Contents

VIN FAQs and what it can tell you

Every vehicle owner has heard of it at some point, and somewhere in the back of the head think that there is more to it than meets the eye. But what is a VIN code, actually? Why is it so important, and what does it mean for your vehicle? Read on, so you know what's what.

What is a VIN?

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique code given to motor vehicles by their manufacturer for identification purposes.

Vehicle DNA

Essentially unique to your vehicle, VIN isn't just a random jumble of numbers and letters; in fact, the automotive industry uses this complex combination of characters as the vehicle's fingerprint or birth certificate that distinguishes it from other vehicles, guaranteeing that no two cars can have the same VIN.

This vehicle identifier is described by several ISO standards:

In a nutshell, VIN is like a key to "everything you want to know" about the vehicle. If you know the VIN code, you can unlock info on its features and technical specs like the car's:

Some manufacturers also encode:

If you know the vehicle's unique identifier, you can also look the VIN up in several databases to figure out whether the vehicle has been stolen, recalled, etc.

Standardized format

Modern-day VINs are made up of 17 characters (numbers and capitals letters) that do not include the letter O (o), I (i), or Q (q) to avoid confusion with numerals 0, 1 and 9. First VINs already appeared in the 1950s, but different manufacturers used different numbering formats to stamp vehicles with unique IDs, and it took several decades before the format was standardized and universally accepted. Before that, cars and trucks were usually registered by their engine number - which could become a problem since engines were commonly replaced at that time. In 1981, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration created a consistent, unified format. And since then, all sold on-road vehicles must be identified by the agreed-upon digit sequence and concealed chassis markings of the specific and very complex structure of VIN code.

What do the characters in a VIN mean?

A VIN is composed of 17 characters (numbers and capital letters) that break down into 3 main components - World Manufacturer Identifier, Vehicle Description Section, and Vehicle Identifier Section.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
WMI VDS VIS

Modern VINs are based on standards issued by the ISO (most common is the ISO 3779 used in the EU). All in all, the structure of a particular VIN depends on the very standard used to encode it. Compatible yet somewhat different applications of the standards have been adopted by the EU and the U. S. markets. But do not get mistaken; when it comes to rules, the EU has similar regulations for VINs, only not as strictly bound by them compared to the North American type. European VINs are not required to include year, factory, or vehicle attribute data.

Worldwide standards in VIN decoding

Standard 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
ISO 3779 World Manufacturer Identifier Vehicle Descriptor Section Vehicle Identifier Section

European Union

more than 500 vehicles/year

World Manufacturer Identifier Indication of "the general characteristics of the vehicle" Indication that provides "clear identification of a particular vehicle"

European Union

500 or fewer vehicles/year

World Manufacturer Identifier 9 Indication of "the general characteristics of the vehicle" Indication that provides "clear identification of a particular vehicle"

North America

more than 2,000 vehicles/year

World Manufacturer Identifier Vehicle Attributes Check Digit Model Year Plant Code Sequential Number

North America

2,000 or fewer vehicles/year

World Manufacturer Identifier 9 Vehicle Attributes Check Digit Model Year Plant Code Manufacturer Identifier Sequential Number

Parts of VIN

In general, all on-road vehicles must have a 17-character long VIN code consisting of only numbers and capital letters. A valid VIN will never contain letters O, I, or Q, as they are easily confused with numerals 0, 1, and 9. Complex as it may look at first glance, there is a mechanism behind the madness, and each portion of the string tells you a different part of the story.

Each of the 17 characters has a specific meaning, and the whole code is organized into 3 groups. So, without further ado, let's take a look at what goes into the components so you can quickly read your VIN because its search can tell you a lot about your vehicle.

WMI - World Manufacturer Identifier

The group of first 3 digits designates the manufacturer of the vehicle. Manufacturers that produce fewer than 500 vehicles per year in the EU (and fewer than 2000 vehicles per year in North America) use a number 9 as the 3rd character and the 12th, 13th, and 14th (3rd, 4th, and 5th of VIS) position of the VIN as a second part of the identification.

