Where to locate car engine numbers?

This blog post will answer the question, ‘Where to locate car engine numbers?’, and cover topics like why are car engine numbers important, places to look for finding out a car engine number, and other important car numbers and where to find them.

Where to locate car engine numbers?

The car engine numbers can be located by looking in the following places of the car:

  • Car engine
  • The registration certificate
  • The car dealership
  • The insurance policy document
  • Car owner’s manual

Why are car engine numbers important?

Car engine numbers are crucial bits of information that are to be kept protected and confidential as they contain coded information about the make, place of manufacture, date, and model of the car for maintenance purposes.

Car engine numbers are stuck on to a vehicle after it has been manufactured and assigned to a customer, this is also done to reduce car thefts. 

In case of a stolen car being used or driven, any appeals to the insurance policy will result in it getting rejected. If the police or any authoritative body happens to inspect the car and finds that the car engine number is missing, the car suffers the risk of getting impounded and the owner can get arrested too in extreme scenarios.

Places to look for finding out a car engine number

A car engine number can be located by checking certain parts of the car for a 10-digit coded number that is often not visible as it is made to look small for maintaining strict confidentiality.

Usually, a car engine number is a six-digit one and it comes right after three digits at the beginning. This means that the first three digits represent the engine code and the last six digits denote the car engine number

To locate the car engine number, it is a common practice to check the following areas in the car.

Car engine

The first place to look for a car engine number is on the car engine body. After manufacturing the car, it is made sure that the car engine number is easily visible by imprinting it on a sticker made of metal. One can easily spot it after opening the hood of the car.

Registration certificate of the car

After purchasing a car, an entry needs to be made in a registry to declare the car as a valid entity in the particular country and that it is the sole property of the customer who bought it.

The car engine number is also provided on the registration certificate of the car and can be spotted there.

The insurance policy document

Car insurance is a necessity for every car. Having insurance for the car helps in times of urgent need like an accident, sudden malfunctioning of the car, etc.

 Although it is important to make sure the correct insurance policy is being chosen as different insurance providers offer different criteria for repairs.

After applying for a particular insurance policy, the insurance providers will send a document of agreement, declaring that they will be providing aid when urgent situations call for it. One can easily locate the car engine number included in this very document.

The car dealership

In case the car engine number has been forgotten or cannot be located, it is advisable to book an appointment or at least call up the car dealership. They can come in handy as they have the means to easily trace the car engine number.

The car owner’s manual

This is another place to locate the car engine number in case the above methods and places do not uncover it. The owner’s manual is exclusive to the particular car and its model as every car model varies and has different features. 

The owner’s manual shows the exact location of the car engine number and in some cases also provides a picture for better representation.

Other important car numbers and where to find them

These are some other important numbers related to a car and the places to look for them.

Vehicle identification number

The vehicle identification number or a VIN is a unique identification number and is used to register the car as a valid entity in the country by the regional transport office(RTO).

A vehicle identification number is usually a 17-digit coded number that helps in distinguishing a car of a particular model from other models.

They are interpreted as follows:

DigitMeaning
1st digitPlace of manufacture of the car
2nd and 3rd digit Manufacturer details
4th to 8th digitsBrand, engine type, engine capacity, type of fuel used
9th digitCar security code
10th digitYear of manufacture of the car
11th digitPlace of manufacture of the car
Last 6 digitsUnique car serial number

The vehicle identification number can be found in the following places:

  • It can be found on the registration certificate of the car that has been provided after registering it in the regional transport office(RTO)
  • In some cases the VIN can be located on the car dashboard towards the driver side
  • VIN’s are also stuck on the metal strip at the driver side door, precisely the car’s B pillar
  • It can also be located by opening the hood and looking on the part that attaches to the engine
  • VIN is also in some cases stuck underneath the car’s spare wheel
  • It can be located above the rear wheel by looking at the wheel well
  • Other places include the insurance policy document of the car or consulting the car dealership to trace it
  • In some cars, the VIN can also be found stuck under the front grille of the car

Research has shown how these different car numbers can be checked online along with the steps to follow.

Conclusion

This blog post addressed the question, ‘Where to locate car engine numbers?’.

We understood the reason behind car engine numbers being so important for both the car and the owner. Furthermore, we came across the different places to look for a car engine number and other important car numbers that are associated with the same. Please feel free to comment on the content or ask any questions in the comments section below.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs): Where to locate car engine numbers?

What does engine number tell you?

A car engine number is a unique code that contains valuable information like the make, date of manufacture, place of manufacture, etc.

Is engine number same as VIN?

The car engine number is totally different from a VIN. A VIN provides general details about the car itself while the car engine number only contains information about the car engine block.

Is engine number unique to car?

A car engine number is a unique code made exclusively for a car and it contains valid and confidential information about the car and helps to distinguish one car from another.

References

https://www.acko.com/car-guide/find-chassis-number-vin-and-engine-number-of-your-car/
https://www.reliancegeneral.co.in/Insurance/Knowledge-Center/Blogs/Easy-Ways-to-Find-Chassis-VIN-and-Engine-Numbers.aspx