When buying a used car, what does "matching numbers" mean and where do you check for them?

How much of the numbers have to match- all, or first so many numbers. Assuming I have a car with "matching numbers" and the engine is no good. Do I have to rebuild that engine, or can I replace it with another, and still have matching numbers? How much does having "matching numbers" add to the value of a car?When buying a used car, what does "matching numbers" mean and where do you check for them?
Matching numbers means that all of the VIN numbers and serial numbers match.



Essentially it means that the car has all of the original and correct parts and no one has ever swapped them out.



If you get new parts with other VIN and serial numbers, the car will no longer have matching numbers, so you will need to rebuild rather than get new with the engine.



With a high end vintage car, matching numbers can add 50% to the value or more depending on the car.



For a car that is so so, and not a collector car, it shouldn't effect the value much.When buying a used car, what does "matching numbers" mean and where do you check for them?
The engine and chassis has numbers you will find them on a metal plate under the bonnet or drivers post thy should match with the numbers in the v5 reg documentWhen buying a used car, what does "matching numbers" mean and where do you check for them?
It really doesn't matter on newer cars! The value would not increase or decrease. Now, if you are talking about an older (classic) car then it is a different story! The value can change as much as $20,000. or more depending on the car. If you are looking to rebuild your current engine, the the numbers would still match as long as you use the same engine block. If you are looking to "swap" engines, then the numbers would not match.