How to Locate Motor Vehicle by VIN Number

Co-authored by Audra Fordin

Last Updated: September 22, 2022 References

A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is like a fingerprint: each vehicle has its own unique number. If your vehicle has been stolen, you can find it by running a vehicle history report. Because finding a stolen vehicle is difficult, you should use all available methods and involve the police.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Finding a Vehicle with Its VIN

1
Find your VIN. Your vehicle’s VIN should have 17 characters and be something like “2T3CU6EEOAUC12345.” You can normally find it on a sticker by the right hood latch or on the bottom left-hand side of the windshield. But if you don't have the car in your possession, you can also find it in other places like:^{[1]
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- The title or registration. Contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles if you don’t have a copy on you.
- Your insurance documents. If your insurance documents were in the vehicle, you can contact your insurer and ask for the number.
- The owner’s manual. Sometimes a VIN is listed there.
2
Obtain a vehicle history report. A vehicle’s VIN will be entered into a database whenever someone registers, titles, or services a vehicle. You can get a vehicle history report from a variety of companies, such as AutoCheck or CarFax. Although there are companies that offer “free” reports, their reports contain only generic information.
- Visit a website and order by paying with a credit card. The report should pull up automatically.
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3
Review the report. It should show a chronological list of places where the vehicle was titled, registered, and serviced. Look for the most recent service or registration: your vehicle might be there.^{[2]
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4
Search the VINCheck database. The vehicle might have been in an accident and junked. The National Insurance Crime Bureau has created a website you can search to see if the vehicle has been reported as stolen or salvaged. The website is https://www.nicb.org/theft_and_fraud_awareness/vincheck.
- VINCheck will peruse all reports of stolen, salvaged, and lost vehicles from the past five years. It will show the current location, if available.
5
Contact the authorities where your vehicle is located. You might find that the vehicle is currently in a different state or county. Contact the police in that area and explain that your vehicle has been stolen. Offer to fax them a copy of your police report and vehicle history report. They should investigate and get the vehicle back.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Reporting to the Police

1
Gather important information about the vehicle. The police will need as much identifying information as possible. Collect the following:^{[3]
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- The vehicle’s year, make, and model.
- The vehicle’s color.
- The license plate number. You might not remember it, so call your insurer and explain that the vehicle is missing. They should be able to give you the license plate number.
2
Document information about the thief. The police will appreciate any leads you have about the thief. If you saw someone, write down what they looked like—gender, age, race, height, hair color, etc. Also note any distinguishing features, such as a limp.^{[4]
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3
Call the police. Call them as soon as possible. Report that you are the owner and that your vehicle has been stolen. They will take down the information about the vehicle.
- Request a copy of the police report, which you will need to show you insurer.
- If you are without transportation, ask the police to mail the report to you.
4
Find security video. If you didn’t see the thief, you can still search for security video footage from nearby businesses. Stop in with a copy of your police report and tell them someone stole your vehicle. Ask if you can see the security footage for the day in question.
- If you want, you can let the police contact the business owners about security footage. However, police are often swamped and might not get around to it.
- Many communities also have community security cameras. Stop into your town office to ask if you can view it.^{[5]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Other Methods to Find a Vehicle

1
Check your city’s transportation website. If your vehicle gets ticketed, the information should be entered into the city’s database. You’ll search by license plate number (not VIN). Go online and enter the information. If you can find the vehicle, call the police.^{[6]
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2
Look at online sales. Many thieves try to sell vehicles, usually online. They might publish photographs and other identifying information. Scroll through the listings to see if you can find your vehicle. The following are popular online marketplaces:
- Autotrader
- Craigslist
- Cars.com
- eBay Motors
3
Work with taxicab companies. Cab drivers are always driving around, so they can keep an eye out for your vehicle. Call up your local taxi cab company and describe your vehicle. Offer a reward if anyone finds it.^{[7]
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- Offer a large enough reward so that cabbies will have an incentive to check. If possible, offer more than $100.
4
Call OnStar or a similar company. Many vehicles come equipped with Onstar or similar technology that can track your vehicle using GPS. You should call the company to report that your vehicle is missing.^{[8]
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- Call OnStar at 1-888-4-ONSTAR. The company can remotely block the engine from starting.^{[9]
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Community Q&A

Question

How can I find my car that was auctioned off at a storage place?

Carol Shaver

Community Answer

In every case where I worked as a towing truck operator, the Sheriff was required to notify the last known owner of a sale, either by public notice or by certified letter.
Question

My cousin died and his car was sold months prior to his death. There is no receipt and the title was not transferred. I am the administrator of the estate and need to locate this car. What can I do?

Community Answer

Contact the motor vehicle department to the state i;n which the car was last registered in his name. It would probably be best to go in person with the paperwork showing that you are the executor of your cousin's estate. They will be able to look up the VIN number on their computer.
Question

My boyfriend took my car and parked it somewhere before he got arrested. How can I locate my car?

Community Answer

You could always go to where he is being held and ask him where it is.