How to Check the VIN, Chassis Number and Engine Number of Your Bike

What is a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)?

A VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a 17-character code of letters and numbers that gives an identity to a specific vehicle. Think of it as your bike's fingerprint—no two bikes can ever share the same VIN. Hence, a VIN gives a vehicle its identity and contains important information, such as the bike's manufacturing year and location, which is useful when purchasing or selling a second-hand bike.

Importance of the VIN

Here are three main reasons explaining the importance of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN):

• Ownership Conformation: A vehicle's VIN helps confirm its ownership history, including the bike's age, especially when purchasing or selling a second-hand bike.
• Recalls and Insurance: It helps provide details on recalls about renewing your bike insurance policy on time.
• Database Access: Using the VIN, you can check the database to find any suspicious activity associated with your vehicle.

What is the History of the VIN?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration introduced standardization in 1981 to design a 17-character format, which is still used today. However, certain letters like O, I, and Q were excluded to avoid confusion with the numerical (0-10).

What are the Components of the VIN?

There are three components of the VIN, explained below:

• World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI): The first three characters give the identity of the bike's manufacturer, the vehicle's manufacturer, and the country of origin.
• Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS): The following four to nine characters provide details about the vehicle's specifications, such as model, variant, and body type.
• Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS): Ten to seventeen characters are the last one and depict the vehicle's identification features, such as engine and transmission details.

How to Find a Bike's VIN?

Usually, the VIN is located in two of the common places in a vehicle:

• Steering Neck: You must turn the handlebars and find the VIN on the steering neck.
• Engine of the Vehicle: Another place to find the VIN stamped is near your vehicle's engine.

If you cannot find or have trouble locating it, contact the manufacturer or dealer of the two-wheeler.

What is a Bike's Chassis Number?

Another significant and unique identification number is your bike's chassis number. The last six characters of the chassis number are essential to the VIN, which is similar to and often used interchangeably with it.

How to Find the Bike's Chassis Number?

To find your bike's chassis number, you must first locate the VIN. It is usually found near the handle or motor of the bike. Otherwise, you can check your bike's owner manual or RC to find the chassis number.

How to Check Chassis Number Online?

Another method to check your bike's chassis number is through the government-authorized VAHAN website. However, only authorized users, such as banks and insurance companies, can access information related to the chassis number using the registration number.

What is the Engine Number?

Now comes the vehicle's engine number, another unique identification number. It is a factory-issued number engraved on the engine and should not be confused with the VIN.

How to Find a Bike's Engine Number?

To find the motorcycle's engine number, check it directly on the engine. However, you might need to view it from a different angle. Alternatively, this number is also listed in the owner's manual and the bike's RC.

How to Check the Engine Number Online?

Similar to your bike's chassis number, the engine number can also be checked on the government web portal VAHAN, but access is restricted to authorized users.