This is an educational tool for those that do not know the name of a part.

VIN - What do all those numbers mean?

We all know that each and every vehicle has its very own serial number, a 17 digit Vehicle Identification Number. But just what exactly do those numbers mean and where do they come from? Here is a handy breakdown of the numbers and what they represent.


Character One
identifies the car's country of origin.
(Scroll until you find the matching digit)
Digit 1       Country

Character Two
identifies the manufacturer.
(Scroll until you find the matching digit)
Digit 2       Manufacturer

Character Three
identifies the vehicle type or manufacturing division.

Characters Four through Eight
identify various vehicle attributes, such as: car line and series, restraint system, engine type and body style.

Character Nine
is the check digit (verifies VIN accuracy)

Character Ten
identifies the year of the model.
(Scroll until you find the matching digit)
Digit 10    Year

Character Eleven
identifies the assembly plant.

Character Twelve through Seventeen
provide the production sequence.

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