To the untrained eye, a car’s VIN number looks like a random hodge-podge of numbers and letters.
However, the VIN code is actually a window into a vehicle’s soul, providing valuable background and insight about your car or truck. The key is understanding the meaning of each character that makes up the 17-character code. This code was first used in the 1950s by auto manufacturers, but there was no standard format used until 1981. Since then, every car or light truck manufacturer has used the same format to compile this code.
We were browsing Pinterest recently for yummy recipes, interior decorating tips, cool hot rod photos on Summit Racing’s Pinterest page when we found this great infographic on VIN codes. Using the graphic as a starting point, we added some extra information to help you start cracking your vehicle’s VIN code.
1st Digit: Country of Origin
1, 4, 5: United States
2: Canada
3: Mexico
6: Australia
J: Japan
K: Korea
S: UK
V: France, Spain
T: Switzerland
W: Germany
Y: Sweden/Finland
Z: Italy
2nd Digit: Manufacturer
A: Audi, Jaguar, Mitsubishi
B: BMW or Dodge
C: Chrysler
D: Mercedes-Benz
F: Ford or Suburu
G: GM, Pontiac
H: Honda or Acura
J: Jeep
N: Nissan
R: Audi
T: Toyota or Lexus
V: Volkswagen or Volvo
3rd Digit: Manufacturing Division
This third digit indicates the vehicle type or the manufacturing division within the vehicle family. In the example above, the “C” indicates a Chevrolet truck under the GM family “G.”
4th-9th Digits: Vehicle Descriptor
The fourth through eighth characters provide information such as model, body type, engine, and transmission. This varies by manufacturer (see the infographic above for how Chevrolet handles it).
The ninth position in the VIN code is a “check” digit, which is used to check for invalid VINs based on a mathematical formula.
10th Digit: Vehicle Year
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