# Vehicle Serial Number (VIN) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 6, 2001, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vehicle-serial-number-vin/91895 "2001-11-06T23:50:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lamsai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5daacb/32.png) [@Lamsai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamsai)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2001, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vehicle-serial-number-vin/91895/1 "2001-11-06T23:50:33Z")
I am about to purchase a car (Honda) and would like to know where it was assembled, when it was assembled, model year, color etc. I understand that all the information is contained in the VIN. How do I decode the number? I am based in Thailand and even the dealers here cannot be trusted to give you all the information. ---
**Author:** ![Stupendous\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a8b319/32.png) [@Stupendous\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stupendous_man)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2001, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vehicle-serial-number-vin/91895/2 "2001-11-06T23:58:57Z")
These should help you out: [http://www.boydins.com/vin2.htm](http://www.boydins.com/vin2.htm) and [http://www.exriders.com/tech/vin.shtml](http://www.exriders.com/tech/vin.shtml) The big thing to watch for is making sure the VIN tags on the dashboard and the doors match. If they do not, don’t buy the car, becasue there is something big to hide. ---
**Author:** ![Santos\_L\_Halper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/santos_l_halper/32/1_2.png) [@Santos\_L\_Halper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santos_L_Halper)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2001, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vehicle-serial-number-vin/91895/3 "2001-11-07T03:26:06Z")
I don’t think the VIN will tell you things like color or options. I know for Mazda (and presumably Honda too), the VIN contains: Country Company Vehicle type Model Body Style Model year Factory where it was produced Sequence number. Much of the build info should be on a sticker in the door jamb (it is in the US, anyway). Eric ---
**Author:** ![WEW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8edcca/32.png) [@WEW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WEW)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2001, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vehicle-serial-number-vin/91895/4 "2001-11-07T06:49:17Z")
When I was buying insurance over the phone, the person on the other end was able to tell me everything about my vehicle except color and amenities. It was pretty amazing I thought. But then, I am easily entertained. ---
**Author:** ![hibernicus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hibernicus/32/2802_2.png) [@hibernicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hibernicus)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2001, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vehicle-serial-number-vin/91895/5 "2001-11-07T08:33:47Z")
okay, if you’re based in Thailand, and buying a Honda manufactured in Japan, 1. there will not be a VIN 2. there will be a chassis number, but it may have 10 digits rather than 17 3. if so you will not be able to decode it in the same way as the 17-digit VIN that is standard in the USA, Europe, Australia and NZ 4. there will be no dashboard or door VIN tags 5. you can read the chassis number off a plate riveted to the bodywork under the hood, and it is also stamped on the bulkhead. These should match! I recommend you ask a main Honda dealer in Thailand to confirm the car’s details based on the chassis number.