Table of Contents
How to decode a VIN? Digits 1 through 3 combined is the WMI, (World Manufacturer Identifier). Digits 4 through 8 represent the vehicle descriptor section. Digit 9 is a check digit. Digits 10 through 17 is the Vehicle Identifier Section. The 11th digit is the manufacturer’s plant code.
What each digit means in a VIN?
The first group of three numbers and letters in a VIN make up the world manufacturer identifier (WMI). In this group, the first digit or letter identifies the country of origin. The third digit, when combined with the first two letters or numbers, indicates the vehicle’s type or manufacturing division.
What is the breakdown of a VIN number?
A VIN is composed of 17 characters (digits and capital letters) that act as a unique identifier for the vehicle. A VIN displays the car’s unique features, specifications and manufacturer. The VIN can be used to track recalls, registrations, warranty claims, thefts and insurance coverage.
What does the 8th digit of the car’s VIN number tell you?
Vehicle Description Section The fourth through eighth digits describe your vehicle’s model, body type, restraint system, transmission type, and engine code. The ninth digit is the check digit, which is used to detect fraudulent VINs.
What does my VIN number mean?
VIN is short for Vehicle Identification Number. Every car receives a unique code when it’s manufactured, which serves as a car’s distinctive identifier or fingerprint. Autozone.com explains that a VIN is normally printed on a single line and consists of 17 characters that are made up of both numbers and letters.
What does the 10th digit stand for?
What Does the 10th Digit in a VIN mean? The 10th character, which is found in the VIS, indicates the vehicle’s model year. This does not necessarily indicate the year it was manufactured.
What does the 10th digit of a VIN mean?
The 10th character in the 17-character VIN represents the vehicle model-year. This standard applies to vehicles built in or after 1981. Before 1981, the VIN format was not standardized and varied by manufacturer.
Is there a free way to look up VIN numbers?
You can get a free VIN check at the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), VehicleHistory.com or iSeeCars.com/VIN. Just pop in your car’s digits and these sites will do the VIN lookup and give you information on the vehicle.
How do you read the year on a VIN?
VIN’s starting with 1, 4, and 5 are manufactured in the United States. The third number or letter is used by the vehicle manufacturer to identify what kind of vehicle it is: car, truck, bus, etc. The 10th character of the VIN indicates the model year.
How do you read a VIN plate weight?
The VIN plate will display either 3 or 4 sets of weights. – The top figure ‘A’ is the gross vehicle weight, the Maximum Allowable Mass (MAM) of the vehicle including occupants, fuel and payload. – The second figure ‘B’ is the gross train weight, this is the combined maximum allowable mass of the vehicle and trailer.
What does the 7th digit in a VIN number mean?
The fourth through ninth digits of the VIN make up the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS), which focuses on the vehicle’s model, body style, engine size and type, transmission, and more. The seventh digit details the restraint system, including seat belts and airbags. The eighth digit identifies the model.
How do you decode a 10 digit VIN number?
How to decode a VIN? Digits 1 through 3 combined is the WMI, (World Manufacturer Identifier). Digits 4 through 8 represent the vehicle descriptor section. Digit 9 is a check digit. Digits 10 through 17 is the Vehicle Identifier Section. The 11th digit is the manufacturer’s plant code.
What do the last 6 digits of a VIN mean?
The last six digits of a VIN reveal the vehicle’s regular production options (RPO) and is also commonly referred to as its serial number. These last six digits identify all of the factory fitted options, as provided by the manufacturer—imagine it as the vehicle’s ‘DNA.
Does a VIN number tell you the trim level?
The VIN can reveal a number of things about a car, including its airbag type, country of origin, engine size, model year and trim level. The last 6 characters of the VIN is the most important part that contains the vehicle’s unique ID.
How do you read a 13 digit VIN number?
How to Decode a 13 Digit VIN Number Examine the first digit of the VIN number to find the manufacturer country of origin. Find the second digit in the VIN number sequence to determine the manufacturer of the vehicle. Read the third character in the VIN number sequence to find out the vehicle type.
What year is N in a VIN number?
The 10th Digit VIN Chart 10 Year C 1982 N D 1983 P E 1984 R F 1985 S.
Will my VIN number tell me what engine I have?
Your VIN number is your vehicle identification number and you can find your engine size by VIN number. In the series of numbers and letters, the tenth from the left denotes the model year and the eighth is the engine codes. Just tell the store clerk those two characters and you’re in business.
How do you tell what year a car is?
As noted, the vehicle’s year is identified by a letter or number in the 10th position from the left in the VIN. As shown above, the 10th character of the VIN indicates its model year.
Can a VIN number be 12 digits?
A 12-character VIN number In some cases, the VIN you will find in the car will only contain 12 characters. The number may be shorter because the previous one was damaged or unreadable and the owner decided to replace it in accordance with applicable regulations.
Can a VIN number be 16 digits?
A vehicle’s vehicle identification number (VIN) is like its birth certificate, a unique identifier that sets it apart from all others. Older vehicle models carry 16-digit VINs, while newer VINs are made up of 17 digits/characters. By 1983, ISO Standard 3779 introduced a standard VIN system for all manufacturers.
