Vin Numbers
What You Should Know about VIN Numbers
All cars and light trucks that were built after 1981 have a unique 17-character number that is used to recall specific and valuable information about that specific car’s history. This number is actually called the vehicle identification number (VIN#).
The VIN is how you can get all of the records for everything that will ever happen to that car. It displays a car’s uniqueness and manufacturer and it also provides a method to trace your car from the factory all the way to the junk yard. Your VIN can be used to track any recalls, registrations, warranty claims, thefts and insurance coverage too. Before you think of buying a car, you need to look over the car and make sure that all of the VIN numbers you can find are the same when you look inside the car. |
If they are different, the information that you will get may not be accurate. The VIN number is generally engraved into the car directly or on a sticker in numerous places in the car (inside the doors, the dash, the trunk, engine, and/or quarter panels for example).
States use the VIN number so that they can track a car’s status. You need to protect yourself by thoroughly checking the VIN number on the used car you want to buy. The locations of the vehicle identification number (VIN) often do vary but if you look below, you will learn the most common places that they can be found:
- Your car’s firewall
- Your car’s Radiator Support Bracket
- Your car’s Dash near the windshield
- The Left hand side at the inner wheel arch
- The car’s Steering column
- Check the Guarantee & Maintenance Book in glove compartment
- The Machined Pad on the front of the engine
- Drivers side door or post on passenger side
- Component parts also such as engine, frame, etc.
For the later model years locations of the VIN:
- Left instrumentation panel
- Dash plate by window
- Drivers door or post
- Firewall
Knowing the Manufacturers Responsibility Basically, the Lemon Law requires manufacturers to meet the terms of all of the warranties that they conjure up. The lemon law is what keeps the dealers and manufacturers in line. The manufacturer must repair or correct any defect or condition
which impairs the use and value of the vehicle, while it is under
the warranty period or during the period of one year after the customer
gets it. |
If the manufacturer or authorized dealer couldn’t repair the condition after a reasonable amount of tries, then, under the law, the buyer is entitled to receive a replacement vehicle of equal value or a refund that equals the full purchase/lease price and collateral costs. Of course, this is minus an allowance for the customers use.
The law for lemon cars is assuming that a reasonable number of attempts have been made after:
- At least four unsuccessful attempts to repair the same defect have been made; or
- A car has been out of service because of warranty repairs for at least 30 cumulative days during the warranty period or during the year after the car was delivered to the consumer; or
- There have been 10 or more tries while the car was under warranty or during the first year of ownership, to fix various defects which will significantly impair the use and value of the car.
However, it is worth noting that the manufacturer does not have to make a refund or replace the car if:
- The defect does not significantly impair the use and value of the car; or
- The condition of the car is the direct result of consumer abuse, neglect, or unauthorized alterations of the vehicle by the consumer.
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