How to spot a tampered VIN

The VIN is factory-stamped in several places on a vehicle: the dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door frame, and the chassis. All three must match each other and the paperwork exactly.

Look closely at the dashboard's metal plate: original rivets are uniform, with no signs of having been removed and reattached. Be suspicious of visible welding, fresh paint over the area, or a plate whose texture looks slightly different from the rest of the dash.

If in doubt, any authorized dealer can verify the VIN against the manufacturer's database for free or a small fee. It's a five-minute check that can save you from a serious legal problem later.