Vehicle identification numbers (VINs) were first used by auto manufacturers in 1954. Between 1954 and 1981, there was no standard format and VINs varied considerably between manufacturers. Under standards set by the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA), every car and light truck model year 1981 or later has a unique 17-digit VIN in a fixed format.
Digits in a car VIN tell specific information, including the vehicle's year, make, model, country of origin, assembly plant, and more. The VIN also enables you to run the CARFAX Vehicle History Report.
VIN Decoder Chart
VIN Decoder Chart
Example VIN:1HGCM82633A004352
| World Manufacturer Identifier | Vehicle Descriptor Section | Vehicle Identifier Section |
|---|
| Type of information provided | Country | Manufacturer | Type | Details | Check digit | Year | Assembly plant | Production number |
| VIN digits | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4-8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12-17 |
| Values from example VIN 1HGCM82633A004352 | 1 | H | G | CM826 | 3 | 3 | A | 004352 |
Note: The letters I, O and Q never appear in a VIN.
World Manufacturer Identifier
The first three digits make up the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)
Country
The first digit in the VIN indicates the vehicle's country of origin, or final point of assembly. Here are some examples:
Country
The first digit in the VIN indicates the vehicle's country of origin, or final point of assembly. Here are some examples:
Value
|
Country
|
|---|---|
1, 4 or 5
|
United States
|
2
|
Canada
|
3
|
Mexico
|
J
|
Japan
|
K
|
Korea
|
S
|
England
|
W
|
Germany
|
Y
|
Sweden/Finland
|
Manufacturer
The second digit in the VIN indicates the manufacturer. Some manufacturers are listed below:
The second digit in the VIN indicates the manufacturer. Some manufacturers are listed below:
Value
|
Manufacturer
|
|---|---|
A
|
Audi, Jaguar, or Mitsubishi
|
B
|
BMW or Dodge
|
C
|
Chrysler
|
D
|
Mercedes-Benz
|
F
|
Ford or Subaru
|
G
|
General Motors, Pontiac or Saturn
|
H
|
Honda or Acura
|
J
|
Jeep
|
N
|
Nissan
|
R
|
Audi
|
T
|
Toyota or Lexus
|
V
|
Volkswagen (VW) or Volvo
|
1
|
Chevrolet
|
4
|
Buick
|
6
|
Cadillac
|
Vehicle Type
The third digit indicates the vehicle's type or manufacturing division.
The third digit indicates the vehicle's type or manufacturing division.
Vehicle Descriptor Section
Digits 4 through 9 make up the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS).Vehicle Details: Model, Body Style,
Digits 4 through 8 identify the vehicle's model, body style, engine type, transmission, and more. Service shops commonly use this information to identify systems installed by the manufacturer so that they can properly service a car.
Check Digit
The ninth digit, or check digit, is used to detect invalid VINs based on a mathematical formula that was developed by the Department of Transportation.
Vehicle Identifier Section
Digits 10 through 17 make up the Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS).Vehicle Year
The tenth digit identifies the vehicle's model year. The year may be indicated by either a letter or number. Here are some examples:
Value
|
Year
|
|---|---|
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
|
Assembly Plant
The eleventh digit identifies the manufacturing plant in which the vehicle was assembled. Each manufacturer has its own set of plant codes.
The eleventh digit identifies the manufacturing plant in which the vehicle was assembled. Each manufacturer has its own set of plant codes.
Production Number
Digits 12 through 17 indicate the production or serial number. This number could indicate the sequence in which a vehicle came off the assembly line. Since there is no fixed standard for this number, each manufacturer may use this number differently.
Decoding Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINS) |
You can lookup almost any VIN number for absolutely free of charge.
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