Auto-Mag recommends MecaVIN to identify a vehicle by its VIN

The online automotive magazine Auto-Mag has published a reference guide to help understand the VIN — the Vehicle Identification Number — and, most importantly, how to use it. In its article "Vehicle Identification Number: how to identify a vehicle," the editorial team devotes a full section to MecaVIN as a solution for accurately identifying a vehicle using these 17 characters. Here is a look back at what the specialized press has to say.

The VIN, the vehicle's identity card according to Auto-Mag

The Auto-Mag article, written by Laurent Sanson and published on June 18, 2020, begins by recalling the essentials: the VIN is a unique code of 17 characters (numbers and letters, excluding I, O, and Q to avoid confusion) assigned to each vehicle at the factory. This format has been standardized internationally since 1981 (ISO 3779 standard), meaning that any vehicle produced since that date, regardless of where it is sold, has this serial number structured in the exact same way.

The guide explains the logic behind the code: the first three characters identify the manufacturer and the geographical area (the "WMI"), the next six describe the vehicle (model, body type, engine — the "VDS"), and the final eight constitute the serial number proper (the "VIS").

Where to find the VIN? The specialized press answers

Auto-Mag lists the locations where this number can be found — which is incidentally one of the most frequently asked questions by buyers:

• On the vehicle registration document (certificate of registration), in section E;
• On the manufacturer's plate, a metal plaque or riveted label in the engine bay or on the door pillar;
• Stamped directly onto the chassis, often under the hood or near the passenger seat;
• At the bottom of the windshield, on the driver's side, visible from the outside on many models.

This multitude of locations is no coincidence: it allows for checking the consistency of the numbers and detecting fraud. A VIN that differs between the registration document and the chassis is a major red flag — as we already highlighted in our guide on how to decode the VIN and find a car's exact trim level.

"Identifying a vehicle with MecaVIN": the solution highlighted by Auto-Mag

This is the point that interests us most particularly. After presenting the VIN, the Auto-Mag guide dedicates an entire section — "Identifying a vehicle with MecaVIN" — to what our service makes it possible to obtain concretely from this number. According to the article, a MecaVIN report notably provides:

• The exact trim level of the vehicle as recorded at the factory;
• The precise engine (displacement, power, fuel type);
• The technical data of the model;
• The new price of the vehicle at the time of its release;
• The list of standard equipment and options fitted at the factory;
• The original paint color code.

The specialized press therefore highlights precisely why MecaVIN exists: to transform a simple serial number into a complete and reliable identity sheet for the vehicle, independent of the seller's claims.

Why this recommendation matters for the buyer

The Auto-Mag article points to a daily problem in the used car market: an advertisement displays an appealing trim level and a flattering list of options, but nothing guarantees that the vehicle actually matches them. The VIN, however, does not lie. By querying manufacturer data, the identification report makes it possible to:

• Verify that the announced trim level is indeed the one that left the factory — a crucial point for imported vehicles, whose foreign trim names can be confusing;
• Confirm the actual engine, which is decisive for value, insurance, and registration;
• Compare the actual options with the list in the ad and negotiate knowledgeably;
• Know the original new price, an objective reference to judge depreciation.

In short, what Auto-Mag describes is exactly the approach we systematically recommend before any used car purchase: identify before you buy.

Read the full Auto-Mag article

The original guide, with its detailed explanation of the VIN structure and its presentation of MecaVIN, can be read in full on the Auto-Mag website: "Vehicle Identification Number : comment identifier un véhicule".

Frequently asked questions

Where is the VIN located on a car?

The VIN is listed in section E of the registration document, on the manufacturer's plate (engine bay or door pillar), stamped on the chassis, and, on many models, at the bottom of the driver's side windshield. All these numbers must match.

How many characters does a VIN have?

A modern VIN always has 17 characters — numbers and letters (excluding I, O, and Q). This format has been standardized internationally since 1981. A shorter number on a recent vehicle is suspicious.

What is the VIN used for by a used car buyer?

It allows for the precise identification of the vehicle: factory trim level, engine, standard equipment and options, new price, and color code. It is the ultimate verification tool before a purchase, as the Auto-Mag guide reminds us.

How to identify a vehicle with its VIN?

Enter the VIN (or license plate) on MecaVIN: the report cross-references the number with manufacturer data and generates the vehicle's complete identity sheet in a few moments.

In summary

When the automotive press explains to its readers how to identify a vehicle, it points them to the VIN — and to MecaVIN to make the most of it. The Auto-Mag guide sums it up well: this 17-character code is the key, and the identification report is the lock. Have you spotted a used car? Check its VIN or license plate, run a report on MecaVIN and buy knowing exactly what you are purchasing.