Has your car been stolen and you are desperate to learn where the car is at the moment? And your last resort is to learn how to track my car by VIN? If this is the case, then you are at the right place. We are going to cover everything you need to know when it comes to tracking your car by the VIN.
Having problems like these is frustrating. Nobody wants to see their car stolen and try to play a private detective to locate their car. But it is what it is and sometimes you have to do it when the authorities cannot locate the car.
So, learning how to track my car by VIN is key if you want to get your car back and enjoy it once again. Also, there might be some other reasons why you want to learn to track your car by VIN. Maybe you want to locate your old high school car. And you want to repurchase it and relive back some of the old emotions. Everything is possible now with the technology that we have.
That’s why in this article, we are going to learn everything you need to know when it comes to answering the question of how to track my car by VIN. We will learn the basics of what is a VIN. Then we will learn where to locate it. After we will discuss the reasons why you would want to track my car by VIN. Also the ways of how you can do it. Lastly, we will learn the ways to protect your car from thefts. So, let’s get to it.
What Is A VIN Number?
Before we dive into more complex topics, let’s first discuss some of the basics and learn what is a VIN. Because you cannot ask the question of how to track my car by VIN if you don’t know what is a VIN after all. So, let’s find out what this number is and later see how you can use it to track your car with it.
The VIN is an acronym for Vehicle Identification Number. This number is a unique number that is inserted in every road-legal vehicle out there. There are basically no two vehicles with the same VIN around.
The VIN is a mixture of letters and numbers that are basically the ID of your car. But I have registration why do I need VIN? This is a good point because in the registration you have most of this information.
But VINs are created specifically to identify vehicles by their color, trim level, year of production, production plant, and other beneficial information that is there and are extremely useful to track vehicle history.
You cannot track the car’s history by a license plate. A car can have dozens of license plates if it changes owners through the years. But it cannot have dozens of VINs. The VIN is one and only. You cannot change it. Similarly to our social security number. We cannot change it whenever we want. This number tells who we are. Similarly with the VIN.
But how to track my car by VIN? We will answer that question after we cover where you can find the VIN and why you would want to find it in the first place. So, if you want to learn more, follow along.
Where You Can Find The VIN Number?
This is a good thing to know if you want to learn how to track my car by VIN. I’m saying this because if you don’t know where this number is located, you will not be able to track your car. Knowing to locate the number is key if you want to learn how to track my car by VIN. So, where is This VIN located in a vehicle? Let’s find out.
The first and most obvious place where to look for your VIN would be the title of the car. You probably have a title (which you can solve by learning how to get a title for a car with no title) since you are the legal owner of this specific vehicle. Look for your documents and find the title. There will be the VIN written and based on this information you can jump online and start looking for the car.
Then there are other places that you can look at as well. This way is useful if you have the car in your possession.
The first place that you might want to take a look at is the front dash. Namely, the driver’s side. There under the windshield, the VIN should be stamped. If you cannot find it here, you might want to take a look at the driver’s door as well as the B pillar. There should be stickers that indicate the VIN as well as other information.
The next place that you might want to look at is the engine bay. There should be a steel plate that is attached to the chassis that has the VIN on it.
Overall, these are the most probable locations where you can find the VIN. But some carmakers are still hiding these numbers. So, you need to learn how to track your car by VIN.
Why Would You Want To Track Your Car By VIN?
But have you ever wondered why would someone want to track his car by a VIN? Frankly, there are a ton of reasons why you would go online and google out “track my car by VIN”. Some of them make sense, while some of them are completely weird. In the following chapters, we will take a look at the three most probable reasons why you would want to learn how to track your car by the VIN.
1. Car Got Stolen And You Need To Track It
Unfortunately, cars get stolen and it is sometimes difficult to get them back. There are a ton of bad people in this world that would like to get a hold of something that we love and cherish. More precisely our cars.
Especially if it is an old classic that you were restoring for ages and when you finally managed to make it drivable and gave it a good paint job, someone stole it right in under of your nose.
This can be a frustrating thing to deal with and it can throw you into depression. But you shouldn’t be down since there are ways that you can use to track your car. Like in the example in this article where we are teaching you how to track my car by VIN.
The important thing, in this case, is to play it cool and don’t get desperate. Report to the authorities that your car was stolen and also keep an eye on some auction sites. You just never know, the car might get parted out, but it also might pop up on some of these sites.
Then there you will be able to check the VIN and if the VIN matches with your car, then you are on the right track. Later on, we are going to learn how to track my car by VIN in detail and explain to you the nitty and gritty details that you need to know when it comes to finding out where your stolen car could end up.
Now, let’s take a look at other reasons why you would want to learn how to track my car by VIN.
2. You Want To Learn The Vehicle’s Sale History
Another reason why you would want to learn how to track your car by VIN is to learn the vehicle’s sale history. Sale history is important and you need to learn the sale history before you purchase a car. Why I’m saying this?
This is the case because the sale history will tell you how much money the vehicle was sold in the past and also how many owners it had.