WMI Manufacturer
1B3 Dodge
1C3 Chrysler
1C4 Chrysler
1C6 Chrysler
1D3 Dodge
1F Ford
1F9 FWD Corp.
1FA Ford Motor Company
1FB Ford Motor Company
1FC Ford Motor Company
1FD Ford Motor Company
1FM Ford Motor Company
1FT Ford Motor Company
1FU Freightliner
1FV Freightliner
1G General Motors USA
1G1 Chevrolet USA
1G2 Pontiac USA
1G3 Oldsmobile USA
1G4 Buick USA
1G6 Cadillac USA
1G8 Saturn USA
1G9 Google
1GB Chevrolet incomplete vehicles
1GC Chevrolet Truck USA
1GD GMC incomplete vehicles
1GM Pontiac USA
1GT GMC Truck USA
1GY Cadillac USA
1H Honda USA
1HD Harley-Davidson
1HG Honda
1HT International Truck and Engine Corp. USA
1J Jeep
1J4 Jeep
1J8 Jeep
1L Lincoln USA
1M Mercury
1M1 Mack Truck USA
1M2 Mack Truck USA
1M3 Mack Truck USA
1M4 Mack Truck USA
1M9 Mynatt Truck & Equipment
1ME Mercury USA
1MR Continental
1N Nissan USA
1NX NUMMI USA
1P3 Plymouth USA
1PY John Deere USA
1R9 Roadrunner Hay Squeeze USA
1VW Volkswagen USA
1XK Kenworth USA
1XP Peterbilt USA
1YV Mazda USA (AutoAlliance International)
1ZV Ford (AutoAlliance International)
2A4 Chrysler Canada
2B3 Dodge Canada
2B7 Dodge Canada
2BP Bombardier Recreational Products
2C3 Chrysler Canada
2CN CAMI
2D3 Dodge Canada
2DG Ontario Drive & Gear
2F Ford
2FA Ford Motor Company Canada
2FB Ford Motor Company Canada
2FC Ford Motor Company Canada
2FM Ford Motor Company Canada
2FT Ford Motor Company Canada
2FU Freightliner
2FV Freightliner
2FZ Sterling
2G1 Chevrolet Canada
2G2 Pontiac Canada
2G3 Oldsmobile Canada
2G4 Buick Canada
2G9 mfr. of less than 1000/ yr. Canada
2Gx General Motors Canada
2HG Honda Canada
2HH Acura
2HJ Honda Canada
2HK Honda Canada
2HM Hyundai Canada
2L9 Les Contenants Durabac
2LN Lincoln
2M Mercury
2NV Nova Bus Canada
2P3 Plymouth Canada
2T Toyota Canada
2TP Triple E Canada LTD
2V4 Volkswagen Canada
2V8 Volkswagen Canada
2WK Western Star
2WL Western Star
2WM Western Star
3C4 Chrysler Mexico
3C6 RAM Mexico
3D3 Dodge Mexico
3D4 Dodge Mexico
3F Ford
3FA Ford Motor Company Mexico
3FE Ford Motor Company Mexico
3G General Motors Mexico
3H Honda Mexico
3HG Honda
3HM Honda
3JB BRP Mexico (all-terrain vehicles)
3KP Kia
3MD Mazda Mexico
3MZ Mazda Mexico
3N Nissan Mexico
3NE Polaris Industries USA
3NS Polaris Industries USA
3P3 Plymouth Mexico
3VW Volkswagen Mexico
46J Federal Motors Inc. USA
4EN Emergency One USA
4F Mazda USA
4J Mercedes-Benz
4JG Mercedes-Benz USA
4M Mercury
4P1 Pierce Manufacturing Inc. USA
4RK Nova Bus USA
4S Subaru-Isuzu Automotive
4S2 Isuzu Motors America Inc
4S3 Subaru
4S4 Subaru
4S6 Honda
4T Toyota
4T9 Lumen Motors
4UF Arctic Cat Inc.
4US BMW USA
4UZ Frt-Thomas Bus
4V1 Volvo
4V2 Volvo
4V3 Volvo
4V4 Volvo
4V5 Volvo
4V6 Volvo
4VL Volvo
4VM Volvo
4VZ Volvo
538 Zero Motorcycles (USA)
56K Indian Motorcycle USA
5F Honda USA-Alabama
5FN Honda
5J Honda USA-Ohio
5J6 Honda
5L Lincoln
5N1 Nissan USA
5NM Hyundai
5NP Hyundai USA
5T Toyota USA - trucks
5U BMW
5X Hyundai/Kia
5YJ Tesla, Inc.
6AB MAN Australia
6F Ford
6F4 Nissan Motor Company Australia
6F5 Kenworth Australia
6FP Ford Motor Company Australia
6G General Motors
6G1 General Motors-Holden (post Nov 2002)
