What Does VIN Mean?
A VIN, short for Vehicle Identification Number, is a unique 17-character code assigned to every vehicle. It reveals a car’s true history, including if it has been involved in an accident, damaged by flood, recalled by the manufacturer, or even reported stolen.
These details are to help make when you pay for a car whose condition you properly understand.
Why Are VIN Numbers 17 Digits Long?
VIN numbers were first introduced in the 1950s when automakers began stamping serial numbers on vehicles to track production. But because every manufacturer used a different format, it became difficult to identify or trace vehicles accurately.
To solve this problem, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) standardized the system in 1981, making all VINs exactly 17 characters long. The goal was to create a universal format that could carry enough information to uniquely identify every vehicle ever built.
Each of the 17 characters serves a purpose. They reveal details like the car’s manufacturer, model, engine type, year of production, and even where it was assembled. Together, they form a universal code that tells you everything from where the car was built to its exact production details.
Different Parts of a VIN Number
The VIN number is divided into three main sections. These sections include:
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)
The first three characters on a VIN are used to identify the manufacturer and country of origin.
For example:
- A VIN with 1, 4, or 5 indicates it was made in the United States.
- 2 shows the car was made in Canada.
- 2 shows the car was made in Canada.
- 3 is for Mexico.
- J is simply for Japan.
- K is for South Korea.
- W means made in Germany.
Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)
The Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) includes the 4th to the 9th character. This section provides key details such as the vehicle’s model, engine type, body style, and safety features.
The 9th character also serves as a check digit which is used to verify that the VIN number is valid and not forged.
"Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS)",
Finally, the Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS) covers the 10th to 17th characters. Here you’ll find the year of manufacture, the assembly plant, and the vehicle’s unique serial number.
These details are especially important in Nigeria, where Customs uses the VIN number to determine a car’s accurate age and apply the correct import duties.
What Information Does Your VIN Reveal?
Your car’s VIN isn’t just a random mix of letters and numbers. When decoded, it opens up a complete record of the vehicle’s history. Here’s a quick look at what your VIN can reveal:
Accident and Damage History: Shows whether the car has been involved in minor or major crashes that could affect safety or performance.
The Odometer Records: Helps you detect mileage rollbacks so you’re not purchasing a car that has been driven significantly more than its advertised mileage.
Ownership Records: Lists all previous owners and gives insight into how the car was used.
Flood Damage Records: These records matter a lot, especially since some cars coming from the United States may have been damaged by hurricanes or floods.
The Vehicle’s Salvage Report: Shows if the car was ever declared a total loss by insurers. This can warn you that you may soon face significant issues with the mechanic.
Why a VIN Check Matters
Skipping a VIN check might save you a few naira upfront, but it can cost you millions later. Without one, you risk:
Paying for Hidden Flood Damage: Repairs for vehicles affected by floods or hurricanes can range from ₦500,000 to ₦2,000,000, depending on how bad the damage is.
Buying a Stolen Car: Through VIN records, Nigerian Customs connects to international databases that flag vehicles reported as stolen abroad. If your car shows up on such a list during clearance, Customs can seize it instantly, and you’ll lose the full purchase price with no refund or compensation.
Facing Customs Penalties or Legal Issues: If the car’s declared details don’t match its VIN records, you could face fines or even lose the vehicle entirely.
When you look at the bigger picture, paying for a VIN report is like buying insurance for your investment.
A professional VIN verification typically costs between ₦6,000 and ₦25,000 for a comprehensive report. This is a small investment compared to the potential financial risks of buying an imported car without proper checks.
Get a Vehicle history report for ₦6,999
7 Places to Locate Your Vehicle's VIN
Finding your VIN might seem straightforward, but knowing all possible locations can save you time and help verify authenticity. Here are the 7 most common places to look:
Dashboard (Driver's Side)
The most common VIN location is on the driver’s side of the dashboard, visible through the windshield. This placement makes it quick to check without opening the car, which is why Customs and FRSC officers often inspect this spot first.
Driver's Side Door Frame
Open the driver’s door and look at the door jamb, where the door meets the car frame. A sticker here usually displays the VIN along with tire pressure and manufacturing details. Since stickers can be removed, this location is useful but should always be cross-checked.
Engine Block
Most automakers stamp the VIN directly onto the engine block. The location varies, but you’ll often find it on the front or side of the engine. Because it’s engraved in metal, this VIN marking is one of the hardest to fake or remove, unlike stickers or plates that can be swapped out.
Under the Hood
Manufacturers frequently place VIN plates or stickers in various places beneath the hood in addition to the engine block. Common areas include the firewall, the radiator support, or the strut towers.
Rear Wheel Wells
On some vehicles, especially trucks and SUVs, manufacturers stamp or place the VIN inside the rear wheel well area.
Frame Rail
For trucks, SUVs, and certain cars, the VIN may also be stamped on the frame rail, typically visible from underneath the vehicle. This stamping is extremely secure because the frame is a fundamental structural component of the vehicle.
Vehicle Title or Certificate of Ownership
The official ownership documents provided by customs or previous owners contain the VIN. This information should correspond with your import documentation for vehicles that are imported.
Why VIN is important in Nigeria
If you’re planning to buy a used car in Nigeria, the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) should be the first thing you verify. Regulatory agencies like the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the National Vehicle Registry (VREG) use this 17-character code to confirm that a vehicle is properly registered and not stolen.
Here’s how it matters:
Registration Verification: FRSC’s system uses the VIN to automatically check details like the manufacturer, model, production year, and engine specs. This ensures the car’s documents match the actual vehicle.
Fraud Detection: FRSC also cross-checks the VIN with VREG in real time to flag cars that were stolen, used in crimes, or imported illegally. This protects both you and the local auto market.
Customs Clearance: When your car arrives in Nigeria, Customs runs a VIN valuation to confirm the car’s age, engine type, and market value before setting import duties.
Car history: Most importantly, your VIN reveals key details such as accident records, flood damage, or odometer rollback. Platforms like Tokunbo.io can generate a complete report so you know exactly what you’re paying for.
If you remember nothing else, remember this, the VIN is your best protection against fraud, overpaying on import duties, and buying a car with hidden problems.
VIN Number Checklist Before You Buy A Used Car
According to Vanguard, there’s a need to regulate car importation, as many accident-prone vehicles make their way into Nigeria's tokunbo market
These vehicles sometimes may appear flawless on the surface, but purchasing such a vehicle can result in expensive repairs and complete loss of your hard-earned investment.
Before you pay for any used car in Nigeria:
1. Check that the VIN on the car matches all vehicle papers and documents.
2. Get a complete vehicle history report using the VIN number.
3. Confirm Customs duty has been fully paid by requesting the duty documents and ensuring the VIN appears correctly.
4. Make sure the VIN on the car and documents are legitimate and clear, so you don’t run into problems when you go to register it with FRSC later.
Invest a few minutes in a VIN check today.