Dumb Questions/VIN#s

[wwr]

I must ask dumb questions or I'm paranoid. I can't seem to get much of a response when I ask questions here. So here goes another one. How do you check the VIN# on a car to get its real history. Is there a sight to this? Somehow I don't know if the dealer will do this for me.

wwr

 

[Patrick]

WWR,
If you're looking for a vehicle history report, you can try going to CarFax.com and entering the VIN#. I believe the cost to do this is about $19.99 for a single vehicle.


-Patrick

 

[Tuna]

The dealer service department can pull up a history of 'dealer' related repairs and service - recalls done/pending, warrantee work, etc.
CARFAX tries to do the same thing but many service shops do not report work done.
The previous owner may have all the service receipts.

What are you really looking for on your car? General info or something more specific?

 

[wwr]

History/Vin ???

Doesn't the VIN# tell you what is built on the car from the factory or how does that work?

wwr

 

[MsSchroder]

wwr,

I think you can get a factory build sheet based on the vin#, but I'm not sure the average dealer has access to this info.

 

[Chrisr]

WWR,
The VIN will tell you the year of the car and production number. As for options it may have come with, your going to have to get a build sheet for that info.

 

[Tuna]

The VIN will tell you
1 - what country - US=1
2 - what company - GM=G
3 - what make - Chevy=1
4 - what car line - Corvette=YY
5 - what body style - coupe=2
6 - what safety restraint system - belt&bag=2
7 - what engine - LS1=G
8 - random check digit
9 - model year
10 - assembly plant - BG=5
11 - production number - the last 6

That's all it's going to tell you. If you want more specific information, you have to look at the RPO sticker on the glove box lid (C5) and have a handy reference as to what all those codes mean.

 

[wwr]

Thanks

Thanks for the VIN answer.

wwr