By learning how to track my car by VIN you will have great input on the sale history of the vehicle and where and when it was sold and for how much money. This is all the information you need when you want to purchase a used vehicle.
That’s how you will not get scammed by people convincing you that the car was driven by a grandma. If the vehicle was sold a number of times, then it means that there is something wrong with it. Especially if it’s an auction vehicle that you are planning to purchase.
Learning the sale history will save you a ton of time and money. That’s why you need to look online and learn how to track my car by VIN and learn more about your favorite car that you want to purchase.
3. You Want To Locate Your Old High School Car
Another reason why you would want to learn how to track my car by VIN is to locate a car that you previously had. We are people and we sometimes get emotional and have an episode when we want to remind ourselves of the good old days.
Everyone had that high school Camaro back in the ’90s. You had to sell it after you finished high school to save some money for college and you had been thinking, where is my Camaro, is it good or is it crushed by a junkyard crusher? These questions bother me now when I’m at this age in life to learn more of what is going on with my past cars.
That’s why you need to learn the answer to the question of how to track my car by VIN? Knowing the VIN will make you a few clicks away from finding out the destiny of your high school car or any car that you loved and has left a big impact on your life.
That’s why in the following chapters we are going to see the ways that you can use to track your car by VIN and help you out in your pursuit for this specific vehicle. So, if you want to learn more, follow along till the end.
How To Track My Car By VIN – 3 Methods
Now we came to the important bit and that is how to track my car by VIN. This will greatly help you out in tracking your car and learning more about its history.
But we need to clear out some things first. Locating a car based on a VIN is impossible. You might get a hold of the history and the city in which the car was last registered and that’s it. You cannot expect that if you try to track your car by VIN that you will get an exact location with GPS where your car is located.
I’m sorry if I disappoint you but that’s how things go and you should know what to expect. You cannot get the location of the vehicle just by knowing the VIN.
In the following few chapters, we are going to cover the ways that you can try to track my car by VIN if it was stolen or if in case you want to learn its sale history and see if it was stolen, lost, or even salvaged. So, let’s begin.
Method 1: Find The Vehicle With The VIN Number
Now let’s say that you want to learn the vehicle’s history and learn the locations that this car was registered as well as to see if it has a salvage title or other type of title that isn’t a clean title.
The only way to do so, you can do by checking the VIN that is located on the car or in your documents. If you don’t have the title this can be a pain since you need to rely on the plate that was inserted on the vehicle and sometimes these plates get worn, rusted, and damaged. But it is what it is. You need to rely on this and try to track my car by VIN.
Then when you got the VIN you can try your luck and get a Carfax report on it. Carfax is a website where you can dive into the vehicle’s history and see what you can find on that specific vehicle. Many sale websites like Autotrader and other types of websites offer free Carfax reports for the vehicles that are sold there.
If your car was stolen let’s say, there are also other websites that you can use to track my car by VIN, such as the one offered by the NICB.
On this website, you will get all the reports from the past 5 years and see if the car was lost, stolen, or salvaged and in some cases, it will show the current location if the location is available. So, you might want to give it a try.
Method 2: File A Report To The Police If The Car Was Stolen
Another way to track my car by VIN is to file a report to the police. Let’s say that your car was stolen or taken away from you by someone close to you and he doesn’t want to return it to you.
In this case, you need to file a report that the car was stolen. For this, you will be required to have your title, registration documents, and also the VIN that is located on the title. This number along with the registration number is the most important when it comes to locating the car across the country.
The car could be a few states away. So, it might be a little bit difficult to find it. But if you file a report and claim that your car was stolen, the authorities will look for your car across the country and who knows, somewhere it might pop out.
If you want to speed things up, you might want to try the first method that we covered and try to learn how to track my car by VIN. Knowing the place where the car is located, will speed up the search for your car, and eventually, the car will appear somewhere.
Method 3: Check Auction Websites Where Your Vehicle Might Get Listed
If your car got stolen and you cannot find it. You might want to take a look at websites that have car auctions like Copart. Because your car might pop up over there.
Maybe the car was stolen and was found by the police. Then the police couldn’t locate the owner of the car if there were no license plates.
So, consequently, the car could’ve ended up at auction. Keeping your eye on the auctions is key if you want to find a lost car. Because you never know what you will see over there. There are a ton of cars that are salvaged.
Method 4: Spread The Word On The Internet
Another way to track my car by VIN is to spread the word over the internet. There are a ton of Facebook groups about tracking my car by VIN.
If the car is driven, there could be someone that will notice it. And when they notice it, they will report it to you and you will have the location of the car. It’s as simple as that. And if you find the location of the car, then things are pretty straightforward.
You call the local authorities and tell them that your car is there. You give them the VIN and other information and they will find your vehicle in no time.
Methods To Always Track Your Car
There are also ways that you can use to track your car. And make sure that you always know where it is. These are better methods because with track my car by VIN is impossible to learn the present location of the vehicle. So, what are the security measures that you can make? In order always to locate your car and know where it is? Let’s learn in the following chapter.