6G2 Pontiac Australia (GTO & G8)
6H Holden
6H8 General Motors-Holden (pre Nov 2002)
6MM Mitsubishi Motors Australia
6T1 Toyota Motor Corporation Australia
6T9 Trailer
6U9 Privately Imported car in Australia
7A1 Mitsubishi
7A3 Honda
7A4 Toyota
7A5 Ford
7A8 NZ Transport Agency (pre-2009)
7AT NZ Transport Agency (post-2009)
7FA Honda
7JR Volvo
829 Quantum
8A1 Renault Argentina
8AC Mercedes Benz
8AD Peugeot Argentina
8AF Ford Motor Company Argentina
8AG Chevrolet Argentina
8AJ Toyota Argentina
8AK Suzuki Argentina
8AN Nissan
8AP Fiat Argentina
8AT Iveco
8AW Volkswagen Argentina
8BB Agrale Argentina S.A
8BC Citroën
8C3 Honda
8G1 Automotores Franco Chilena S.A
8GD Automotores Franco Chilena S.A, Peugeot Chile
8GG Chevrolet Chile
8LB General Motors OBB
8LD Chevrolet Ecuador
8LF Maresa
8LG Aymesa
8Z1 General Motors Venezolana C.A.
935 Citroën Brazil
936 Peugeot Brazil
93H Honda Brazil
93P Volare
93R Toyota Brazil
93U Audi Brazil
93V Audi Brazil
93W Fiat Professional
93X Mitsubishi Motors Brazil
93Y Renault Brazil
93Z Iveco
94D Nissan Brazil
94G Indabra
94M HVR-Busscar
94N RWM Brazil
953 VW Trucks / MAN
95P CAOA / Hyundai
988 Jeep
98M BMW
98R Chery
99A Audi
99J Jaguar Land Rover
99L BYD
9AM Massari
9BD Fiat Automóveis
9BF Ford Motor Company Brazil
9BG Chevrolet Brazil
9BH Hyundai
9BM Mercedes-Benz Brazil
9BN Mafersa
9BR Toyota Brazil
9BS Scania Brazil
9BV Volvo Trucks
9BW Volkswagen Brazil
9BY Agrale S/A
9C2 Honda Motorcycles
9C6 Yamaha
9CD Suzuki (motorcycles)
9FB Renault Colombia
9FC Compañía Colombiana Automotriz S.A
9GC General Motors Colmotores S.A
9UJ Chery
9UK Lifan
9UW Kia
AAV Volkswagen South Africa
AC5 Hyundai South Africa
ADD Hyundai South Africa
ADM General Motors South Africa
ADN Nissan South Africa (Pty) Ltd
AFA Ford South Africa
AHT Toyota South Africa
BF9 KIBO Motorcycles
CL9 Wallyscar
DA1 Arab American Vehicles Company
DA4 Arab American Vehicles Company
DAA Fiat Auto Egypt Industrial Co
DAB BMW Egypt SKD
J8B Isuzu Motor Co/Chevrolet
JA Isuzu
JA3 Mitsubishi
JA4 Mitsubishi
JAA Isuzu
JAL Isuzu
JAM Isuzu
JC1 Fiat Automobiles/Mazda
JD Daihatsu
JDA Daihatsu Motor Co. Ltd.
JD1 Daihatsu Motor Co. Ltd.
JF Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru)
JF1 Subaru - Fuji Heavy Industries
JF2 Subaru - Fuji Heavy Industries
JF3 Subaru - Fuji Heavy Industries
JF4 SAAB
JF5 Pontiac
JH1 Honda
JH2 Honda
JH3 Honda
JH4 Honda
JH5 Honda
JHA Hino
JHB Hino
JHC Hino
JHD Hino
JHE Hino
JHF Hino, Honda
JHH Hino
JHG Honda
JHL Honda
JHM Honda
JHN Honda
JHZ Honda
JK Kawasaki (motorcycles)
JL5 Mitsubishi Fuso
JM0 Mazda for Oceania export
JM1 Mazda
JM6 Mazda
JMB Mitsubishi Motors
JMY Mitsubishi Motors
JMZ Mazda
JN Nissan
JS Suzuki
JT Toyota
JY Yamaha (motorcycles)
KL Daewoo General Motors South Korea
KL1 Daewoo/GM Korea
KL2 Daewoo/GM Korea
KLA Daewoo/GM Korea
KM Hyundai
KM1 Hyosung (motorcycles)
KMA Asia Motors Co Inc
KMH Hyundai
KMY Daelim (motorcycles)
KN Kia
KNA Kia
KNC Kia
KNE Kia
KNM Renault Samsung
KPA SsangYong
KPT SsangYong
L1C Hubei Huawei Special-Purpose Automobile
L2C Chery Jaguar Land Rover
L4B Xingyue Group (motorcycles)
L5C KangDi (ATV)
