A VIN, also known as a vehicle identification number, is a unique 17-character serial number assigned to a vehicle at time of production.

Each of these 17 alpha-numeric characters has a specific meaning assigned to them which is how our system identifies a vehicle's year, make and model (and other details).

The VIN is the primary identifier used to obtain vehicle information displayed on CARFAX Canada reports; please note that the VINs do not contain the following letters:  I, O or Q.

If you want to know more about your VIN, please visit www.carfax.ca/vin-decode to enjoy our complimentary VIN decoder.

For more information on how to find your VIN, please see: Where can I find the VIN?

If a CARFAX Canada report is not displaying a VIN, please see: My report doesn’t have a VIN. 

Powered by the superior vehicle history data network from CARFAX Canada, History-Based Value is the first and only valuation model in Canada that automatically factors a vehicle’s history into the equation to generate VIN-specific values. 

The CARFAX Canada Value Range generates results based on sales of similar vehicle models in your area, adjusting for odometer and market fluctuations. It does not use the history of your vehicle to determine its value. 

History-Based Value uses a vehicle's history to provide a value that is unique to your vehicle. You can get a History-Based Value when you purchase a Vehicle History Report.

Vehicle Monitoring is a convenient subscription service that will provide you monthly updates about the status of your vehicle. 

Here’s what you get with Vehicle Monitoring: 

• Monthly VIN Fraud Checks: We monitor for suspicious activity related to your car’s VIN
  
• Updated Vehicle History Reports: Every month, you’ll receive a refreshed report detailing your car’s history
  

Sign up for Vehicle Monitoring today and let us help you stay on top of your vehicle’s status! 

VIN Fraud Check is a one-time report that scans a vehicle’s VIN for signs of fraud or theft at the time of report purchase. It provides a snapshot of potential risks associated with the VIN, which can help you identify issues with a car before you buy it. 

If your VIN Fraud Check suggests that your VIN has been associated with suspicious activity, please visit our Support Portal and submit a ticket so that we can start an investigation. 

Your Vehicle Monitoring update email will also contain directions on how to proceed. 

If your VIN Fraud Check suggests that a VIN has been associated with suspicious activity, it may indicate that the vehicle in question is either fraudulent or stolen. If you’re looking at buying that vehicle, we recommend taking further action to verify the vehicle isn’t stolen or fraudulent before you complete the purchase. If you own the car with the flagged VIN, please follow the steps included in your VIN Fraud Check email. As always, you can visit our Support Centre to get in touch with our team.

View sample reports at www.carfax.ca/sample-report

For more information, please see: Report Types

Your Vehicle Monitoring subscription begins on the exact day you redeem your first Vehicle History Report. 

For most passenger cars and light trucks, the VIN will be located on the VIN plate (a black plaque) - which is usually located just under the windshield on the driver's side and/or in the driver's side door jamb.