How To Locate a Stolen Car by Vin (2024)
There are several ways to locate a stolen car by VIN. The VIN is a vehicle's unique identification code, and is stamped on the car in several places. Organizations like the NICB offer VIN lookup databases that can help determine if a car has been stolen. The vehicle's history can also be found by VIN lookup.
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Jimmy McMillan
Licensed Insurance Agent
Jimmy McMillan is an entrepreneur and the founder of HeartLifeInsurance.com, an independent insurance brokerage. His company specializes in insurance for people with heart problems. He knows personally how difficult it is to secure health and life insurance after a heart attack. Jimmy is a licensed insurance agent from coast to coast who has been featured on ValientCEO and the podcast Modern Li...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Aug 22, 2024
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Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Aug 22, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- A VIN is a 17 number code used to identify a specific vehicle
- You can locate your VIN by your vehicle, insurance card, vehicle title, or vehicle registration
- The NICB provides a stolen VIN check for free
Buying a car can be a stressful and complicated process. Unless you’re purchasing it directly from the manufacturer or at a dealership, you won’t know the vehicle’s full history without doing some research. Luckily, there’s an easy way to find out if a vehicle has a shady past: a VIN check. It can be easy to locate a stolen car by VIN.
Every car has a unique code assigned to it at the time of manufacture. This code is called a vehicle identification number (VIN) and it’s like a fingerprint. No two VINs are the same, and they can be used to identify the car’s history. This includes any history of motor vehicle theft, so you can.
In this article, we will go over locating a potentially stolen car using the car’s VIN. Going through the process to track a car with the VIN number can help protect you as the registered owner and prevent potential difficulties later on.
Before you learn more about locating a stolen car by VIN, make sure you’re covered if your car is stolen. Enter your ZIP code now to compare auto insurance quotes from top companies.
What is a VIN? Can I locate a stolen car by VIN?
A VIN is a 17-character alphanumeric code that’s used to identify a specific vehicle. The VIN contains information about the car’s physical features and vehicle history. The following information can be found using the VIN:
- Country where the vehicle was built
- Manufacturer
- Manufacturer authorization via a security code
- Plant where the vehicle was assembled
- Brand
- Engine size and type
- Vehicle model year
- Serial number
All of this information is useful for tracking ownership history, thefts, and towing. It can also be used to track recalls on the vehicle’s components and monitor insurance claims.
What if my VIN is shorter than 17 characters?
Vehicles manufactured prior to 1981 may have a VIN between 11 and 17 characters. Information about older vehicles may be more limited due to a lack of digital records.
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Where can I find my VIN?
There are four places where you’re likely to find your car’s VIN:
- Your vehicle
- Insurance card and other insurance policy documents
- Vehicle title
- Vehicle registration
The VIN can appear in different places on a car’s interior. The most common is the dashboard on the driver’s side. It will be written in the bottom left corner, where the dashboard meets the windshield. The next most common place is the driver’s side door jam. There, you may find a sticker containing several important pieces of information, including the VIN.
Some cars may have VIN etching, where the VIN is permanently etched into the car. In fact, you can even get an auto insurance discount for VIN etching.
If you have a suspicion that a car may have been stolen or tampered with, you can also look for the VIN in more hidden places to check for consistency. The VIN may also be printed on the front of the engine block, the front of the car frame under the hood, the top of the rear wheel wells, or underneath the spare tire.
If there are multiple different VINs on different parts of the car or you see signs of tampering, you should be suspicious and report it to the police. Record all of the numbers you see and start researching.
How do I check if a VIN is stolen?
Multiple organizations and agencies maintain records of lost, stolen, or scrapped vehicles. Many of them provide a stolen VIN check for free for consumers to use independently. The most prominent is the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).
The National Insurance Crime Bureau’s VINCheck
The NICB is an independent organization that aims to combat insurance fraud and theft, particularly regarding vehicles. They work with insurance companies to compile information in one place for easy public use. They provide a free VIN search for stolen vehicles on their website.
On the VINCheck Lookup page, you will be prompted to provide a VIN.
After you agree to the terms of use, they will search their databases to see if the vehicle associated with your VIN has been reported as stolen or as a salvage vehicle.
If your car has been stolen, the website will prompt you to contact the NICB or law enforcement for the next steps.
Motor Vehicle History Report
The NICB is a good place to start with a VIN check for a stolen car, but unfortunately, their records are not all-inclusive. If you’re worried about a car theft that could have occurred a while ago, check your vehicle’s complete history with a title or registration search. These searches can be requested through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in the state where the car is registered.
These reports will show collisions or other insurance issues as reported by insurance companies. They will also list the vehicle’s registered owner. It’s one of the things you should check when buying a used car.
Insurance Agencies and Other Private Organizations
There are a wide variety of websites that offer VIN check services. Some are run by insurance agencies and their subsidiaries, and some are run independently. An insurance VIN lookup is a great way to run a stolen vehicle check by vin. The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS), which is overseen by the U.S. Department of Justice, houses a list of trustworthy VIN lookup websites.
Locate a Stolen Car by VIN: The Bottom Line
The VIN is your best tool for locating a stolen car. It can also help you to identify stolen parts. With multiple VIN lookup services out there, it’s easy to track a vehicle by VIN number.
Now that you know how to locate a stolen car by VIN, you can be prepared in the event of theft or tampering with your vehicle. In addition to this knowledge, there’s another way to protect yourself from unforeseen circumstances—car insurance.
Before you find yourself tracking a stolen vehicle by VIN, make sure you have the coverage you need. Enter your ZIP code now for fast, free auto insurance quotes from top companies.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a VIN?
VIN, or Vehicle Identification Number, is a unique code assigned to every motor vehicle. It serves as the vehicle’s fingerprint and contains information about its make, model, year, and other relevant details.
Can I use the VIN to locate a stolen car?
While the VIN itself does not directly provide the location of a stolen car, it can be used by law enforcement and insurance companies to identify and track stolen vehicles.
How can law enforcement use the VIN to locate a stolen car?
Law enforcement agencies have access to national databases that contain stolen vehicle information. They can use the VIN to track down the stolen car, verify its ownership, and potentially recover it.
Are there any professional services that specialize in locating stolen cars?
Yes, there are professional services that specialize in assisting with the recovery of stolen vehicles. These services often work closely with law enforcement agencies, insurance companies, and vehicle owners. Contacting such a service may increase your chances of recovering your stolen car.
Where can I find my VIN?
The VIN can be found in several places on a car, including the dashboard on the driver’s side, the driver’s side door jam, and other hidden locations such as the engine block, car frame, or spare tire.
Can insurance companies help in locating a stolen car using the VIN?
Insurance companies typically work closely with law enforcement agencies to facilitate the recovery of stolen vehicles. By providing them with your vehicle’s VIN, they can update their records and collaborate with the authorities during the investigation process.
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Jimmy McMillan
Licensed Insurance Agent
Jimmy McMillan is an entrepreneur and the founder of HeartLifeInsurance.com, an independent insurance brokerage. His company specializes in insurance for people with heart problems. He knows personally how difficult it is to secure health and life insurance after a heart attack. Jimmy is a licensed insurance agent from coast to coast who has been featured on ValientCEO and the podcast Modern Li...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.