The VIN is the car's fingerprint — 17 characters that identify that exact vehicle — and it is the only reliable way to check whether a specific car has an open recall or a history the seller didn't mention.
Where to find it, and how to verify it
The VIN is usually visible through the windscreen at the base of the driver's side, on a sticker in the driver's door jamb, and on the registration document. Check that all of them match. A mismatch is a serious red flag.
It is always 17 characters and never uses the letters I, O or Q — a 'VIN' containing those is not a VIN.
What to do with it
Run it through the manufacturer's recall lookup or your national safety authority to see whether any recall is still open on that exact car. Recalls apply to specific build ranges, so the model-year list is the starting point and the VIN is the answer.
Then use a history check for write-offs, outstanding finance, mileage records and stolen status. Look the model-year up on MotorHangar first to know what recalls and common problems to expect, then verify the individual car.
