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VIN Decoding

How to decode a VIN

So you have a VIN and obtained records from a vehicle history report. What else can a VIN number tell me? The 17 characters of the VIN, once decoded will not provide information on the value, condition or history of a used vehicle.

Decoding a VIN can, however confirm important, specific information about that particular vehicle as it left the manufacturing plant such as the vehicle features, engine type the year the it was manufactured, the country's origin, manufacturing plant, the serial number, etc.. You can reference the below chart on how to decode a VIN.

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VIN Characters

VIN Character Position Information contained
1 Country of origin
2 Vehicle manufacturer
3 Vehicle type
4-8 Vehicle information
9 VIN check digit
10 Model year
11 Assembly plant
12-17 Serial number of the vehicle

Decode a VIN

VIN 1: Country of origin
1 = USA K = Korea
2 = Canada S = England
3 = Mexico T = Germany
4 = USA V = France
5 = USA W = Germany
6 = Australia Y = Finland, Sweden
9 = Mexico Z = Italy
J = Japan
VIN 2 Vehicle manufacturer/make
1 = Chevrolet (Chevy) C = Chrysler
2 = Pontiac D = Mercedes Benz
3 = Oldsmobile F = Ford
4 = Buick G = General Motors
5 = Pontiac H = Honda
6 = Cadillac L = Lincoln
7 = GM Canada M = Mercury
8 = Saturn N = Nissan
A = Audi P = Plymouth
A = Jaguar T = Toyota
B = BMW V = Volvo
B = Dodge
VIN 3: Vehicle type or manufacturing division
VIN 4-8: Vehicle information
(engine size, body style, fuel type, model, etc.)
VIN 9: VIN Check Digit
Verifies the accuracy of the vehicle identification number description.
VIN 10: Model year
J = 1988 Y = 2000
K = 1989 1 = 2001
L = 1990 2 = 2002
M = 1991 3 = 2003
N = 1992 4 = 2004
P = 1993 5 = 2005
R = 1994 6 = 2006
S = 1995 7 = 2007
T = 1996 8= 2008
V = 1997 9 = 2009
W = 1998 A = 2010
X = 1999 B = 2011
VIN 11: Assembly Plant
VIN 12-17: Vehicle serial number