Invalid VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
We are purchasing a used 5th wheel (2014 Lifestyle) and when I contacted our insurance company to add the vehicle, they reported that the VIN is coming back as invalid. The insurance agent also indic...
Forum Discussion
wa8yxm wrote:
A police officer or Motor Carrier (Diesel smokey) may be able to help you as a favor.... I know back when I worked dispatch I had a book I could use to de-construct a vin (Tell you what it was) and if he's good enough (I was) construct a vin for the most part (I can't do the xxxxx part ) many dispatchers also have a program on their computer (I helped the author test it) that can help too.
The leading 1 means "Made in the USA" but beyond that. I can't tell you much after many years retired.
I too used to be able to "read" VINS; it was part of the job when I was in Public Safety. I remember the switch in 1981 to the standardized format. Also retired. H E R E - VIN Config is the meaning of each digit and some other useful information. There is a check digit, the ninth character, that is a calculated digit based on everything else. The 10th digit is the year. The actual serial sequence is the last 6 digits. This VIN format is standardized, regardless if an automobile, a trailer, a motorhome, a semi tractor, etc.
From the original post, it appears there's an error in the 6th character; a lower case f. Lower case letters are/were never used in the standardized format IIRC. Depending on the source of the OPs input for the sample VIN, that could be what's causing the problem. As suggested, a Law Enforcement Officer should be able to help, and specifically a certified truck inspector, who would know where the hidden VIN is (all vehicles also have a hidden VIN somewhere).