L5K Zhejiang Yongkang Easy Vehicle
L5N Zhejiang Taotao, China (ATV & motorcycles)
L5Y Merato Motorcycle Taizhou Zhongneng
L6T Geely
L85 Zhejiang Yongkang Huabao Electric Appliance
L8X Zhejiang Summit Huawin Motorcycle
LA6 King Long
LAE Jinan Qingqi Motorcycle
LAL Sundiro Honda Motorcycle
LAN Changzhou Yamasaki Motorcycle
LB2 Geely Motorcycles
LB3 Geely
LBB Zhejiang Qianjiang Motorcycle (Keeway/Generic)
LBE Beijing Hyundai
LBM Zongshen Piaggio
LBP Chongqing Jainshe Yamaha (motorcycles)
LBV BMW Brilliance
LC0 BYD Industry
LCE Hangzhou Chunfeng Motorcycles (CFMOTO)
LDC Dong Feng Peugeot Citroen (DPCA), China
LDD Dandong Huanghai Automobile
LDF Dezhou Fulu Vehicle (motorcycles)
LDN SouEast Motor
LDY Zhongtong Coach, China
LE4 Beijing Benz, China
LET Jiangling-Isuzu Motors, China
LFA Ford Lio Ho Motor Co Ltd
LFB FAW, China (busses)
LFG Taizhou Chuanl Motorcycle Manufacturing
LFM FAW Toyota
LFP FAW, China (passenger vehicles)
LFT FAW, China (trailers)
LFV FAW-Volkswagen, China
LFW FAW JieFang, China
LFY Changshu Light Motorcycle Factory
LGB Dong Feng (DFM), China
LGH Qoros (formerly Dong Feng (DFM)), China
LGJ Dongfeng Fengshen
LGW Great Wall (Havel)
LGX BYD Auto, China
LH1 FAW-Haima, China
LHB Beijing Automotive Industry Holding
LHG Guangzhou Honda
LJ1 JAC, China
LJC JAC, China
LJD Dongfeng Yueda Kia
LJU Shanghai Maple Automobile Co.
LKL Suzhou King Long, China
LL6 Hunan Changfeng Manufacture Joint-Stock
LL8 Linhai (ATV)
LLV Lifan
LMC Suzuki Hong Kong (motorcycles)
LMG GAC Trumpchi
LPA Changan PSA (DS Automobiles)
LPR Yamaha Hong Kong (motorcycles)
LPS Polestar (Volvo) (Sweden)
LRW Tesla
LS5 Changan Suzuki
LSF SAIC Maxus
LSG Shanghai General Motors, China
LSJ MG Motor UK Limited - SAIC Motor, Shanghai, China
LSV Shanghai Volkswagen, China
LSY Brilliance Zhonghua
LTP National Electric Vehicle Sweden AB (NEVS)
LTV Toyota Tian Jin
LUC Guangqi Honda, China
LUX Dongfeng Yulon Motor Co. Ltd
LV3 National Electric Vehicle Sweden AB (NEVS)
LVG GAC Toyota
LVH Dongfeng Honda
LVR Changan Mazda
LVS Ford Chang An
LVV Chery, China
LVZ Dong Feng Sokon Motor Company (DFSK)
LWV GAC Fiat
LZE Isuzu Guangzhou, China
LZG Shaanxi Automobile Group, China
LZM MAN China
LZP Zhongshan Guochi Motorcycle (Baotian)
LZW SAIC GM Wuling
LZY Yutong Zhengzhou, China
LZZ Chongqing Shuangzing Mech & Elec (Howo)
MA1 Mahindra & Mahindra
MA3 Suzuki India (Maruti)
MA6 GM India
MA7 Mitsubishi India (formerly Honda)
MAB Mahindra & Mahindra
MAC Mahindra & Mahindra
MAJ Ford India
MAK Honda Siel Cars India
MAL Hyundai
MAT Tata Motors
MB1 Ashok Leyland
MB8 Suzuki India Motorcycles
MBH Suzuki India (Maruti)
MBJ Toyota India
MBK MAN Truck & Bus India Pvt. Ltd
MBR Mercedes-Benz India
MBU Swaraj Vehicles Limited
MBV Premier Car World Pvt. Ltd
MBY Asia Motor Works good vehicle Ltd
MC1 Force Motors Limited
MC2 Volvo Eicher commercial vehicles limited.
MC4 Dilip chhabria design pvt ltd
MCA Fiat India
MCB GM India
MCL International Cars And Motors Ltd
MD2 Bajaj Auto
MD9 Shuttle Cars India
MDH Nissan India
MEC Daimler India Commercial Vehicles
MEE Renault India
MEX Volkswagen India
MHF Toyota Indonesia