Install A GPS Device
Installing a GPS device is the best thing that you can do if you want to track your car all the time. This device is a transponder that emits a signal to your mobile phone and tells you where your car is located. You can use something simple as an Air Tag to do so. This is crazy considering the life of the battery that is in this thing. It will last you probably for a few months.
Another way to go is to get a specific product that is intended for car tracking on Amazon. We are going to list some of these products that might be of your interest. Some of them are one of the best rated when it comes to GPS tracking devices. These devices will find your car in an instant. Without relying on to track my car by VIN (and how to track a car). Here are some of the products:
- Brickhouse Security Spark Nano 7 GPS Tracker
- Tracki (2022) 4G LTE Mini GPS Tracker magnetic. Full USA &Worldwide Coverage
- LandAirSea 54 GPS Tracker, – USA Manufactured, Waterproof Magnet Mount
Install A Security Camera At Your Home
Another thing you can do is to install motion capture security cameras in your garage and your driveway. Having these cameras will help you in case of car theft. If your car gets stolen you can use this information to find the thief and also find the car in the process. Which is excellent. These cameras are also quite affordable too.
- Zmodo Outdoor Camera Wireless, 1080p Security Camera Wireless
- Security Camera Outdoor, Wansview 1080P Wired WiFi IP66 Waterproof Surveillance Home Camera
With these cameras, you will never have to worry if your car gets stolen. Since you will always know who did it unless they are masked. That’s why using a GPS locator, plus security cameras are key to keeping your car location always in check.
The Ultimate Guide to Tracking Your Car Using Its VIN
If you’ve ever lost your car or had it stolen, you know how frustrating and stressful it can be. Fortunately, modern technology makes it possible to track your car using its unique VIN. Here’s what you need to know to get started:
- Understanding the VIN: Your car’s VIN is a 17-digit code that identifies the make, model, and year of your vehicle, as well as its unique serial number. You can find the VIN on the driver’s side dashboard or door jamb, or on your vehicle registration and insurance documents.
- Using a VIN Tracking Service: Many companies offer VIN tracking services that allow you to monitor your vehicle’s location and status in real-time. Some popular options include LoJack, OnStar, and CarLock. These services often require a subscription fee, but they can provide valuable peace of mind and help you recover your car if it’s ever stolen.
- DIY VIN Tracking: If you prefer to track your car on your own, you can use a variety of tools and techniques. For example, you can install a GPS tracker on your car, use a VIN barcode scanner to record your car’s location at regular intervals, or set up a geofence around your home or workplace to receive alerts if your car leaves the area.
- Protecting Your Privacy: While VIN tracking can be a valuable tool, it’s important to remember that it can also be used to track your own movements. Be sure to research the privacy policies of any VIN tracking service you use, and consider using a DIY approach if you’re concerned about your personal data.
Why Every Car Owner Should Know How to Track Their Vehicle with VIN
The benefits of tracking your car with its VIN go far beyond recovering a stolen vehicle. Here are just a few reasons why every car owner should know how to use VIN tracking:
- Peace of Mind: Knowing that you can track your car at any time can provide valuable peace of mind, especially if you have children or other family members who use the vehicle.
- Accident Monitoring: In the event of an accident, VIN tracking can help you quickly locate your vehicle and assess the extent of the damage.
- Maintenance Monitoring: By tracking your car’s mileage and location, you can also monitor your vehicle’s maintenance needs and schedule service appointments accordingly.
- Improved Resale Value: A car with a documented maintenance history and VIN tracking records can be more attractive to potential buyers, leading to a higher resale value.
Safeguard Your Car with VIN Tracking: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you’re ready to start tracking your car with its VIN, here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:
- Locate your VIN: As mentioned earlier, you can find your car’s VIN on the driver’s side dashboard or door jamb, or on your vehicle registration and insurance documents.
- Choose a tracking method: Decide whether you want to use a VIN tracking service, a DIY approach, or a combination of both.
- Research tracking services: If you decide to use a VIN tracking service, research the available options and choose a service that fits your needs and budget.
- Install tracking equipment: If you’re using a DIY approach, install any necessary tracking equipment, such as a GPS tracker or barcode scanner.
- Test your tracking system: Once your tracking system is in place, test it to make sure it’s working correctly.
- Monitor your vehicle: Whether you’re using a tracking service or a DIY approach, be sure to monitor your car regularly to ensure that it’s safe and secure.
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Conclusion To Track My Car By Vin
In this article, we have learned a lot when it comes to tracking a car by VIN. First, we covered what is a VIN and where you can locate this VIN on your car.
Then we covered the possible reasons why you would need to learn how to track my car by VIN. As we said, sometimes these reasons can be out of sentimental nature. Sometimes if we want to purchase a specific vehicle and sometimes if the car was stolen.
Then we learned the ways that you can use to track a car by VIN. What is important though is that you cannot locate the exact location with the VIN. The closest you can get is the town or the state where the car is located based on the registration info or the sale information.
Then we have covered a few methods that you can use to track my car by VIN. And also other alternative ways to track a specific vehicle. Lastly, we learned how you can secure your vehicle with a GPS tracker.
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