Quote:
|
Originally Posted by sandsmuseum
I was curious why some of you are X'ing out the check digit in the VIN. I will implement a check on the whole VIN shortly and will be able to calculate it, as can others as the algorithm seems to be public knowledge. Should I not perform this check and allow people to hold the complete VIN private? It seems like anyone with page two of the service manual, with the VIN format, and the algorithm, can make up a full batch of correct VINs, including yours...
|
Yeh, that does seem silly, crossing out the "error check" digit. You can walk down the street here in NYC and get as many VI numbers as you could ever want. Not sure what good it does trying to keep them secret. Leaving out the check digit only ensures that no one can tell if an error was made entering the other digits.
Anyway, as has been noted before the only numbers that will vary are the model year and the last four (plus the "error check" digit).
Michael, maybe it makes sense to have users only input these six digits, keeping the rest constant? I've memorized my last four and model year, but I had to get out my registration to give you the rest of it. (I suppose I should memorize my check digit too!)