenience.
- Luxury - the maximum of what you need! Everything that the manufacturer can provide will be present in this configuration.
- Promotional - a limited collection of produced cars.
All the options presented above certainly have their pros and cons. One model is more expensive and more comfortable, but the other is cheaper. Buyers already select a suitable car according to their taste.
How to check the equipment through the online service "AutoHistory"?
The procedure for checking a car's VIN configuration on our website is extremely simple. You only need to do a few steps:
- Enter the vehicle identification number in the input field.
- Provide a working email address to which the vehicle history will be sent to you.
- Pay for the service.
A detailed report will be sent to your email address within 5-15 minutes. When the service is busy, there are delays, but no more than 1.5 hours from the moment of payment.
"AutoHistory" works with databases of official, unofficial and commercial structures. Therefore, we guarantee that you will receive the most detailed and truthful information about the car you are interested in. You can check the equipment of your vehicle on our website without restrictions, regional restrictions and at any time convenient for you, day or night - our operation mode is 24/7.
Based on the above, the vehicle equipment according to the VIN code must be checked without fail. By doing this, you will significantly reduce the risk of possibly falling into fraudulent schemes, saving your money, time and nerves. "AutoHistory" is your reliable assistant in purchasing used vehicles. Fraudsters are insidious - always be on the lookout!
Where to check the model by VIN code
There are several ways to find out information about an engine by VIN. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, let's look at them in more detail:
- Using portals such as Avtobot.net. The information is complete, but a fee of 150 to 400 rubles is charged for it.
- Contacting the traffic police. A personal visit and collection of documents is required. The wait for a response is about two weeks.
- Searching for information on the websites of online stores that sell spare parts. For example, Exist.ru. The advantage is that information is provided instantly, and in most cases there is no charge, but registration on the portal is required.
The sequence of actions in obtaining information about the motor in the latter version will be approximately as follows:
- We go to the online store website and register;
- Select the option “request by VIN code”;
- Enter the identification number;
- Open the additional information tab.
You can find out information about the engine number by VIN simply and free of charge by using online store sites. Firms are interested in clients, so they will help in the selection of spare parts for the engine. Such a check will allow you not only to determine the engine model, but also to obtain information about modifications, steering wheel location and even interior color.
