The vehicle identification number (VIN) is composed of 17 characters (digits and capital letters) that act as a unique identifier for the vehicle. A VIN displays the car's unique features, specifications and manufacturer.
The VIN can be found in a couple of places including on the car's registration label (1), on the compliance plate in the engine bay (2) or on the passenger side windshield (3), or on one of the door posts (where the door latches when it is closed) (4). See the image below:
If you’re in Western Australia (WA) and looking to buy a used car or other motor vehicle, be careful. Whether you’re in Perth or elsewhere in WA, a REVS Check should be your first port of call before you commit to purchasing a used car - this vehicle check uncovers any debt that may be owing on the vehicle.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, WA has recorded the largest increase (14%) in registrations for Passenger vehicles across the whole nation from 2010 to 2015, and WA is the second state/territory in Australia with the highest number of vehicles per 1,000 population, with Tasmania leading the way in the first position.
If you find your car is encumbered after you’ve bought it in WA, it could be repossessed at any moment. A REVS Check can eliminate your risk of ending up with a lemon. Free REVS checks can be conducted by the local RTA (Roads and Maritime Service). However, to be fully protected you’ll need to contribute a few dollars for a certificate, which provides conditional legal protection against car repossession should creditors come knocking at your door.
The average REVS check in WA includes only a small part of a car’s full history, so you shouldn’t count on it to give you complete confidence in your second-hand vehicle purchase. Information not covered by REVS can be found in a CarHistory report from Veda. CarHistory reports include data from Government and industry sources such as Vcheck, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries and NVIS as well as REVs.
Our vehicle check reports include information like:
The report can flag if an odometer has been tampered with. It also includes a current valuation of your car so you know your seller isn’t exaggerating its value.
All these vehicle checks may seem excessive, but they are important. Research conducted in 2010 showed that Australian used car buyers lost an average of $4,116 each after buying a dud car – as a result of either a drop in value or additional repair costs. By contrast, CarHistory reports are available for under $40 just by doing a simple VIN Check.
To get your car check report, simply enter the vehicle’s VIN Number and your insights can be at your fingertips in seconds.