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The VIN, or Vehicle Identification Number, is the unique "name" for your car that distinguishes it. Its 17 digits are necessary to identify the vehicle for insurance and registration purposes. It is also the key to the car's past and essential information.

History

The VIN number can help you find the history on a car you may want to purchase. This can tell you the title background, its registration history, past accidents, repair information and how the car was utilized.

Digits 1 to 3

These are the "World Manufacturer Identifier." These tell you in what country the car was made, the manufacturer, and what type of vehicle it is. The manufacturer is denoted by a letter. For example, a 1, 4 or 5 indicates that the car was assembled in the U.S. An N indicates that it was manufactured by Nissan.

Digits 4 to 9

These numbers describe the car's makeup, such as: the body style, the kind of transmission, the engine type and related information. The ninth digit has the special task of warning whether the number is fake. The federal Department of Transportation has a math formula that sets this number, making it difficult for criminals to make up on their own, according to Edmunds.com.

Digits 10 to 17

The 10th number designates the year the car was made. The 11th digit or letter indicates the plant where the car was produced. The last six numbers were established at the plant when the vehicle was constructed on the assembly line.

Source:

Edmunds.com: Driving Tips: Making Sense of Your VIN

Carfax: Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN's)