Anatomy of a Vehicle ID Number | VIN Decoder | Used Car History

Reports Explained

- How to tell the year of a vehicle by looking at the VIN. (Most common character used
in a VIN)
- What does VIN stand for?
- What does a Vehicle Identification Number look like?
- What is a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)?
- Where are the most common places to find a Vehicle ID Number on a vehicle?
- How to decode a Vehicle ID Number, what do all those characters mean?
- Which VIN digit will tell you the Country of origin of the vehicle?
- Which character of a Vehicle ID Number will tell you the manufacturer of a vehicle?

What does VIN stand for?

VIN is the abbreviation for Vehicle Identification Number. Other terms and verbiage of
VIN are:
Vehicle ID Number
Car ID
Serial number
Car VIN
VIN number (redundant, however incorrect)

What does a VIN look like?

A Vehicle ID Number contains 17 characters, and these characters contain letters and
numbers. The letters I, O, and Q are not used, this is to prevent any confusion with the
numbers 1 and 0 when reading a VIN.
1998 Honda Accord EX - VIN# 1HGCG1659WA029633
1

What is a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)?

A Vehicle ID Number is a distinctive serial number used by automotive manufacturers
to identify each individual motor vehicle. Vehicle Identification Numbers were first used
on motor vehicles in 1954; each manufacturer used their own VIN format until 1981
and made the system very confusing.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the United States
standardized the format in 1981 to become the current 17 digits VIN format today. The
NHTSA required any on-the-road motor vehicle to be sold, must have the standard 17
digit Vehicle Identification Number. To avoid any confusion, the standardized NHTSA VIN
format does not include the letters O, Q, or I.
The Vehicle Identification Number is like the fingerprint of a vehicle, unique to the
individual car, it can tell you a lot about the vehicle's history. Anything reported about
the car through insurance companies, title companies, law enforcement agencies, etc.,
will be reported through the VIN of the vehicle (Similar to your personal Social Security
Number)
There are several online vehicle history companies that provide potential car buyers
the information to find branded title vehicle's and lemons by doing a search of the
vehicles history by using the VIN.

Two things you must do to protect yourself before buying a used car.

1. Obtain and review used car history reports on the vehicle.

2. Have the vehicle inspected by a certified independent mechanic.
Before buying any used car we recommend you have an independent certified
mechanic check for any problems with the vehicle, and reviewing a used vehicle's
history report for any hidden problems that may cost you money in the long run.
We recommend using a company that provides you with an unlimited amount of used
car history reports such as AutoCheck. Most people shop and compare several
different used cars before narrowing down their search. This company allows you to
pull as many history reports as you like for 30 days. Read more about the benefits of

why we recommend this company over other online history report companies in our
AutoCheck vehicle history report review.

Where are the most common places to find a Vehicle ID Number on a

vehicle?
Depending on the manufacturer, the VIN can be found on VIN plates, stickers or
stamped all over a vehicle. The most common places a Vehicle ID Number can be found
are:
On the dash, in front of the driver, where the windshield meets the dash. (Most
common location on a vehicle)
Drivers door jam on the inside edge of the door where it latches to the frame. (Second
most common location)
In the engine compartment on the firewall.
On the vehicle stats plate located under the hood somewhere in the engine
compartment.
On the steering column on some of the older vehicles.
On the inside of body panels, engine, heads, frame, etc...
Sometimes it can be found on the glass of some vehicles.

How to Decode a Vehicle ID Number, What do all Those Characters

Mean?
How to tell the year of a vehicle buy looking at the VIN.
This is the most common character used in a VIN, the 10th character from the left will
tell you what year the vehicle is.
Car VIN# 1HGCG1659WA029633
Look at the 10th digit of the VIN W = 1998
1981 = B
1982 = C
1983 = D
H
1988 = J
1989 = K

1984 = E

1985 = F

1986 = G

1987 =

1990 = L
1997 = V

1991 = M
1998 = W

1992 = N

1993 = P

1994 = R

1995 = S

1996 = T

1999 = X
2006 = 6

2000 = Y
2007 = 7

2001 = 1

2002 = 2

2003 = 3

2004 = 4

2005 = 5

2008 = 8
2009 = 9
2010 = A
E
2015 = F
2016 = G
2017 = H

2018 = J

2019 = K

2011 = B

2012 = C

2013 = D

2014 =

2020 = L

(Car VIN code for year of manufactured from 2014 to 2020 not yet confirmed)

