The chassis number consists of the last six digits of your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for your vehicle, therefore you will need to find the VIN in order to determine the chassis number. Cars and motorcycles display the VIN in different places, so where you check will depend on the type of vehicle you have. The engine number is the number that is stamped on your vehicle's engine. If you are having trouble finding the VIN or engine number on your vehicle, there are several places you can check.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Finding the VIN on a Car
Step 1. Review your documents
If you do not have access to your vehicle or if you do not want to go looking for the vehicle to find the VIN, there are several different documents that must include it. Some of the documents you can review are:
- qualification
- Registration card
- owner's manual
- insurance documents
- workshop repair records
- police reports
- vehicle history
Step 2. Look at your dashboard
The easiest place to find the VIN on your vehicle is right in the lower left corner of your dashboard. You should be able to read the number when checking your windshield on the driver's side of your car.
Step 3. Check the driver's side door
The VIN could also be on the driver's side jamb or on the door jamb. Open the driver's side door and look around the edges of the door for a small white tag.
- If your VIN is on the jamb, then it should be on the part of the jamb just below rearview mirror level.
- The VIN number may also be on the opposite side of the driver's side jamb, near where the driver's side seat belt hooks.
Step 4. Raise the hood
If you haven't found it anywhere else, you can raise your hood and check the front of the engine block. The VIN number can be written on the front of the engine block.
Step 5. Check the frame
Sometimes the VIN is written on the front of the vehicle's frame, somewhere near the washer fluid container. Head to the front of the car, raise the hood, find the washer fluid container, close the hood, and check the frame of the vehicle near this part of your vehicle to find the VIN.
Step 6. Pick up your spare tire
If you have a spare tire on the back of your trunk and you haven't found the VIN anywhere else, it might be there. Raise the trunk, remove the spare tire, and check the space where you usually keep the spare. The VIN can be written in this part.
Step 7. Take a look under the wheel compartment
Another place you can check is under the rear wheel compartment. Get to the back of your vehicle, get down on the ground, and look up at your wheel. Check both sides to see if the VIN is registered here.
You will likely need a flashlight to see the VIN if it is written there
Step 8. Write it down somewhere
Once you've found the VIN, be sure to write it down and save it to a file so you have easy access the next time you need it. Keep the VIN number in a physical file, save it in a file on your computer, or email it to yourself.
Step 9. Identify the chassis number
Remember that the chassis number consists of the last six digits of the VIN. Review the VIN you wrote down and dial the last six digits of the number to identify the chassis number of your vehicle.
Method 2 of 3: Finding the VIN of a Motorcycle, Scooter, or ATV
Step 1. Find the VIN on the head tube
The head tube is the most common place to find a VIN on a motorcycle. You can find the VIN by turning the handles to the side and checking the head tube, which is a metal cylinder that goes under the handles. The VIN must be etched into the metal.
You may have to check both sides of the head tube to find the VIN
Step 2. Check the motor
Sometimes the VIN is found on the motorcycle engine. If you can't find the VIN on the head tube, check the engine. The VIN should be near the bottom of the engine's cylinders.
Step 3. Check the front frame
For ATVs and some motorcycles, the VIN may be on the frame, but it is not always easy to find. You may have to look around a bit and use a flashlight to find the VIN that is stamped on the internal frame of a bike.
- Check the outside of the frame first. The VIN may be just below your bike's gear lever on the left side. If you can't find it on the outside of the bike, start checking on the inside of the frame.
- Some manufacturers stamp the VIN on specific parts of the frame. For example, Honda stamps the VIN on the right side of the steering head and also on the part of the frame just above the engine on the left side of the bike. Check with your manufacturer to see if there are specific parts to look for first.
Step 4. Remember to circle the last six digits
The last six digits of your motorcycle's VIN number make up your motorcycle's chassis number. Circle the last six digits to identify the chassis number.
Method 3 of 3: Find the Engine Number
Step 1. Check the motor
Your vehicle's engine number should be stamped right on the vehicle's engine. Raise the hood of the vehicle or check the motorcycle's engine from the side. You should see a label that clearly indicates the engine number.
Step 2. Check your owner's manual
If you can't find a label on your engine that tells you your engine number, check your owner's manual for this information. It should be within the first few pages of the manual.
Your owner's manual may also include a picture of where to find the engine number on the engine block
Step 3. Identify the engine number
The engine number is a six-digit number that follows the three-digit engine code. You may notice that the engine number includes three digits followed by six more digits. The first three digits will be the engine code and the last six digits will be the vehicle's engine number.