Where is the VIN on a Land Rover Defender windshield?

Look at the lower driver-side corner of the windshield , on top of the dashboard. You can read it from outside.

Does every Defender have a VIN on the dashboard like modern cars?

Most modern Defenders do. Older Defenders can vary by year and market , so you may rely more on the door jamb label and chassis stamp .

Where is the Defender VIN stamped on the chassis?

It’s stamped into the frame/chassis rail . Location varies by model year, but it’s usually on a front section of the rail . Use a flashlight and check both sides if needed.

Is there a VIN plate under the hood on a Defender?

Sometimes. Check the inner fender , radiator support , or near the firewall/brake booster area for a sticker or plate.

What should I do if the VINs don’t match in different locations?

Treat it as a serious red flag . Re-check each character, then rely on the chassis stamp as the main confirmation. If it still doesn’t match, don’t buy parts or a report—verify ownership/history first, then decode the VIN in ProVinDecoder only after you confirm the correct number.

Start at the driver-side windshield on the dashboard, where the VIN is visible from outside. Next, open the driver’s door and look for the VIN on the door jamb label. For a harder-to-tamper match, check the VIN stamped on the frame/chassis rail. On some Defenders, you may also find a VIN sticker or plate under the hood in the engine bay. Once you find it, run the number through the Land Rover Defender VIN Decoder to confirm the trim, engine, build details, and make sure all VIN locations match.

VIN Location on the Windshield (Driver-Side Dashboard)

On a Land Rover Defender, the VIN is usually easiest to spot at the base of the windshield on the driver side, sitting on top of the dashboard. Stand outside the vehicle and look through the glass at the lower corner near the A-pillar. You’ll see the 17-character VIN on a small plate or printed tag.

VIN Location on the Driver’s Door Jamb Label

Open the driver’s door and check the door jamb area on the B-pillar (the body section the door latches to). The Land Rover Defender VIN is usually printed on a factory label/sticker with the 17-character number plus other vehicle info. Look around the latch-side edge and slightly below eye level.

VIN Stamped on the Frame / Chassis

Look along the chassis rail (often on the front section of the rail, depending on year and market). You’re searching for a stamped 17-character VIN pressed into bare metal, not a sticker. Use a flashlight and view it at an angle stamps can look “flat” in direct light. If it’s covered in dirt or surface rust, wipe it clean so every character is readable.

Under the Hood / Engine Bay Sticker or Plate

Open the hood and look in the engine bay for a VIN sticker or metal plate. On many Defenders it’s placed on the inner fender, radiator support, or near the firewall. It may also be close to the brake booster area.

Quick Tips

Match at least two locations. Windshield + door jamb is the fastest combo.
Use the chassis stamp as the final proof. It’s the hardest to fake.
Write the VIN carefully. Watch O/0, I/1, B/8, S/5.
Clean before you read. Glass glare and dirty labels cause mistakes fast.
Use a flashlight at an angle. Stamped numbers show better with side light.
Red flag: any VIN plate that looks re-riveted, scratched, or misaligned.
Decode it right away. Paste the VIN into the Land Rover VIN Decoder to confirm the model, engine, trim, and build details.
Buying used? Don’t proceed if the VINs don’t match in every spot.

Land Rover Defender VIN Location – Find It Fast | ProVinDecoder