Why you need a chassis number?

Think of a car’s chassis as being just like your skeleton, it is the frame which a car is built up from... but is also the essence of its identity. Allow me to explain: every car when it is made is assigned a unique serial number which is either known as a chassis number or a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This number allows mechanics to identify the vehicle which is listed on a database so that they can a.) Check the car’s history and b.)Use the chassis number as a means to source the correct spares for your vehicle when parts inevitably wear out.

The used car market is full of secrets, without the existence of a chassis number, you could easily become the victim of a “cut and shut”, when you buy a car that is literally two cars welded together. This is extremely dangerous and could endanger your safety and that of other people. On the database, information about serious accidents the car has been involved in is kept for future reference. When you buy a used car, this is certainly something about the car’s history that you would want to know about. The chassis number enables you to track a car’s history.

When buying Vauxhall parts, you need to know your chassis number; it is usually on a plate near the engine. For example, if you are looking for Vauxhall Corsa parts, the chassis number is probably under the bonnet close to the car’s battery.

Since 1981, chassis numbers have consisted of strictly 17 characters which don’t include the letters i, o or q to avoid confusion with number 0 and 1 although bear in mind that there are four separate standards used to calculate VIN numbers across the world.