How to Read a VIN on a Car (Vehicle Identification Number)
The Ultimate Guide on Vehicle Identification Numbers.
A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is the unique 17-digit “name” assigned to every vehicle. Composed of both letters and digits, each VIN is specifically designated by the automaker to identify that particular car. Every character in this sequence holds specific information about the vehicle, including its year, country of origin, engine type, and more. This systematic coding ensures that each car can be individually tracked and identified.
Typically, you can locate the VIN on the driver-side dashboard, visible through the windshield, which makes it easy to access and read. Additionally, the VIN is often found on the driver-side doorjamb, where the door latches when closed. For further verification or in cases where those spots might be inaccessible, the VIN is also stamped on the engine’s firewall, integrating it into the very structure of the vehicle. These multiple placements help ensure that the VIN can always be found, regardless of external conditions or modifications to the car.
Table of Contents
- How to tell the year of the vehicle by the VIN
- What is a Vehicle ID number?
- What is VIN short for?
- How to tell a vehicle’s history by the VIN
- Where to find the VIN on a vehicle
- How to read a vehicle identification number
- How to tell the year of a car by the VIN
- Country of Origin VIN digit
- How to determine the manufacturer by the VIN
- Third through eighth characters
- What does the ninth character of a VIN mean?
- The tenth character of the VIN is the model year
- What does the 11th character describe?
- The last six digits of a vehicle ID number
- Final thoughts on vehicle identification numbers
What is a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
A vehicle identification number, VIN for short, is a distinctive serial number used by automotive manufacturers to identify each motor vehicle. Manufacturers first used vehicle identification numbers on motor vehicles in 1954; each manufacturer used their VIN format until 1981, confusing the system.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the United States standardized the format in 1981, now the current 17-digit VIN format.
The NHTSA requires 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.
What Does VIN Stand For?
VIN is the abbreviation for Vehicle Identification Number. Other terms and jargon of VIN are:
- Vehicle ID Number
- Car ID
- Serial number
- Car VIN
- VIN number (redundant, however incorrect)
Example of a 1998 Honda Accord EX VIN:
1HGCG1659WA029633
How to Tell a Vehicle’s History By the VIN
The vehicle identification number is like a fingerprint, unique to each car; it can tell you much about the vehicle’s history.
The car’s VIN will be used to report anything about the vehicle to insurance companies, title companies, law enforcement agencies, etc. (It is Similar to your social security number.)
Several online vehicle history companies provide car buyers the information they need to find branded title vehicles and lemons by searching for the vehicle’s history using the VIN.
Protect yourself by doing two things:
1. Obtain a used car history report on the vehicle.
2. Have the vehicle inspected by a certified mechanic.
I strongly advise having a licensed independent technician inspect the car for technical problems before buying a used car.
It would be best to review the vehicle’s history report for any hidden flaws that might cost you money in the future.
Where to Find a VIN 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 you can find a Vehicle ID Number are:
- In front of the driver, where the windshield meets the dash. (Most common location on a vehicle)
- Driver door jams on the inside edge of the door where it latches to the frame. (Second most common location)
- In the engine compartment on the firewall.
- The vehicle stats plate is located under the hood in the engine compartment.
- On the steering column of some of the older vehicles.
- On the inside of body panels, engine, heads, frame, etc.
- Sometimes, the VIN can be found etched on the glass of some cars.
Other places you can find a vehicle’s VIN:
- On the vehicle title (DMV) records.
- Vehicle insurance records.
- Vehicle registration card.
How to Read a Vehicle Identification Number
Each digit of the VIN has a different meaning. Below, I’ve broken down each character and given you a brief description.
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
| Year of a Vehicle by the VIN | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 = B | 1991 = M | 2001 = 1 | 2011 = B | 2021 = M |
| 1982 = C | 1992 = N | 2002 = 2 | 2012 = C | 2022 = N |
| 1983 = D | 1993 = P | 2003 = 3 | 2013 = D | 2023 = P |
| 1984 = E | 1994 = R | 2004 = 4 | 2014 = E | 2024 = R |
| 1985 = F | 1995 = S | 2005 = 5 | 2015 = F | 2025 = S |
| 1986 = G | 1996 = T | 2006 = 6 | 2016 = G | 2026 = T |
| 1987 = H | 1997 = V | 2007 = 7 | 2017 = H | 2027 = V |
| 1988 = J | 1998 = W | 2008 = 8 | 2018 = J | 2028 = W |
| 1989 = K | 1999 = X | 2009 = 9 | 2019 = K | 2029 = X |
| 1990 = L | 2000 = Y | 2010 = A | 2020 = L | 2030 = Y |
*Vehicle VIN code for the year manufactured past 2027 not yet confirmed
How to Tell the Country of Origin By the VIN
The first character of a VIN will tell you the Country of origin of the vehicle.
