Decode the VIN

If you're like most people, you probably think a vehicle identification number (VIN) is just a series of random characters. Actually, each character in this highly structured code has its own meaning. In fact, deciphering these codes is a hobby for some car enthusiasts, including collectors who want to own one of the first or last cars to come off an assembly line.

When you're considering purchasing a pre-owned vehicle, it's always a good idea to obtain a vehicle history report (VHR) or VIN check. Knowing how to read the VIN could help you make an informed decision before you buy.

Decoding a Sample VIN

The infographic below provides a simplified look at a sample VIN. Keep in mind that vehicles manufactured before 1981 might have fewer characters than today's standard VIN of 17 characters.

Model Year & Country Codes

As shown above, the 10th character of the VIN indicates its model year.

A: 1980 or 2010

B: 1981 or 2011

C: 1982 or 2012

D: 1983 or 2013

E: 1984 or 2014

F: 1985 or 2015

G: 1986 or 2016

H: 1987 or 2017

J: 1988 or 2018

K: 1989 or 2019

L: 1990 or 2020

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

Country of Origin Character Codes

The 1st character in a car's vehicle identification number indicates the country in which it was manufactured.

Some of the country codes include: