Guides
Guides to a car's details and numbers
What the numbers on a car and its paperwork mean, where to find them and what they tell you before you buy: the chassis number and VIN, the model year code, the engine code and engine number, and the V5C logbook.
Each guide answers one question about a car's identity in plain English, from official sources listed at the end of every page: GOV.UK, the DVLA, the DVSA and legislation. 4 guides so far, last updated 9 November 2026.
The VIN and chassis number
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The VIN and chassis number · 7 min read
How do I find my chassis number online?
The free DVLA and MOT lookups do not show a chassis number, but you can still find yours online: from an MOT certificate, the DVLA or a report by reg. -
The VIN and chassis number · 6 min read
How to tell a car's year from its VIN
A VIN decoder by year in one table: what the 10th character means, the 30-year cycle, and why a UK car's age is best checked by its registration.
Engine code and engine number
The V5C logbook
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