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:
| 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 |
How to Determine the Manufacturer By the VIN
You can tell the vehicle manufacturer by looking at the second digit of the VIN.
Car VIN# 1HHGCG1659WA029633
Look at the second character of the VIN H = Honda
Some VIN characters may stand for several different manufacturers.
Here is a list of some of the most common and discontinued manufacturers. Although manufacturers change, this list should be accurate and up to date.
| Manufacturer by the VIN | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi | = | A | Acura | = | H | Toyota | = | T |
| Range Rover | = | A | Honda | = | H | Volkswagen | = | V |
| Jaguar | = | A | Jeep | = | J | Volvo | = | V |
| Audi | = | A | Lincoln | = | L | Yugo | = | X |
| Dodge | = | B | Daewoo | = | L | Mazda | = | Y |
| Chrysler | = | C | Hyundai | = | M | Mercury | = | Z |
| Delorean | = | C | Mini | = | M | Hummer | = | 3 |
| Mercedes Benz | = | D | Nissan | = | N | American General | = | 3 |
| Eagle | = | E | Infiniti | = | N | Geo | = | C, G, 8 |
| Ford | = | F | Kia | = | N | |||
| Chevrolet | = | G | Porsche | = | P | |||
| Cadillac | = | G | Plymouth | = | P | |||
| Oldsmobile | = | G | Isuzu | = | S | |||
| Saturn | = | G | Saab | = | S | |||
| Buick | = | G | Suzuki | = | S | |||
| GMC | = | G | Lexus | = | T | |||
Third Through Eighth Characters of a Vehicle ID Number
The manufacturer uses the third through eighth numbers of a VIN, which might signify various things.
Car VIN# 1HGCG1659WA029633
Examine the VIN’s third through eighth digits: 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 doors, two doors, Convertible, etc.
What Does the Ninth Character of a VIN Mean?
The ninth number of a Vehicle Identification Number is called the check digit. It is the critical number to use when validating the VIN.
Car VIN# 1HGCG1659WA029633
Look at the ninth digit of the VIN 9 = Check Digit.
The Tenth Character of the VIN is the Model Year of the Vehicle
The tenth Vehicle ID Number describes the year the vehicle was manufactured. It is the most commonly referenced number in a VIN.
Car VIN# 1HGCG1659WA029633
Look at the tenth character of the VIN W = 1998
To check the year of a vehicle by the vehicle identification number, view my vehicle ID by year chart.
What does the 11th character describe?
The eleventh digit of a Vehicle ID Number describes the final plant where the vehicle is assembled.
Car VIN# 1HGCG1659WA029633
Look at the eleventh character of the VIN A =?
Each manufacturer has its plant codes, and the final plant assembly frequently changes with each manufacturer. Although the manufacturers can change their codes, their eleventh-digit location in the VIN is standardized. Therefore, I cannot provide a current list of these codes.
The Last Six Digits of a Vehicle ID Number
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 vehicle specific.
- The first ten characters may be the same, but every vehicle’s last six digits will differ.
- The ninth digit or Check Digit may also be different on the vehicle.
Conclusion: Vehicle Identification Numbers
In conclusion, understanding Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) is crucial for anyone buying, selling, or registering vehicles. A VIN helps confirm a car’s identity and provides vital information about its history, specifications, and authenticity. Whether you’re checking a car’s history for accidents, verifying features, or ensuring consistency in documentation, knowing how to locate and interpret the VIN is key.
Remember, a VIN offers a wealth of information to protect you from fraud and ensure you know exactly what you’re dealing with. For all your vehicle-related decisions, start with the VIN—it’s your car’s unique fingerprint.
About the author
My name is Carlton Wolf, and I’ve been in the car business since 1994, both retail and wholesale. I created the Auto Cheat Sheet to better educate buyers about the deceptive sales practices many dealerships use nationwide. Please understand that not all car dealers are dishonest. However, you never know who you’ll be dealing with, though. I’m willing to share my knowledge and experience with anyone who listens. Keep in mind that I’m a car guy, not a writer.