MHR Honda Indonesia
MLC Suzuki Thailand
MLH Honda Thailand
MM0 Mazda
MM8 Mazda Thailand
MMA Mitsubishi Thailand
MMB Mitsubishi Thailand
MMC Mitsubishi Thailand
MMF BMW
MMH Tata
MMK Toyota (Auto Works plant)
MML MG
MMM Chevrolet Thailand
MMR Subaru
MMS Suzuki Thailand
MMT Mitsubishi Thailand
MMU Holden Thailand
MNB Ford Thailand
MNK Hino Motors Manufacturing Thailand Co Ltd
MNT Nissan Thailand
MP1 Isuzu Thailand
MP5 Foton
MPA Isuzu Thailand
MPB Ford (FTM plant)
MR0 Toyota Thailand
MR2 Toyota (Gateway plant)
MRH Honda Thailand
MS0 SSS MOTORS Myanmar
MS3 Suzuki Myanmar Motor Co.,Ltd.
NAA Iran Khodro (Peugeot Iran)
NAD Saipa Diesel
NAG Bahman Industrial Group
NAP Pars Khodro
NFB Honda Atlas Cars Pakistan Ltd
NLA Honda Türkiye
NLC Askam Kamyon Imalat Ve Tic.A.S.
NLE Mercedes-Benz Türk Truck
NLH Hyundai Assan
NLR OTOKAR
NLT TEMSA
NM0 Ford Turkey
NM1 Oyak-Renault Oto Fab AS
NM4 Tofaş Türk
NMA MAN
NMB Mercedes-Benz Türk Buses
NMC BMC
NMT Toyota Türkiye
NNA Isuzu Turkey
PAB Isuzu Philippines Corporation
PE1 Ford Philippines
PE3 Mazda Philippines
PL1 Proton, Malaysia
PL8 Hyundai/Inokom
PLP Subaru
PLZ ISUZU
PM1 BMW
PM2 Perodua
PM9 Bufori
PMH Honda
PMK Honda Boon Siew
PML Hicom
PMN Modenas
PMV Yamaha Hong Leong
PN1 Toyota
PN2 Toyota
PN8 Nissan
PNA NAZA, Malaysia (Peugeot)
PNV Volvo Cars
PP1 Mazda
PP3 Hyundai
PPP Suzuki
PPV Volkswagen
PR8 Ford
PRA Sinotruk
PRH Chery
R2P Evoke Electric Motorcycles HK
RA1 Steyr Trucks International FZE, UAE
RF3 Aeon Motor, Taiwan
RF5 Yulon Motor Co Ltd
RFB Kymco, Taiwan
RFD Tai Ling Motor Co Ltd
RFG Sanyang SYM, Taiwan
RFL Adly, Taiwan
RFT CPI, Taiwan
RHA Ford Lio Ho Motor Co Ltd
RKL Toyota Taiwán
RLE Isuzu Vietnam Co Ltd
SAB Optare
SAD Jaguar (F-Pace, I-Pace)
SAJ Jaguar
SAL Land Rover
SAR Rover
SAT Triumph
SAX Austin-Rover
SB1 Toyota UK
SBM McLaren
SCA Rolls Royce
SCB Bentley
SCC Lotus Cars
SCE DeLorean Motor Cars N. Ireland (UK)
SCF Aston
SCK iFor Williams
SDB Peugeot UK (formerly Talbot)
SED General Motors Luton Plant
SEY LDV
SFA Ford UK
SFD Alexander Dennis UK
SFE Alexander Dennis (North America)
SHH Honda UK
SHS Honda UK
SJK Nissan
SJL Nissan
SJM Nissan
SJN Nissan UK
SKF Vauxhall
SLP JCB Research UK
SMT Triumph Motorcycles
SU9 Solaris Bus & Coach (Poland)
SUD Wielton
SUF Fiat Auto Poland
SUL FSC (Poland)
SUP FSO-Daewoo (Poland)
SUU Solaris Bus & Coach (Poland)
SWV TA-NO (Poland)
TCC Micro Compact Car AG (smart 1998-1999)
TDM QUANTYA Swiss Electric Movement (Switzerland)
TEB Johnston sweeper (Bucher)
TK9 SOR buses (Czech Republic)
TM9 Škoda trolleybuses (Czech Republic)
TMA Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech
TMB Škoda (Czech Republic)
TMK Karosa (Czech Republic)
TMP Škoda trolleybuses (Czech Republic)
TMT Tatra (Czech Republic)
TN9 Karosa (Czech Republic)
TNE TAZ
TRA Ikarus Bus
TRU Audi Hungary
TSB Ikarus Bus
TSE Ikarus Egyedi Autobuszgyar, (Hungary)
TSM Suzuki Hungary
TW1 Toyota Caetano Portugal
TW8 General Motors De Portugal Lda
TYA Mitsubishi Trucks Portugal
TYB Mitsubishi Trucks Portugal
U5Y Kia Motors Slovakia
U6Y Kia Motors Slovakia
UU Dacia
UU1 Renault Dacia, (Romania)
