Vehicle Identification Number, chassis and engine number are unique identification numbers of your vehicle. VIN is an alphanumeric code of 17 characters. Decoding this number will help you identify the manufacturing year and month of a vehicle's model.

Similarly, a chassis number is the last six-digit number of VIN. Individuals often use VIN and chassis numbers interchangeably. Conversely, as the name suggests, an engine number is also an identification number inscribed on a vehicle's engine.

These unique numbers are vital to avoid fraud, especially when buying a used car or a bike. You can find all these numbers online by following simple steps. Keep reading to learn how to find engine numbers and chassis numbers online and other vital details.

Follow the step-wise guide mentioned below to check your vehicle details, including VIN, chassis, and engine number -

• Step 1: Visit the official website of Vahan NR e-Services. Select "Know Your Vehicle Details".
• Step 2: Log in with your registered mobile number. If you are not registered to this portal, register with your mobile number and email id.
• Step 3: Enter details of your vehicle and captcha. Select "Search Vehicle".

Now you can view the following details -

• Registration number
• Engine number
• Name of the owner
• Type of fuel etc.

Once you complete learning how to find engine numbers and chassis numbers online, let's know how to find these details offline.

Find out the VIN or chassis number of your car through the following ways -

• RC or Registration Certificate: When you purchase a car, a car dealer registers it at your local Regional Transport Office. The RTO issues a registration certificate summarising the chassis number of your vehicle. You can also find the same in the smart card besides other information.
• Door: Manufacturers often print a chassis number on a metal strip, present on the B-pillar of a car. You can find this on the side door of the driver's seat.
• Dashboard: Specific car manufacturer's often print this VIN on a car's dashboard.
• Hood, Boot, Rear Wheel and Front Grille: You can find VIN under your vehicle's hood. You can locate this beside the engine. At the same time, you can locate VIN under the spare wheel in the boot. Often manufacturers print VIN above the rear wheel. Similarly, a VIN is printed under your vehicle's front grille.
• Car Dealers: If you cannot find your car's VIN or chassis number, contact the respective car dealer from whom you purchased your car.
• Car Insurance Policy: You can find VIN on your car insurance policy documents. Often, these documents are sent to your registered email id.

• VAHAN official website: You can easily retrieve any information related to your car from the VAHAN official portal. Create an account with necessary credentials and head to 'Know Your Vehicle Details' tab. 

An engine number of a car serves two purposes -

• It recognises the originality of a car's engine
• It is useful during an insurer's assessment when you purchase or claim car insurance.

You can find a car's engine number on an engine block. Further, you can check the owner's manual to locate this number on your car's engine.

However, there are other ways you can check the engine number -

• Registration certificate of a car
• Car insurance policy document
• Car dealers

Find your two-wheeler's VIN or chassis number in the following places -

• Steering neck of your motorcycle or near your bike's motor.
• For scooters, you can find this number inside the glove box, under the dashboard, near your scooter's centre stand or frame.

In case you cannot find this number, contact your dealer to get the information. Also, you can decode the VIN of your two-wheeler by following the guide mentioned above.

As the name suggests, find your bike's engine number on its engine.

Also, the chassis number is a part of VIN. So, you can locate this number once you find out the VIN. If you still cannot find it, seek help from your two-wheeler's registration certificate or owner's manual.

Thus, this is all about how to find engine numbers and chassis numbers online and offline.

It is essential to learn how to decode VIN, especially if you plan to purchase a used car. This number informs you about its history, including – its owner, prior reports of accidents and repairs. It is also vital information when you purchase or want to claim car insurance. Access to all these details helps you make an informed decision before buying a used car and avoiding inconvenience later.

The VIN of a vehicle consists of the following elements -

• WMI or World Manufacturer Identifier
• Vehicle Description Section or VDS
• The other nine characters denote the type of engine, vehicle, displacement, design, year of manufacture etc.
• Serial number

Now let's delve into decoding the VIN of a car.

First Character

Meaning - It denotes in which country the car is manufactured. A digit or an alphabet represents this character. Or else it may be a combination of both. For example, VIN for vehicles manufactured in India starts with MA-ME, MZ.

First Three Characters

Meaning - The combination of the first three characters is WMI. This helps to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle. The third character varies and may denote the manufacturer, type of vehicle or division of the manufacturer which produced the car.

Fourth to Ninth Characters

Meaning - It represents the VDS. This summarises the details of the type of vehicle, model, body engine type, and the platform in which it is manufactured. The eighth character denotes the type of engine. Similarly, the ninth character indicates a security code or manufacturing month of the car.

Tenth to Eleventh Character

Meaning - The tenth character denotes the manufacturing year of a car. An alphabet represents this character, allocated to each manufacturing year since 1981. Besides the manufacturing year, an eleventh character informs about the plant where the car is manufactured.

Twelfth to Seventeenth Character

Meaning - The last six characters denote the serial number of a car.

Buying a new or a used car and bike involves a significant investment. Therefore it is your responsibility to take care of the same. Knowing about VIN, engine and chassis numbers makes it easier to track the originality of a vehicle and avoid falling into the traps of fraud dealers.