The VIN is a mystery to most. It’s comprised of 17 numbers and letters, typically tucked away in an inconspicuous area under your windshield and seldom given much of a thought by the average motorist. Even though every vehicle manufactured since 1981 has a vehicle identification number (VIN), most people have no how to find it, much less read it. And that’s too bad, because a VIN can provide invaluable information–especially when you’re trying to buy a car. They can tell you everything from engine type to where it was built. But you have to know how to decode it. Here’s a look at what you can learn about any vehicle: Where to find the VIN There are three places manufacturers place VINs: the driver-side door