Still hope as major part serial numbers can be traced to the vin and owner via the dealer and making a few random strands of hair. Also there is only so many of a make and model and year in the area. Not hard to track down. I am betting the owner reported it stolen as well.
Most people do not know this, but there is more than one place on most vehicles — other than the plate on the dashboard — where the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) can be found:
● Front of the engine block. This should be easy to spot by popping open the hood, and looking at the front of the engine.
● Front of the car frame, near the container that holds windshield washer fluid.
● Rear wheel well. Try looking up, directly above the tire.
● Inside the driver-side doorjamb. Open the door, and look underneath where the side-view mirror would be located if the door was shut.
● Driver-side doorpost. Open the door, and look near the spot where the door latches, not too far from the seatbelt return.
● Underneath the spare tire.
As others have said, there are about half a dozen or more VIN locations, and most cannot be removed by “scratching out.” Try acid or a grinder, and good luck doing that on the fly. Unless you’re already chopping cars, odds are good you won’t have the equipment handy.
Still hope as major part serial numbers can be traced to the vin and owner via the dealer and making a few random strands of hair. Also there is only so many of a make and model and year in the area. Not hard to track down. I am betting the owner reported it stolen as well.
The VIN should be stamped on the engine. Fingerprints??
Most people do not know this, but there is more than one place on most vehicles — other than the plate on the dashboard — where the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) can be found:
● Front of the engine block. This should be easy to spot by popping open the hood, and looking at the front of the engine.
● Front of the car frame, near the container that holds windshield washer fluid.
● Rear wheel well. Try looking up, directly above the tire.
● Inside the driver-side doorjamb. Open the door, and look underneath where the side-view mirror would be located if the door was shut.
● Driver-side doorpost. Open the door, and look near the spot where the door latches, not too far from the seatbelt return.
● Underneath the spare tire.
As others have said, there are about half a dozen or more VIN locations, and most cannot be removed by “scratching out.” Try acid or a grinder, and good luck doing that on the fly. Unless you’re already chopping cars, odds are good you won’t have the equipment handy.
Thank you, helpful pedants. *goes back to suspension of disbelief*