UU2 Oltcit
UU3 ARO
UU4 Roman SA
UU5 Rocar
UU6 Daewoo Romania
UU7 Euro Bus Diamond
UU9 Astra Bus
UZT UTB (Uzina de Tractoare Brașov)
VA0 ÖAF
VAG Magna Steyr Puch
VAN MAN Austria
VBK KTM (Motorcycles)
VF1 Renault
VF2 Renault
VF3 Peugeot
VF4 Talbot
VF5 Iveco Unic SA
VF6 Renault (Trucks & Buses)
VF7 Citroën
VF8 Matra
VF9 Bugatti
VF9/795 Bugatti
VFE IvecoBus
VG5 MBK (motorcycles)
VLU Scania France
VN1 SOVAB (France)
VNE Irisbus (France)
VNK Toyota France
VNV Renault-Nissan
VR1 DS Automobiles
VS6 Ford Spain
VS7 Citroën Spain
VS9 Carrocerias Ayats (Spain)
VSA Mercedes-Benz Spain
VSE Suzuki Spain (Santana Motors)
VSK Nissan Spain
VSS SEAT
VSX Opel Spain
VTH Derbi (motorcycles)
VTL Yamaha Spain (motorcycles)
VTT Suzuki Spain (motorcycles)
VV9 TAURO Spain
VWA Nissan Spain
VWV Volkswagen Spain
VX1 Zastava / Yugo Serbia
W08 Adam Opel AG Belgium
W09 RUF
W0L Opel
W0SV Opel Special Vehicles
W0V Opel (since 2017)
WA1 Audi SUV
WAG Neoplan
WAP Alpina
WAU Audi
WB1 BMW Motorrad of North America
WBA BMW
WBS BMW M
WBW BMW
WBX BMW
WBY BMW
WDA Daimler
WDB Mercedes-Benz
WDC DaimlerChrysler
WDD DaimlerChrysler AG/Daimler AG, Mercedes-Benz
WMX DaimlerChrysler AG/Daimler AG, Mercedes-AMG
WDF Mercedes-Benz (commercial vehicles)
WEB Evobus GmbH (Mercedes-Bus)
WF0 Ford Germany
WJM Iveco Magirus
WJR Irmscher
WKE Fahrzeugwerk Bernard Krone (truck trailers)
WKK Kässbohrer/Setra
WMA MAN Germany
WME smart
WMW MINI
WP0 Porsche
WP1 Porsche SUV
WSM Schmitz-Cargobull (truck trailers)
WUA Audi Sport GmbH (formerly quattro GmbH)
WV1 Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
WV2 Volkswagen Bus/Van
WV3 Volkswagen Trucks
WVG Volkswagen MPV/SUV
WVW Volkswagen
X1M PAZ (Russia)
X4X AvtoTor (Russia, BMW SKD)
X7L Renault AvtoFramos (Russia)
X7M Hyundai TagAZ (Russia)
XL9/363 Spyker
XLB Volvo (NedCar)
XLE Scania Netherlands
XLR DAF (trucks)
XMC Mitsubishi (NedCar)
XMG VDL Bus & Coach
XTA Lada/AvtoVAZ (Russia)
XTB AZLK
XTC KAMAZ (Russia)
XTH GAZ (Russia)
XTT UAZ/Sollers (Russia)
XTU Trolza (Russia)
XTY LiAZ (Russia)
XU1 UAZ Special Purpose Vehicles Ltd
XUF General Motors Russia
XUU AvtoTor (Russia, General Motors SKD)
XW8 Volkswagen Group Russia
XWB UZ-Daewoo (Uzbekistan)
XWE AvtoTor (Russia, Hyundai-Kia SKD)
Y3M MAZ (Belarus)
Y6D Zaporozhets/AvtoZAZ (Ukraine)
YB1 Volvo Trucks Belgium
YBW Volkswagen Belgium
YCM Mazda Belgium
YE2 Van Hool (buses)
YH2 BRP Finland (Lynx snowmobiles)
YK1 Saab-Valmet Finland
YS2 Scania AB
YS3 Saab
YS4 Scania Bus
YSC Cadillac (Saab)
YT9 Koenigsegg Automotive AB
YT9/007 Koenigsegg
YT9/034 Carvia
YTN Saab NEVS
YU7 Husaberg (motorcycles)
YV1 Volvo Cars
YV2 Volvo Trucks
YV3 Volvo Buses
YV4 Volvo Cars
YVV Polestar (Volvo) (Sweden)
Z8M Marussia (Russia)
ZA9 Bugatti
ZAA Autobianchi
ZAM Maserati
ZAP Piaggio/Vespa/Gilera
ZAR Alfa Romeo
ZBN Benelli
ZCF Iveco
ZCG Cagiva SpA / MV Agusta
ZD0 Yamaha Italy
ZD3 Beta Motor
ZD4 Aprilia
ZDC Honda Italia Industriale SpA
ZDF Ferrari Dino
ZDM Ducati Motor Holdings SpA
ZFA Fiat
ZFC Fiat V.I.
ZFF Ferrari
ZGA IvecoBus
ZGU Moto Guzzi
ZHW Lamborghini
ZJM Malaguti
ZJN Innocenti
ZKH Husqvarna Motorcycles Italy
ZLA Lancia

