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How to Read a VIN Number — Complete Breakdown

Every vehicle sold in the United States since 1981 has a 17-character Vehicle Identification Number. Each position encodes specific information about the vehicle. Here is exactly what every digit and letter means.

EXAMPLE VIN STRUCTURE

1
H
G
WMI
C
M
8
VDS 4-6
2
6
VDS 7-8
3
Check
A
Year
7
Plant
8
0
0
2
1
2
Serial

VIN Position-by-Position Breakdown

Position 1–3
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)

Identifies the country of manufacture and the manufacturer. Position 1 = country (e.g., '1', '4', '5' = USA; '2' = Canada; '3' = Mexico; 'J' = Japan; 'W' = Germany; 'K' = South Korea). Position 2 = manufacturer. Position 3 = vehicle type or manufacturing division.

1HG = Honda USA | WBA = BMW Germany | JTD = Toyota Japan | KM8 = Hyundai Korea
Position 4–8
Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)

These 5 characters describe the specific vehicle. Position 4 may indicate vehicle category or restraint systems. Positions 5–8 specify the model, body style, engine type, and series. The exact meaning varies by manufacturer — each OEM defines their own encoding within this section.

For a Honda: position 4 = body type, 5 = weight class, 6 = model, 7 = body style, 8 = engine displacement code
Position 9
Check Digit

A single digit (0–9) or letter X, calculated using a mathematical algorithm applied to the other 16 characters. Each character has an assigned value and a positional weight. The sum of all weighted values is divided by 11; the remainder (or 10, represented as 'X') is the check digit. Used to detect transposition errors and VIN fraud.

If calculated check digit = 0 but VIN shows 5, the VIN is invalid
Position 10
Model Year

A single letter or digit representing the vehicle's model year on a 30-year repeating cycle. Letters I, O, Q, U, and Z are not used. The cycle restarted in 2010 (A), so vehicles from 1980–2009 share codes with 2010–2039 models.

A = 1980 or 2010 | K = 1989 or 2019 | P = 1993 or 2023 | Y = 2000 or 2030
Position 11
Plant Code

Identifies the assembly plant where the vehicle was manufactured. This code is manufacturer-specific. Ford, GM, Toyota, and other OEMs each maintain their own plant code dictionaries.

Toyota: A = Aichi Japan, B = Tahara Japan | Ford: A = Atlanta GA, G = Chicago IL
Position 12–17
Sequential Production Number

A 6-digit sequential number assigned to each vehicle as it comes off the assembly line at the plant. Together with the WMI and VDS, this makes every VIN globally unique. Resets to 000001 at the start of each model year.

000001 = first vehicle of the model year off that line | 999999 = maximum before code changes required

Model Year Code Table (1980–2030)

Position 10 uses a 30-year repeating cycle. Letters I, O, Q, U, and Z are not used. The cycle began again in 2010, so context is needed to disambiguate earlier from later cycles.

A
1980
B
1981
C
1982
D
1983
E
1984
F
1985
G
1986
H
1987
J
1988
K
1989
L
1990
M
1991
N
1992
P
1993
R
1994
S
1995
T
1996
V
1997
W
1998
X
1999
Y
2000
1
2001
2
2002
3
2003
4
2004
5
2005
6
2006
7
2007
8
2008
9
2009
A
2010
B
2011
C
2012
D
2013
E
2014
F
2015
G
2016
H
2017
J
2018
K
2019
L
2020
M
2021
N
2022
P
2023
R
2024
S
2025
T
2026
V
2027
W
2028
X
2029
Y
2030

Common VIN Fraud Methods

VIN Cloning
A criminal copies the VIN from a legitimately registered vehicle (same make, model, color, and year) and applies it to a stolen vehicle. The cloned VIN is then used to create fraudulent title and registration documents. Detection: compare all VIN stamp locations on the vehicle — dashboard, door jamb, engine bay, and frame. Any discrepancies indicate potential cloning. An NMVTIS check may also reveal duplicate VINs flagged in the system.
VIN Plate Replacement
The dashboard VIN plate (the small metal or plastic plate visible through the windshield) is physically removed and replaced with one bearing a different VIN. Modern VIN plates are riveted and often protected by security features, but replacements do occur. Check the plate for signs of removal and re-riveting, and compare against secondary VIN locations.
VIN Switching on Salvage Vehicles
A salvage vehicle is given the VIN of a legitimate, clean-title vehicle to avoid the salvage brand. The salvage vehicle is rebuilt and sold as the clean-title car. Title records will show no issues, but the vehicle history — mileage, service records, prior accidents — will not match the VIN's documented history.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many characters are in a VIN?
A standard VIN is exactly 17 characters long. This format has been required for all vehicles sold in the United States since 1981, as standardized by NHTSA and ISO 3779. Letters I, O, and Q are never used to avoid confusion with the numbers 1 and 0.
What does position 10 of a VIN tell you?
Position 10 is the model year code. It uses a letter or number that corresponds to a specific model year on a 30-year repeating cycle. For example, 'K' = 1989 and 2019, 'A' = 1980 and 2010. You must use other positions (like the manufacturer's production records) to disambiguate the cycle.
What is the check digit in a VIN?
Position 9 of the VIN is the check digit — a mathematically derived value calculated from the other 16 characters using a weighted algorithm defined by NHTSA. It is used to verify that the VIN is valid and not transcribed incorrectly. A VIN with an incorrect check digit is either fraudulent or contains a typo.
What is VIN cloning?
VIN cloning is a form of vehicle theft fraud where a criminal copies the VIN from a legitimately registered vehicle and applies it to a stolen vehicle of the same make, model, and color. The cloned vehicle is then sold to an unsuspecting buyer. An NMVTIS check and physical VIN plate inspection can help detect cloned VINs.
Where can I find the VIN on my car?
Primary VIN locations include: the dashboard (visible through the windshield on the driver's side), the driver's door jamb sticker, the engine block, the firewall, the frame rail, and on the vehicle's title and registration documents. Vehicles have VIN stamps in multiple locations to deter fraud.

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