What is VIN Etching and How Do Car Dealerships Use It?

While dealerships must focus their time on selling cars, there are other important services to remind your customers about. VIN etching can be a great upsell for many vehicles. Let’s explore what VIN etching is, what it can do for your customers, and when you might want to recommend this service. 

What Is VIN Etching? 

VIN etching is the process of permanently engraving the VIN number on each piece of glass on the vehicle.¹ The reasoning is that a car thief can easily remove the VIN tag or plates if they steal a vehicle, but they won’t be able to remove etched glass—simply having this window etching can deter potential thieves.²

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requires every purchased vehicle to come with a 17-character unique Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This number must be visible on the driver’s side of the front windshield, as well as on the certification label on the driver’s door. In addition, the VIN is included on 18 other parts, like the engine, transmission, and hood, to deter thieves from stealing vehicles for parts.²

How Does VIN Etching Work? 

While VIN etching can sound like a potentially damaging process at first, it actually is entirely harmless, as it only impacts the surface of the glass. It can be completed through a few different methods, including: 

1. Acid etching: Hydrofluoric acid dissolves the glass surface to create a rough texture in the shape of the VIN characters. 
2. Laser etching: A computerized laser removes small quantities of surface material. 
3. Glass etching cream: A chemical cream reacts with the glass to make a frosted surface, applied with a brush or stencil.³

What Are the Pros of VIN Etching for Customers?

The main purpose of VIN etching is to deter vehicle theft. And it’s a relatively simple and easy process with numerous benefits, including: 

• Potential insurance discount: By taking this extra security measure, your car insurance company may discount your premium up to 15%.²
• Traceable: Scanning technology can flag vehicles with these VIN etchings, which means thieves will try to avoid cars with this feature.²
• Damage-free: The etching process only interferes with the top layer of the glass which means it doesn’t damage the windows themselves or weaken their structure or weatherproofing. The etching is small and only visible once you get within a few feet of the vehicle. For the average onlooker, these elements are unnoticeable, but they will certainly be an area that thieves check and police reference.¹

Which Customers Are Good Prospects for VIN Etching? 

While there aren’t any downsides to VIN etching, not every customer is an ideal fit for this service. Tell your customers to consider the cost versus insurance savings, how much they regularly worry about their vehicle, the type of area where they live and/or park their car, and whether they intend to take lots of road trips (these types of trips often have the car in unfamiliar areas).  

For example, if they live in a low-crime area, it might not be urgent and worthwhile. But if your customers live in a higher crime area or park on a busy street, it’s good to recommend this service when they are buying a vehicle.³ Plus, if they are purchasing a high-cost vehicle, it may be worthwhile to encourage this service regardless of the environment where they park their car. 

What Are Common Customer Objections to VIN Etching?

There truly aren’t any significant cons when it comes to VIN etching, but the added cost is a common concern for any upsell. However, the cost of VIN etching is low compared to the costs associated with vehicle theft. Most dealers offer the service for around $200–$400, and sometimes for free with the purchase of a new vehicle. There are also DIY kits available, so be sure to tell your customers to do their research before choosing this route—insurance companies may not consider this etching method as eligible for a discount.⁴

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As you work to grow your dealership and offer the best services, don’t overlook new ways to secure the best used inventory in the area. Partner with ACV Auctions to make sure your lot has the best offerings. Our online auctioning platform offers top-quality used vehicles with detailed inspection reports that accompany each one. All cars have been individually inspected by an expert member of our team, so you can have the confidence that you are getting exactly what you need. Learn more about how ACV Auctions can help your business grow. 

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Sources

1. Arizona Department of Insurance & Financial Institutions. “VIN Etching.” Arizona Department of Insurance & Financial Institutions. Retrieved April 4, 2025. https://difi.az.gov/programs/vin-etching 
2. Courtney, Chris. 2024. “Is VIN etching really worth the scratch?” Carvana. Retrieved April 4, 2025. https://blog.carvana.com/2022/03/is-vin-etching-really-worth-the-scratch/ 
3. Nerad, Jack. 2025. “What is VIN etching and is it worth the cost?” Usedcars. Retrieved April 4, 2025. https://www.usedcars.com/advice/tips/what-is-vin-etching-and-is-it-worth-the-cost 
4. Teague, Chris. 2025. “What is VIN etching?” CapitalOne Auto Navigator. Retrieved April 4, 2025. https://www.capitalone.com/cars/learn/getting-a-good-deal/what-is-vin-etching/1635