Rows = 1st character of WMI
Columns = 2nd character of WMI

Continent
Africa A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
Asia J
K
L
M
N
P
R
Europe S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
North America 1
2
3
4
5
Oceania 6
7
South America 8
9
0
Continent
A B C D E F G H J K L M N P R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
South Africa Ivory Coast Lesotho Botswana Namibia Madagascar Mauritius Tunisia Cyprus Zimbabwe Mozambique Africa
Angola Africa Kenya Africa Nigeria Africa Algeria Africa Libya Africa
Egypt Africa Morocco Africa Zambia Africa
 
 
 
 
 
Japan
Sri Lanka Israel South Korea Kazakhstan
China
India Indonesia Thailand Myanmar Asia
Iran Pakistan Turkey Asia
Philippines Singapore Malaysia Asia
UAE Taiwan Vietnam Saudi Arabia
United Kingdom Eastern Germany Poland Latvia Europe
Switzerland Czech Republic Hungary Portugal Europe
Europe Denmark Ireland Romania Europe Slovakia Europa
Austria France Spain Serbia Croatia Estonia
Germany
Bulgaria Greece Netherlands USSR Luxembourg Russia
Belgium Finland Malta Sweden Norway Belarus Ukraine
Italy Europe Slovenia Lithuania Europe
United States
Canada
Mexico
United States
United States
Australia Oceania
New Zealand Oceania
Argentina Chile Ecuador Peru Venezuela South America
Brazil Colombia Paraguay Uruguay Trinidad & Tobago Brazil South America
South America Not Used
A B C D E F G H J K L M N P R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

VDS - Vehicle Description Section

The next 6 characters (positions 4 thru 9) are used to describe the vehicle with information like the model, platform, body type, transmission used, engine code, or other features such as safety belts, airbags, etc. The specific use of these digits differs from company to company, so if you want to get more details, you need to go to the manufacturer website for your vehicle.

