Interpreting Your Vehicle’s VIN Number

If you’ve purchased a vehicle within the last 30 years or so, new or used, you’ve probably come across a 17-digit identification number commonly known as a VIN number. And while you might have figured out that each VIN code is unique, did you know that these digits actually mean something? Together, they can tell you about where the car was manufactured, its weight, its engine type, and much more.

This guide will help you decode your car’s VIN number, using the following VIN code as an example:

1  H  L  Q  U  1  5  2  0  K  A  1  8  6  3  9  2

1st digit - Represents the country in which the car was manufactured. This digit can be either a number or a letter (for example, the U.S. uses 1, 4 or 5.)

2nd digit - Represents the manufacturer.

3rd digit - Represents the division of the manufacturer.

4th through 9th digits - Make up what is called the “Vehicle Descriptor Selection” and varies by manufacturer. These digits represent weight, chassis type, series, body type and engine type.

The 9th digit is known as the check number, identifying the accuracy of the VIN number. (With a few simple mathematical equations, you can determine if your VIN code is fake or not. Check online for tips on how to calculate this!)

10th through 17th digits - Identify a unique vehicle (i.e. no car will have the same 8 sequence of numbers.)

The 10th digit represents the model year--this 30-year cycle started in 1980 with the letter A and ended in 2009 with the number 9. Cars made in 2010 would also use the letter A, cars made in 2011 would use the letter B, etc…

The 11th digit is the plant code and is unique to each manufacturer.

The 12th through 17th digits make up a sort of serial number and are unique to each vehicle.

So, using the VIN code from the top, we can determine that our car is 1) American-made, 2) a Honda, 3) a multi-purpose passenger vehicle, 4) a manual transmission, 4-door sedan, 5) a DX Accord manual seat belt, 6) a 1989 model, and 7) manufactured in Marysville, Ohio.