Your VIN (vehicle identification number) is 17 letters and numbers, and never uses I, O, or Q.
Where to look
- Your registration and insurance card
- The base of the windshield on the driver's side, visible from outside
- The sticker on the driver's door jamb
- Your title or loan paperwork
Why it matters
The same model can come with different brakes, engines, or trim parts. A VIN lets shops quote the exact parts for your car, and lets you check for open recalls.