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Man checking his vehicle's VIN number.

VIN Ireland: How to check it

The VIN number, known as VIN Ireland in Ireland, is an essential code for tracking your warranty, registrations or theft.
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January 3, 20252 min read

VIN Ireland is the common name by which the VIN code, or VIN number, of your vehicle is known in Ireland.  

Knowing your vehicle's VIN can help you in many ways. It is crucial for registration, insurance and legal processes.  

In this article we tell you why this identifier is important, what it is used for and how to check it on your vehicle. 

What is VIN Ireland?

The VIN number in Ireland, also known as the vehicle chassis number or chassis decoder, is an alphanumeric code made up of 17 characters.  

In the automotive industry, this code is used to identify each vehicle in accordance with the ISO 3780 international standard and no two cars share the same code.  

All vehicles built from 1981 onwards carry this identification, which is when standardisation began.  

In addition, the VIN code provides information on the manufacturer's characteristics and specifications such as year of manufacture, model, country of origin, etc.  

It is especially important for tracking registrations, vehicle recalls, warranty coverage or theft.  

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On older cars, the VIN code may contain 12 characters instead of 17. This is because it was manufactured before the code was standardized in 1981.

How to check my Irish VIN number

Finding the Irish VIN number, as with others, can be a tricky task.  

Here are the most common places to check:  

  • Dashboard, near the windscreen.  
  • Driver's door frame  
  • Vehicle registration or insurance documents  

For motorbikes, the VIN is usually found on the steering collar or engine casing. Always confirm its visibility and accuracy.

Before buying a used vehicle

There are many risks when buying a second-hand vehicle, including the risk of it being stolen.  

Sometimes the VIN code is substituted by thieves to make it untraceable.  

If you ask a company to check the code, you can be sure that the vehicle has not been stolen.  

Also, if you are thinking of importing a second hand vehicle, it is very likely that you will need a new Certificate of Conformity. By entering your VIN Ireland number you can find out which certificate of conformity you need and what the price is.

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