Understanding your VIN number and where your car came from.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,263
Likes: 0
From: Western MA
Rep Power: 349 
Understanding your VIN number and where your car came from. Maybe this could be a sticky?
All manufacturers are required to utilize a standard vehicle format for Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) on vehicles sold in the United States. This is to allow you to understand the valuable information available to you regarding your vehicle. This information is at your fingertips once you locate a serial number (VIN) on the registration or on anyone of several locations on the vehicle itself. The I.D. plate located on the dash is the most convenient location.
VIN SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION
DIGIT# - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 – 17
Digit 1: Country of Origin:
1,4,5 - USA
2 - Mexico
3 - Mexico, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica
6 - Australia
9 - Brazil
J - Japan
K - Korea
L - Taiwan
S - United Kingdom
V - France or Yugoslavia
W - Germany
Y - Sweden
Z - Italy
Digit 2: Manufacturer:
3 - Peugeot
8 - Isuzu (USA)
A - Audi, Alfa Romeo, Isuzu, Jaguar, Mitsubishi, Sterling, AMC
B - BMW, Dodge, Volkswagen
C - AMC, Cami, Chrysler
D - Mercedes-Benz, Daihatsu
E - Eagle
F - Ford, Renault, Subaru, Peugeot
G - GM, Suzuki-USA, Nummi
H - Honda, Acura, Hyundai
J - Jeep/Mercedes-Benz, Daewoo, Lincoln
M - Hyundai, Mazda, Mercury, Mini
N - Kia, Nissan
P - Plymouth, Precis, Porsche
S - Saab, Scion, Subaru, Suzuki
T - Toyota, Lexus
V -Volkswagen, Volvo
X - AMG
Y - Mazda (USA)
Z - Ford
Digit 3-8: Miscellaneous:
3rd through 8th Characters allocated to Manufacturer. They use these digits to reflect body type, car line, restraint system, engine, braking system, etc. All domestic manufacturers use the 8th character for engine designation.
Digit 9: Check Digit:
1-9 or X
Digit 10: Model Year:
6 -2006
5 - 2005
4 - 2004
3 - 2003
2 - 2002
1 - 2001
Y - 2000
X - 1999
W - 1998
V - 1997
T - 1996
S - 1995
Digit 11: Assembly Plant Location
Digit 12 – 17: Sequential Vehicle Number
Example
1GKFK66U84J126841
2004 GMC Yukon Denali
1 = Built in the United States, G = General Motors vehicle, 10th digit 4 means 2004 model, etc
ZFFYT53A220127087
2002 Ferrari 360
Z= built in Italy, F = built by Renault/Peugeot, 10th digit 2 means 2002 model, etc
All manufacturers are required to utilize a standard vehicle format for Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) on vehicles sold in the United States. This is to allow you to understand the valuable information available to you regarding your vehicle. This information is at your fingertips once you locate a serial number (VIN) on the registration or on anyone of several locations on the vehicle itself. The I.D. plate located on the dash is the most convenient location.
VIN SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION
DIGIT# - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 – 17
Digit 1: Country of Origin:
1,4,5 - USA
2 - Mexico
3 - Mexico, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica
6 - Australia
9 - Brazil
J - Japan
K - Korea
L - Taiwan
S - United Kingdom
V - France or Yugoslavia
W - Germany
Y - Sweden
Z - Italy
Digit 2: Manufacturer:
3 - Peugeot
8 - Isuzu (USA)
A - Audi, Alfa Romeo, Isuzu, Jaguar, Mitsubishi, Sterling, AMC
B - BMW, Dodge, Volkswagen
C - AMC, Cami, Chrysler
D - Mercedes-Benz, Daihatsu
E - Eagle
F - Ford, Renault, Subaru, Peugeot
G - GM, Suzuki-USA, Nummi
H - Honda, Acura, Hyundai
J - Jeep/Mercedes-Benz, Daewoo, Lincoln
M - Hyundai, Mazda, Mercury, Mini
N - Kia, Nissan
P - Plymouth, Precis, Porsche
S - Saab, Scion, Subaru, Suzuki
T - Toyota, Lexus
V -Volkswagen, Volvo
X - AMG
Y - Mazda (USA)
Z - Ford
Digit 3-8: Miscellaneous:
3rd through 8th Characters allocated to Manufacturer. They use these digits to reflect body type, car line, restraint system, engine, braking system, etc. All domestic manufacturers use the 8th character for engine designation.
Digit 9: Check Digit:
1-9 or X
Digit 10: Model Year:
6 -2006
5 - 2005
4 - 2004
3 - 2003
2 - 2002
1 - 2001
Y - 2000
X - 1999
W - 1998
V - 1997
T - 1996
S - 1995
Digit 11: Assembly Plant Location
Digit 12 – 17: Sequential Vehicle Number
Example
1GKFK66U84J126841
2004 GMC Yukon Denali
1 = Built in the United States, G = General Motors vehicle, 10th digit 4 means 2004 model, etc
ZFFYT53A220127087
2002 Ferrari 360
Z= built in Italy, F = built by Renault/Peugeot, 10th digit 2 means 2002 model, etc
Smuggling bananas and mexicans all for one low price...
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (11)
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,996
Likes: 0
From: Langley AFB, VA
Rep Power: 397 ^HURRRR 
Man if people didn't know this by now.... 
Also the year thing isnt always acurate :*(
Man if people didn't know this by now.... Also the year thing isnt always acurate :*( 
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,263
Likes: 0
From: Western MA
Rep Power: 349 i got the info from another source, so maybe it is incorrect. i just thought that this was kind of interesting since not many people know what all of the letters/numbers of the VIN mean.
A big, hairy Kentucky boy
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 0
From: Pwnsboro, KY
Rep Power: 271
Originally Posted by TheSmuggler
^HURRRR Man if people didn't know this by now.... Also the year thing isnt always acurate :*(
Man if people didn't know this by now.... Also the year thing isnt always acurate :*(The only thing I would like to correct, is that the manufacturer code N can also be Toyota.
The Rice Machine
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: Hamilton, ON, Canada
Rep Power: 0 This one is a better link to the vin info with years of the vehicles as well
http://www.collegehillshonda.com/art...icle_183.shtml
Edit: For honda anyways
http://www.collegehillshonda.com/art...icle_183.shtml
Edit: For honda anyways
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
LionSpratt
General Automotive Discussion
14
Jan 29, 2017 11:07 PM
