VIN Basics Blog

Whether you’re a large salvage yard that builds out its proprietary tools for yard management, or a solution/software provider to small to mid-sized salvage yards, it’s essential that the vehicle data you leverage is accurate and complete enough to meet requirements for critical use cases, including some of the most common instances outlined below.  

VIN decoding and identification are terms that have a different meaning and context depending on the solution type and the use case. This could mean simply determining the year, make, model, and engine. Others could include much deeper level attributes including equipment, as well as the return of specific ACES VCdb fields for vehicle-to-part matching and compatibility.

In this article, we’ve described a few primary cases where vehicle data can be pivotal for efficient yard management processes.

A while back, we wrote an article highlighting some of the key differences between a free VIN decoder service and a paid VIN decoding solution. When actively comparing enterprise-scale, commercial vehicle data solutions for your business, the differences are not as obvious as with free solutions. Many commercial VIN decoding and vehicle data providers offer a robust level of detail for a large number of major OEMs, and may even offer different levels of specificity to match your business's data requirements. Rather than producing an elaborate text-based document to explain the differences, the DataOne team felt it would be more helpful to display how DataOne's VIN decoder API stands out from a basic or standard VIN decoder in an infographic format.

There’s nothing like the smell of a brand-new car, but with the average cost of new vehicles now sitting at  ~$50K, many consumers have opted for used vehicles as an alternative in recent years. New vehicle prices have spiked since the COVID-19 pandemic, with average transaction prices remaining nearly $11k higher than pre-pandemic back when average transaction prices for new vehicles were ~$37k. In this article, we will discuss some of the key drivers behind increased vehicle prices, how it has impacted the auto industry, and why a comprehensive vehicle data solution is even more important for the automotive businesses impacted.

The auto maintenance and repair industry has been forced to face transformative changes associated with the aggressive elimination of traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, and the new technology variables inherent in a hybrid and EV-focused future. This article discusses how the use of a complete vehicle data solution can help auto repair businesses combat some of the auto industry’s biggest challenges.

Have you been tasked with picking the best vehicle data and VIN decoding solution for your new business venture or a new product at your current company? There are many things you need to consider when choosing a VIN data solution, such as the depth and breadth of vehicle data coverage, accuracy of the data, pricing, and as discussed in this article, delivery options.

The trailer industry is undergoing a transformative period, marked by innovative designs, technological advancements, and a heightened focus on sustainability. Encompassing recreational trailers to tractor trailers, several trends are shaping the future of this essential automotive industry sector.

Aside from the obvious difference, one is free and one costs money, there is often confusion around how free VIN decoder services vs. paid VIN decoding solutions differ and why one might pay a premium. Each business has different vehicle data and VIN decoding needs, and while a free VIN decoder might do the trick for some businesses, others may have a need for a more comprehensive VIN decoding solution.

ATV (all-terrain vehicle) and UTV (utility task vehicle) market, also known as ROVs (recreational off-road vehicles), have experienced a remarkable rise in popularity in recent years, becoming a driving force in the powersports industry. According to a Fortune Business Insights report, ROVs claim 63.4% of the global powersports market share in 2022. The annual revenue for ATVs and UTVs in the North American market is expected to grow from $8.52 billion to $13.6 billion in the next 5 years (2023-2028). As such, there is a growing need for accurate and complete powersports vehicle data for businesses in the space to remain competitive.

Over-the-air (OTA) updates are a growing trend in the auto industry and are expected to be standardized across OEMs by 2028. While OTA updates will greatly benefit OEMs, saving 1.5 billion per year in recall services as well as improving the customer experience with fewer trips to the dealer, how will they impact the rest of the industry? This article addresses some of the unknowns that could potentially benefit or negatively impact the retailing, servicing, and insuring of vehicles in the future.

All the different vehicle weight terminology can be quite confusing. While some are more obvious than others, the shear mass of information can be daunting. This article was written to take the weight off your chest…