The VIN is a 17 character number of both alpha and numeric characters. No two VIN's are the same. All cars and light trucks built after 1981 have unique 17-character "VIN numbers" that contains valuable information about that vehicle's history. These numbers are called vehicle identification numbers.

American automobile manufacturers have used VIN Numbers (sometimes called chassis numbers) since 1954, but it was with the introduction of the 1981 model year that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration required that all motor vehicles, trailers, motorcycles and mopeds carry VIN numbers in a fixed format. Actually, the earliest VIN was on the 1953 Chevrolet Corvette. These were four digit numbers beginning with 1000. Now adays once decoded, these VIN numbers can provide vehicle specifications such as year, make, model, body style, and place of manufacture.

This is where things get interesting. Because a VIN will never contain information beyond the year, make, model, body style and place of manufacture, outside data must be used to augment this and provide an attractive, informative description of the vehicle.

iMarketAuto™ uses data from a variety of different sources. Some of our sources are companies who have done detailed reviews on cars for decades. Because they have literally crawled through each style vehicle of each make and model their data can be very useful in populating a window sticker and online listing. iMarketAuto™ fetches updates to these enormous databases on a weekly basis, thereby always ensuring that the most up to date, accurate data is available.

What is critical is ensuring that the data obtained is accurate and attractive to potential automobile buyers. There is VIN decoding and then there is VIN decoding.

Many inventory management companies will provide a feature list that looks something like this:

• Gauge Cluster
• Intermittent Wipers
• Radio Stereo
• Body Side Molding
• Clock
• Tachometer
• Front Center Console
• Power Windows
• V6
• Automatic

The simple fact is that people no longer care about those things. Most cars already have them, even used ones. The above list does not resonate with on the lot shoppers viewing a window sticker and it particularly does not resonate with online shoppers who are more technology savvy.

Consider the following list of features 'decoded' from a VIN using iMarketAuto™:

• Electro chromatic Rear View Mirror
• Automatic Climate Control (2 Zone)
• 5-Speed Automatic Transmission
• 3.5L V8 DOHC 32V Engine
• Premium AM/FM CD System
• Compact Disc Changer
• Wood Shift Knob Trim
• 18-inch Alloy Wheels
• 4-Wheel ABS
• Traction Control
• Xenon High Intensity Headlights
• Plush Leather Seats
• Power Drive Seat w/Memory

A feature list with this level of detail will impact your perspective buyers. Chances you could not craft such a complete, accurate list yourself and if you could it would take a lot more than the 2 seconds it takes iMarketAuto™ to do the same.

Additionally this method of VIN decoding gives iMarketAuto™ the ability to display a complete list of optional features that, at a single click, you can add to your vehicles description. Such things as:

• Heated Front Seats
• Electronic Damping Suspension Control
• Self Leveling Suspension
• Front and Rear Parking Sensors
• Rear Head Airbags
• Headlight Cleaners
• Rear Side Airbags
• Power Rear Sunshade
• Power Sunroof
• Rear Ski Bag
• Sport Package

Again, a stirring list of equipment that will resonate with today's automobile shopping audience.

The VIN decoder goes further. It obtains warranty information on each vehicle, determining if there is a balance of warranty still available. It knows the specific basic and manufacturer colors that were available for each of your pre-owned cars when they were new; outside and inside colors.

MPG (city and highway), trade-in, retail, wholesale, private party prices as well as destination charges are all made available to you via the details page for each vehicle.

In summary, your vehicle descriptions and all your marketing efforts are worth nothing without comprehensive, thorough and attractive VIN decoding to start the process. You would probably not buy a book on Amazon without a compelling online description and review nor would you buy a book at a bookstore without reading the back cover and/or inside jacket.

Car descriptions are no different.

There are many compelling reasons to switch to manage your inventory with iMarketAuto™ - VIN decoding should be a very large part of your decision.