VIN check NZ: verify a vehicle's identity
A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique 17-character code. Most vehicles built since the 1980s have one from the factory; most Japanese-market imports have only a chassis number, so NZTA gives them a New Zealand VIN (starting 7AT) when they are first registered here. It is recorded on the NZTA Motor Vehicle Register against the vehicle’s plate.
A VIN on the vehicle that does not match the one on its certificate of registration is one of the clearest warning signs of vehicle identity fraud, so check it yourself before you buy. A MotorWeb VIR® then checks that vehicle’s records for stolen status, damage flags, odometer readings and money owing.
Where to find the VIN on a car
The VIN is usually in one or more of these locations:
- A metal plate in the engine bay or on the firewall
- Etched into the windscreen (usually bottom corner)
- On a sticker inside the driver’s door or door frame
- Stamped into the floor under the driver’s seat
If you cannot find the VIN, or if VINs in different locations on the vehicle do not match each other, that is a serious red flag. Walk away and report to NZ Police on 105 if you suspect the vehicle is stolen or re-birthed.
What a VIN check reveals
Stolen status
MotorWeb checks whether the vehicle is reported stolen. A stolen flag means the vehicle should not be bought or driven. See what to do if a vehicle is flagged as stolen.
Security mismatches
If money is owed on the vehicle, the report also compares the plate, VIN, chassis, make, model and year on each registered security with the vehicle’s NZTA record, and flags any security mismatch.
Re-birthed vehicles
Re-birthing means giving a vehicle a false identity: typically a stolen car is given the VIN and plates of another vehicle, often a written-off one, so it looks legitimate. A VIR® shows any damage flags NZTA has recorded, but it cannot see the car itself, so check that the VINs on the vehicle match each other and its paperwork.
Odometer history
NZTA records odometer readings at each WOF inspection. A VIN check as part of a VIR® shows the odometer history and flags any inconsistencies, such as readings that decline over time.
Checks to do yourself
VIN and plate mismatch
Every VIN is tied to a specific plate on the NZTA register. Compare the VIN on the vehicle with the one on the certificate of registration. If they differ, the plates may have been swapped, the vehicle’s identity altered, or the record may contain an error.
VIN and chassis mismatch
Older vehicles often have a chassis number instead of or alongside a VIN. If the number on the vehicle differs from its paperwork, the vehicle may have had its identity altered, or the record may contain an error. In either case, investigate before buying.
VIN check vs plate check: which do I need?
In NZ, a MotorWeb VIR® is run by plate number. You do not need the VIN to start the check, but you can enter a 17-character VIN in the search box instead of a plate.
To search by chassis number, contact MotorWeb at support@motorweb.co.nz if you need help with this.