VIN NUMBER - An Overview

A Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN as it is commonly referred, references a specific and unique serial number that the automotive industry uses to specify individual motor vehicles. Unfortunately, before 1981, each manufacturer utilized a different standard. However, since 1981 VINs have conformed to a common system. VIN numbers consist of 17 characters which do not include the letters I, O or Q to avoid confusion with the numerals 0 and 1.

DECODE A VIN – Without the use of a computer program or third party application. The below listed information will provide you the knowledge to quickly and easily decode a vehicle vin without having to utilize a computer program or third party application.

1st Character in the VIN - For all vehicles, position one in the Vehicle Identification Number will be a code representing the COUNTRY OF ORIGIN.

1st Character Country

1 ---- United States
2 ---- Canada
3 ---- Mexico
4 ---- United States
5 ---- United States
6 ---- Australia
9 ---- Brazil
J ---- Japan
K ---- Korea
L ---- Taiwan
S ---- England
V ---- France
W ---- Germany
Y ---- Sweden
Z ---- Italy

2nd Character in the VIN - The 2nd character in the VIN number represents the manufacturer of the vehicle. Since there are many more manufacturers than room in this article allows. Below you will find a list of some of the largest automotive manufacturers and their MANUFACTURER CODE.

Code Manufacturer Code Manufacturer Code Manufacturer

A ---- Audi & Jaguar
B ---- BMW
4---- Buick
6 ---- Cadillac
C ---- Chrysler
B/D --- Dodge
F ---- Ford
7 ---- GM
G ---- General Motors
H ---- Honda
L ---- Lincoln
D ---- Mercedes Benz
M ---- Mercury
N ---- Nissan
3 ---- Oldsmobile
2/5 ---- Pontiac
P ---- Plymouth
8 ---- Saturn
T ---- Toyota
V ---- Volkswagen
V ---- Volvo

3rd – 8th Character in the VIN - The third though the eighth characters are allocated to the Manufacturer. These characters signify body type, car line, restraint system, engine, braking system and much more. It is important to note that the eighth character is reserved for the engine designation in vehicle produced by all domestic automobile manufacturers. The third through the eight characters are typically referred to as MISCELLANEOUS CODE.

9th Character in the VIN - The ninth position is a check digit that was designed by the NHTSA (National Highway Transportation Association). This digit may be used to confirm that the vin is valid by utilizing a complex mathematical calculation. The ninth character of the VIN is the CHECK DIGIT.

10th Character in the VIN - The 10th character is by far the most utilized. It represents the model year the vehicle of production.

Code Year Code Year Code Year Code Year

A ---- 1980
B ---- 1981
C ---- 1982
D ---- 1983
E ---- 1984
F ---- 1985
G ---- 1986
H ---- 1987
J ---- 1988
K ---- 1989
L ---- 1990
M ---- 1991
N ---- 1992
P ---- 1993
R ---- 1994
S ---- 1995
T ---- 1996
V ---- 1997
W ---- 1998
X ---- 1999
Y ---- 2000
1 ---- 2001
2 ---- 2002
3 ---- 2003
4 ---- 2004
5 ---- 2005
6 ---- 2006
7 ---- 2007
8 ---- 2008
9 ---- 2009
A ---- 2010
B ---- 2011
C ---- 2012
D ---- 2013
E ---- 2014
F ---- 2015
G ---- 2016
H ---- 2017
J ---- 2018
K ---- 2019

11th Character in the VIN - The eleventh character designates the plant of vehicle production. This digit is typically called the PLANT CODE.

12th -17th Character in the VIN - The last six digits in a vehicle identification number refer to the vehicle production number. Think of these digits are the serial number of the car. For instance, the very first Corvette Z-51 to roll off the production line will have the production sequence code 000001, whereas the second would be designed by serial number 000002.