When you think of your forms of ID, you likely picture your driver’s license, Social Security number, birth certificate, or passport. These documents are essential for humans, but what about your car’s identification? You likely treat your BMW like your family, so its ID is also necessary.
Every BMW has a vehicle identification number (VIN), so why is it important? What can you do with this number?
Where Can You Find the VIN?
The VIN is an easily accessible piece of information in your BMW. Depending on the make and model, you can typically find the VIN inside the front door, the inside frame, or the jamb. Or it could be on the dashboard, close to the windscreen on the driver’s side. You’ll know it’s your VIN when you see a 17-digit number.
Each BMW has a specific VIN. The numbers may seem random, but there is a particular way to decode the ID. The first digit will tell you what country it’s from. For example, America will have 1, 4, or 5. The rest of the digits tell you the manufacturer’s specification data, the model year, the plant location, and the vehicle’s unique number. This form of identification for your car can come in handy, especially if you run into problems with your vehicle.
How Does VIN Help in Recalls?
One of the primary advantages of your VIN comes during a recall. If BMW announces a recall, you could use your VIN to search your car and see if the announcement affects you. You can use search tools from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) to find your vehicle and see if it’s part of the recall or if it’s had defects in the past.
Can VIN Help Insure the Vehicle?
Another critical use for VINs comes when buying car insurance. The insurance company will use your VIN to find out the vehicle history to help determine your policy. You won’t need a VIN if you want a quote from an insurance company. However, to obtain insurance, you’ll need your BMW’s VIN.
The VIN can help you get a good idea of what your insurance rates will look like. Your insurance rates depend on factors like the vehicle’s history, ownership status, mileage, and more. You can find out this information and more through your VIN to gauge how much your premiums should be and what policy you should get.
How Can a VIN Help Buyers?
Buying a car can be challenging these days. Inflation has contributed to the problem, but the supply chain issues from the last couple of years have increased the prices of buying a new BMW.
The primary concern comes from microchip shortages. Auto manufacturers slowed down microchip orders during the pandemic, but now they face increased demand for cars with insufficient chips to produce vehicles.
The average price of a new car reached a record-high average of $47,000 in 2022. Used cars aren’t far behind, either. You may be unable to wait to buy a car, so the VIN will come in handy. Do you remember the “Show me the Carfax” commercials? A VIN works similarly when searching for a vehicle to purchase.
All you need is your VIN, and you can search databases that will give you a full report on the BMW you’re interested in. This summary will outline every detail you need to know, such as the fuel economy, drivetrain, anti-lock brake system, and more. The VIN gives drivers a much clearer picture of the vehicle they want to purchase so they know what they should offer in negotiations.
How Can a VIN Help Sellers?
VINs come in handy for buyers and are also helpful for sellers. If you’re looking to sell your BMW, you can give prospective buyers the VIN so they can search for anything they want about the vehicle. Giving them the VIN can signify trust in the buyer’s and seller’s relationship.
Also, it can provide a leg up to the seller in negotiations because they’ll have more confidence that their selling price is fair.
Is Theft Possible With VINs?
BMW owners should be vigilant about their VIN. At the end of the day, it’s a form of identification like a Social Security number. You’ll want to protect it and only give it to people you trust. Car theft is a problem in the United States, and some criminals use VIN cloning to target people.
This act involves stealing a car and then taking a VIN from another vehicle of the same make and model. The criminal then creates a fake VIN plate and places it on the stolen car. VIN cloning leads to buyers getting vehicles that were involved in accidents and had other issues. Not to mention: They’re also stolen vehicles. Keep your VIN safe, because you never know when a criminal could take it.
Treat Your BMW VIN Like a PIN
When looking to sell or buy a BMW, the car’s VIN is one of the essential aspects. With this ID, you can see the complete history and get a much better gauge of what a fair price should be. It’ll also come in handy if BMW announces any recalls. Just remember to keep your VIN safe to avoid fraud attempts.