What confusion do you imagine happening? Because the VIN on the hood doesn't match the rest of the car? Pretty sure that's the point. Is it absolutely necessary to be on the hood? No. Is it a legal requirement for it to be on the hood? Obviously not. Is it better if it's there? Unequivocally yes. The whole point of the VIN being on the hood is to make you ask the question "Why was this replaced"? Then you'll look at the car with greater scrutiny. Check the VIN stamping on the radiator brace, the firewall, etc. If it turns out that the hood was the only component replaced, then at least you know that.

If your point is the choice of the hood is somewhat arbitrary, (why not the seats, doors, windows). Some manufacturers put the VIN in 'extra' locations others don't. If this is the point you're attempting to make, then you have no point. It's not practical to put the VIN on every single component of the car. Why isn't it on each door? I don't know. It probably should be. If you're singling out the hood because that irks you for some strange reason, maybe ask Honda what their logic is. Perhaps because it's a component commonly and easily damaged in even a minor crash or a hailstorm? Is your issue that it seems inconsistent? I'm at a loss as to why it's such a big deal to you, but it was obviously done intentionally by Honda else they wouldn't invest the money to put it there. Why don't you write them and ask them why?

 

Whatever the reason is, Honda decided to put VIN labels on the hood only for North American markets.

 

Well, maybe they don't steal as many cars in other markets.

 

Yeah, sure!

 

Or they just don't ever crash their cars.

 

The VIN number is stamped on numerous parts of a vehicle in the US so that law enforcement can trace a stolen car that had been broken down for parts. This is supposed to discourage theft of automobiles for breaking down into parts which can be sold for more than the value of the car itself.

 

So, in other words, there are plenty of valid reasons for the VIN to be stamped all over the place.

Here endeth the lesson.

 

That would be valid argument if the VIN were stamped. But it is not. VIN on the hood is just a sticker, which can be easily removed and made untraceable.

 

I use mine for this

 

I have an EX-L, same thing there. Do the optional door sills hook in there?
​​​​​

 

Didn't noticed them before, the VIN is everywhere. doors, B-pillar, rear door structure, everywhere!!!! Now, why did Honda spend the time to design a hidden compartment for the VIN?

 

 

It is odd .... I found that soon after buying our Fit a few years back (I crawl over everything in a new car), thought it was odd....I mean, have never seen another car with that "feature" ....am sure Honda had a good reason, maybe for another market's laws or something, who knows? And, it's not like future buyers of old Fits are gonna be all that concerned with matching numbers like the classic car crowd. H must've had a good reason, as I'm sure that added a few bucks to the cost of producing the car