The 9th character has a special meaning in the world of VIN - in North America, it is always a check digit that is used to detect an invalid VIN. However, this is not the case in Europe, as there is no way to check if there is an error in VIN; this digit then allows for more space to further identify the specs of the vehicle with information like the engine code, body, etc.

VIS - Vehicle Identifier Section

Positions 10 thru 17 are used by manufacturers to identify the individual vehicle. In North America, the last 6 digits must be numeric.

The 10th character is the model year encoding, required worldwide, with the letters from A to Y identifying model years 1980 to 2000 (as stated earlier, letters I, O, Q, are omitted within the full length of VIN, and U, Z and 0 are not allowed to be used in the 10th position identifying the model year). From 2001 to 2009, numbers 1 thru 9 were used in place of letters - 2001 was given code 1, 2002 is code 2, and so forth. The alphabet starts over from A in 2010 and will continue until 2030. And then all over every 30 years. Which means that no two cars built can have the same VIN.

Code
Year
A
1980
B
1981
C
1982
D
1983
E
1984
F
1985
G
1986
H
1987
J
1988
K
1989
Code
Year
L
1990
M
1991
N
1992
P
1993
R
1994
S
1995
T
1996
V
1997
W
1998
X
1999
Code
Year
Y
2000
1
2001
2
2002
3
2003
4
2004
5
2005
6
2006
7
2007
8
2008
9
2009
Code
Year
A
2010
B
2011
C
2012
D
2013
E
2014
F
2015
G
2016
H
2017
J
2018
K
2019
Code
Year
L
2020
M
2021
N
2022
P
2023
R
2024
S
2025
T
2026
V
2027
W
2028
X
2029
Code
Year
Y
2030
1
2031
2
2032
3
2033
4
2034
5
2035
6
2036
7
2037
8
2038
9
2039

The 11th character is the plant code, representing the factory where the vehicle was assembled, with each automaker having its own set of plant codes. And since each vehicle produced by the same factory has its own production sequence number, every vehicle produced in a given year has a unique VIN.

The last six characters (positions 12 thru 17) are production sequence numbers that each vehicle receives as it rolls off the assembly line. They help to identify the vehicle itself, sort of like the serial number. Small manufacturers (those making fewer than 500 cars per year) use the 12th, 13th, and 14th character as additional manufacturer identification codes.

Most common locations to find VIN

Where is your VIN hidden? First things first, it will be listed on the car's title, registration, on the declarations page of your liability insurance policy, and the service book. Last but not least, it has to be located on the body of the vehicle, fixed to a special plate by the manufacturer.

Vehicle registration

If you are looking to know what your car's VIN is, you are sure to easily locate it in the vehicle title where it must be listed, no matter what. And obviously, the VIN in your documents needs to be the same with the VIN code stamped into a plate mounted on your vehicle.

The body of the vehicle

But where is VIN on your car? Primarily, it has to be directly marked on an integral part of the vehicle, i.e., somewhere permanently fixed to the vehicle - either on the frame-body or on a part of the body not easily removed or replaced. In general, there are more places to find it, and different manufacturers will have VIN on different parts of the vehicle. Typically, it can be found under the hood, often stamped on the engine block. Some vehicles have them placed in specific locations. And of course, manufacturers also place them in unadvertised locations for safety purposes. However, usually, it is under the front passenger seat, on a sticker or a plate on the inside of the driver-side door jamb. Sometimes you can also find it printed inside the glove compartment. Here are a few other places you may be able to locate the VIN on your vehicle:

Dashboard

The most common location for VIN is on the dash on the driver's side. Typically it will be stamped into a plate mounted close to where the windshield and the dashboard meet so that it gives the best view when trying to read it from the outside of the car. Sometimes, the VIN can also be etched by weak acid into other windows of the vehicle, but this has been lately viewed as an unnecessary investment on the part of the vehicle owner.