Last updated: October 2026
A VIN, or Vehicle Identification Number, is a 17 character code that identifies one specific vehicle. Buyers use it to check a car’s history before they hand over money. In most cases you should share it with a genuine buyer, and doing so usually helps you sell faster.
What a VIN Is
Every car built for the Australian market since 1989 has a unique 17 character VIN. It is made up of letters and numbers, but never the letters I, O or Q, so they cannot be confused with 1 and 0. Older cars may have a shorter chassis number instead.
Where to Find Your VIN
- On a plate at the base of the windscreen on the driver’s side.
- On the compliance or build plate, often in the engine bay or door jamb.
- On your registration certificate and insurance papers.
What a VIN Tells a Buyer
The code itself shows the manufacturer, model details, build year and factory. More useful for buyers is what it unlocks. With the VIN, a buyer can run a PPSR search for a few dollars and see whether:
- There is money owing on the car to a lender.
- The car has been recorded as written off.
- The car has been reported stolen.
If your car still has finance, read how a finance payout works when selling before you list it.
Should You Share It?
Yes, with buyers who are clearly genuine. A car with nothing to hide sells more easily when the buyer can check it, and refusing to share the VIN makes many buyers walk away. A VIN on its own does not give anyone access to your personal details.
Some sensible limits:
- Share it once a buyer is genuinely interested, not in every message to every enquiry.
- Do not send photos of your licence or registration papers with it. Those carry personal details that scammers want.
- Be wary of anyone who asks for the VIN and then pushes you to pay for a “report” through a link they send.
Our guide to car selling scams in Melbourne covers the common tricks.
Selling to a Licensed Buyer
When you sell to us, we use the VIN to confirm the car and check for finance or write off records. If there is finance owing, we pay out the lender directly and pay you any balance. You get a price from your photos straight away and payment on the spot. Start on our sell my car page.
Sharing the VIN is also the first step in getting an accurate cash for cars offer from us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a VIN?
A Vehicle Identification Number is a unique 17 character code that identifies one specific vehicle. It is on the windscreen plate, the build or compliance plate and your registration papers.
Is it safe to share my VIN with a buyer?
Generally yes, with a genuine buyer. The VIN does not reveal your personal details. Avoid sending photos of your licence or registration papers with it.
What can a buyer find out from my VIN?
With a PPSR search, a buyer can see whether money is owing on the car, whether it has been written off and whether it has been reported stolen.
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About the author: Written by Steve, owner of Victorian Car Buyers, a licensed motor car trader (LMCT 12395) based in Delahey, Melbourne.