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

WOW thanks, I feel so much better now I understand my vin #:lol: :lol:

sweet... i know my cars birth!

very interesting!!

okay so how do i read this one:

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...684_2_full.jpg

:lol:

^HURRRR :rofl: Man if people didn't know this by now.... :lol: Also the year thing isnt always acurate :*(

very nice :tup:

HMM I think the first digit for canadas cars are #2, not mexico!
Canada guys check your VIN!

lol u never knew....nub :lol:

I believe thats fairly acurate.

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.

sweet

I would like to know how the year thing isn't always accurate?



The only thing I would like to correct, is that the manufacturer code N can also be Toyota.

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