looking at buying a junkyard 2006 T5, and I will be able to get the serial number, but how can I cross reference to get VIN? with the VIN, I can verify the miles. Any ideas?

 

The VIN is located in multiple places on the car - you should find it on a build plate under the hood and probably on the door pillar. The engine will also have a sticker with the modular engine code (ie B5244T5 or similar) which is also stamped into the engine - usually up top near #1 towards the firewall.

In terms of validating the mileage, two things - the data itself is stored in the DIM (drivers information module) which feeds the odometer LCD - so if you can turn the car on, you can read that out. Otherwise, invest in a carfax report and hope for the best.

Anybody selling a car will need to have the VIN for you - yards need to report cars as salvage to move title so that should be part of your purchase transaction. Otherwise you're buying parts, not a car that can be registered again.