A Thorough Guide on How to Track a Car by VIN

Sirisha

Updated: May 31, 2023

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Have you ever tried desperately trying to figure out the whereabouts of your car?

You know the feeling: frustration, helplessness, and a nagging worry that something might have gone wrong.

While tracking a car’s real-time location solely based on the VIN is not feasible, because the VIN itself doesn’t contain GPS or tracking capabilities. The good news is that technology has brought us modern solutions to track a car by its VIN. 

And the best part: a simple, accessible resource such as a background check can make all the difference in your search.

In this article, discover how to track your car using its VIN. 

Can you track a car’s location using its VIN?

The VIN is a specific code assigned to each vehicle, and it serves as a crucial identifier when researching a car’s background.

While the VIN is an essential identifier for a vehicle, it does not provide real-time location-tracking capabilities.

However, numerous approaches can help determine a car’s location, which is combining VIN with other tools.

Discover the different ways you can determine the location of your car using the methods below.

1. National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB)

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) is an organization focused on combating insurance fraud and vehicle theft. 

Here’s how the NICB can assist in tracking a car’s location using its VIN:

Step 1: Visit their official website and access the VINCheck search.

Step 2: Enter the VIN of the car you’d like to track.

Step 3: Once you have entered the VIN, submit the request to initiate the search.

Step 4: Review the results based on the provided VIN.

You may want to explore specialized lookup tools if you require more advanced tracking capabilities and real-time location information.

They go beyond the scope of NICB’s database and can provide more comprehensive data on a vehicle’s history and current location.

2. Use LookUp Tools

Different Lookup tools can help track a car’s location using its VIN. You can access databases that compile information related to a vehicle’s history and current status.

These tools can help you track a car’s location by providing data such as the following:

• Registration records
• Ownership History
• Recent sales transactions

Analyzing these details can gain you insights into the car’s whereabouts and potentially locate it.

BeenVerified

BeenVerified is a safe and well-known online platform that offers a wide range of public records search services.

While primarily known for its people search capabilities, BeenVerified also provides access to vehicle history records.

Here’s a step-by-step procedure on how to do it:

Step 1: Visit the BeenVerified website and log into your account.

Step 2: Access the vehicle search feature.

Step 3: Enter the car’s VIN you’d like to track.

Step 4: Initiate the search for BeenVerified to start retrieving information related to the vehicle.

Step 5: Review the results and analyze the information.

BeenVerified offers additional features, such as reverse address lookup or mapping tools, which can help you further track the car’s location.

Also, their subscription plans offer unlimited access to reports and searches during the period. 

The best thing about BeenVerified is that they offer a $1 trial for 7 days. 

In addition to BeenVerified, another practical tool for tracking a car using its VIN is EpicVIN.

EpicVIN

EpicVIN is an online platform that specializes in comprehensive vehicle history reports. Along with detailed information about a vehicle’s past, it can also track a car based on its VIN.

The platform allows users to access crucial data points about a car’s whereabouts by leveraging the vast database and industry connections.

Below are steps on using EpicVIN to track a car using its VIN:

Step 1: Go to the EpicVIN website.

Step 2: Create an account or log in.

Step 3: Access the vehicle history report feature.

Step 4: Enter the car’s VIN you’d like to track.

Step 5: Initiate the search.

Step 6: Review the vehicle history report.

If you prefer a more direct approach to tracking a car using its VIN, contacting your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can be a viable option.

3. Call Your Local DMV

The DMV is a government agency responsible for vehicle registration and records. By reaching out to them, you can inquire about a car based on its VIN and access official records that can give you insights.

Consulting your local DMV allows you to tap into their authoritative resources and expertise in tracking vehicles, ensuring accurate and reliable information.

Here are detailed instructions on contacting your local DMV to track a car using its VIN:

Step 1: Determine your local DMV online or check your local government’s website.

Step 2: Gather the necessary information before contacting your local DMV to ensure you have readily available details.

Step 3: Locate contact information for your local DMV.

Step 4: Call the DMV office responsible for vehicle registration.

Step 5: Inquire about tracking a car by its VIN.

Step 6: Follow the DMV’s instructions.

Step 7: Provide necessary documentation.

Step 8: Await the DMV’s response, then review the provided data.

Knowing where to find this unique identifier is essential to track a car’s location or accessing vehicle history using the VIN.

Where Can You Find a Car’s VIN?

You can find a car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) in several locations, both on the vehicle itself and its associated documents.

Here are some familiar places to look for a car’s VIN:

• The metal plate or sticker at the base of the windshield, near the dashboard.
• On a metal plate on the door jamb.
• On the firewall or near the engine block.
• On the vehicle registration documents.
• On your car insurance paperwork, card, or policy documents.
• On the vehicle title document.

Now that you know where to find a car’s VIN learning this identifier’s information is necessary.

Bottom Line

Tracking a car’s location using its VIN has become more accessible with various tools and resources available.

Although the VIN does not provide real-time tracking capabilities, combining it with other methods can help determine a car’s whereabouts.