What does a VIN number mean?

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A vehicle identification number (VIN) is a 17-character sequence assigned to every new car since the 1980s. The number includes a digit, the ninth in the sequence, that acts as a check to validate the others.

Function

The VIN is used to identify and track vehicles for registration purposes. You can use a VIN allows people to track the history of a used car they are interested in.

Location

VINs are located on several different places in cars, including the door post of front doors, on the dashboard, on the engine, on or near the steering wheel and on your car's title. All VIN numbers should match. If they do not, you know cheap replacement parts have been used.

Manufacturing Information

The first three characters of the VIN number represent what country the car was made in, which company made the car and the type of vehicle.

Features

The fourth through eighth characters show the details of the car including the body type, engine types and other features of the car.

Time Frame

The 10th character represents the year that the car was made. For example, "Y" means the car was made in 2000.

Process

The last seven digits represent the particular plant the car was manufactured in and what number vehicle the car was off the assembly line.

Source:

Autohauz AZ: Vehicle Identification Numbers

Auto Insurance Tips: Decoding Your VIN

CarFax: VIN Information

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