How to tell the Country of origin by looking at a Vehicle Identification

Number.
The first character of a VIN will tell you the Country of origin where the vehicle was
made.
Car VIN# 1HGCG1659WA029633
Look at the first digit in the VIN 1 = United States
Here are a few of the most common Country of origin VIN Codes:
United States = 1
Canada = 2
Mexico = 3
United States = 4&5
Australia = 6
Brazil = 9
Japan = J
Korea = K
France = F
Germany = W
Sweden

=Y
4

How to tell the manufacturer of a vehicle by looking at the Vehicle

Identification Number.
You can tell the manufacturer of a vehicle by looking at the second digit of the VIN.
Car VIN# 1HGCG1659WA029633
Look at the second character of the VIN H = Honda

Some VIN characters may stand for several different manufacturers.

Here is a list of a few of the most common and discontinued manufacturers.

Manufacturers do change; however this list should be accurate and up-to-date.

Mitsubishi = A
Range Rover = A
Chrysler = C
Delorean = C
Mercedes Benz = D
Oldsmobile= G

Eagle = E

Saturn = G
Buick = G
=L
Daewoo = L
Hyundai = M
Plymouth = P

Mini = M
Isuzu = S

Jaguar = A
Ford = F

GMC = G Acura = H
Nissan = N

Chevrolet = G
Honda = H

Infiniti = N

Audi = A

Dodge= B
Cadillac = G

Jeep = J

Kia = N

Lincoln

Porsche = P

Saab = S
Yugo = X
Mercury = Z

Suzuki = S
Mazda= Y

Lexus = T

Hummer = 3

Toyota = T

American General = 3

Volkswagen = V

Volvo= V

Geo = C, G, 8

What are the third through the eighth characters in a Vehicle ID

Number used for?
The third through the eighth digits in a VIN are for manufacturer use and can mean a
variety of things.
Car VIN# 1HGCG1659WA029633
Look at the third through the eighth digits of the VIN GCG165 = Manufacturer Specifics
G= Passenger car built in US/Canada.
CGI = Honda Accord 4 Door V6 VTEC.
6 = 4 door sedan automatic.
5 = Special (The eighth digit always describes the engine on domestic vehicles.)

These VIN digits can also describe some or more of the following:

Vehicle type - Passenger car, multi-purpose vehicle, etc.

Restraint system - Front or side airbags etc.
Transmission - Automatic or Manual
Car Line and Series - Accord, Civic, Malibu, Fiesta, etc.
Body type - 4 door, 2 door, Convertible, etc.

What is the meaning of the ninth number of a VIN mean?

The ninth number of a Vehicle Identification Number is called the check digit. It is the
key number to use when validating the VIN.
Car VIN# 1HGCG1659WA029633
6

Look at the ninth digit of the VIN 9 = Check Digit

What does the tenth character of the VIN mean?

The tenth number of a Vehicle ID Number is used to describe the year the vehicle was
manufactured.
Car VIN# 1HGCG1659WA029633
Look at the tenth character of the VIN W = 1998

For a full list of year of production VIN codes scroll to the top of the page or click on
vehicle production year VIN codes to jump there now.

What is the meaning

Identification Number?

of

the

eleventh

character

of

Vehicle

The eleventh digit of a Vehicle ID Number is used to describe the final plant the vehicle
was assembled in.
Car VIN# 1HGCG1659WA029633
Look at the eleventh character of the VIN A = ?

Each manufacturer has their own plant codes, final plant assembly changes on a
frequent basis with manufacturers. Although the manufacture can change their codes,
their eleventh digit location in the VIN is standardized. With this in mind I am unable to
keep a current list of these codes.

What does the last 6 characters in a VIN mean?

The last six digits in a Vehicle Identification Number are the actual serial numbers of
that specific vehicle.
Car VIN# 1HGCG1659WA029633
Look at the last six characters of the VIN 029633 = Serial Number
The last six numbers of a Vehicle Identification Number are always the vehicle's
serial number and also vehicle specific.
The first ten characters may be the same, however the last six digits will be different
on every vehicle.
The ninth digit or Check Digit may also be different on the vehicle.