Vehicle Information

We had a client that needed to breakdown a vehicle identification number (VIN) and wanted to avoid paying a monthly fee to decode the basic information. This unique code assigned to every motor vehicle when it's manufactured is a standardized format (since 1981). There requirement was for automobiles for 2000 and later so this routine works perfectly for them. The VIN is a 17-character string of letters and numbers without intervening spaces or the letters Q (q), I (i), and O (o); these are omitted to avoid confusion with the numerals 0 and 1. Each section of the VIN provides a specific piece of information about the vehicle, including the year, country, and factory of manufacture; the make and model; and the serial number. VINs are usually printed in a single line.

VIN Number Information

  • Position 1: Country Built In
  • Position 2-3: Manufacturer (Flexible fuel vehicles can be identified by the 2nd, 3rd, and 8th digits of the VIN))
  • Position 4-8: Vehicle Information (Brand, Engine Size, and Type)
  • Position 9: Security code that identifies the VIN as being authorized by the manufacturer
  • Position 10: Model year of the car
  • Position 11: Indicates which plant assembled the vehicle in
  • Position 12-17: Serial number of the vehicle

Code Country
A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H Africa
J, K, L, M, N, P, and R Asia
S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, and Z Europe
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 North America
6 and 7 Oceania
8 and 9 South America

Code Continent Country Manufacturer
AAVAfricaSouth AfricaVolkswagen
AHTAfricaSouth AfricaToyota
AFAAfricaSouth AfricaFord
CL9AfricaTunisiaWallyscar
JAAsiaJapanIsuzu
JC1AsiaJapanFiat Automobiles/Mazda
JFAsiaJapanFuji Heavy Industries
JHLAsiaJapanHonda
JHMAsiaJapanHonda
JMBAsiaJapanMitsubishi
JM6AsiaJapanMazda
JNAsiaJapanNissan
JSAsiaJapanSuzuki
JTAsiaJapanToyota
JYAsiaJapanYamaha
KLAsiaSouth KoreaDaewoo/GM Korea
KMHAsiaSouth KoreaHyundai
KNAsiaSouth KoreaKia
KPTAsiaSouth KoreaSsangYong
L2CAsiaChinaChery Jaguar Land Rover
L6TAsiaChinaGeely
LB3AsiaChinaGeely
LA6AsiaChinaKing Long
LBEAsiaChinaBeijing Hyundai
LBVAsiaChinaBMW Brilliance
LC0AsiaChinaBYD Industry
LDCAsiaChinaDongfeng Peugeot-Citroën
LE4AsiaChinaBeijing Benz
LFMAsiaChinaFAW Toyota
LFPAsiaChinaFAW Car
LFVAsiaChinaFAW-Volkswagen
LGBAsiaChinaDongfeng Nissan
LGJAsiaChinaDongfeng Fengshen
LGWAsiaChinaGreat Wall (Havel)
LGXAsiaChinaBYD Auto
LH1AsiaChinaFAW Haima
LHGAsiaChinaGuangzhou Honda
LJ1AsiaChinaJAC
LJDAsiaChinaDongfeng Yueda Kia
LLVAsiaChinaLifan
LMGAsiaChinaGAC Trumpchi
LPAAsiaChinaChangan PSA (DS Automobiles)
LS5AsiaChinaChangan Suzuki
LSFAsiaA ChinaSAIC Maxus
LSGAsiaChinaSAIC General Motors
LSJAsiaChinaSAIC MG
LSVAsiaChinaSAIC Volkswagen
LTVAsiaChinaFAW Toyota (Tianjin)
LVGAsiaChinaGAC Toyota
LVHAsiaChinaDongfeng Honda
LVRAsiaChinaChangan Mazda
LVSAsiaChinaChangan Ford
LVVAsiaChinaChery
LWVAsiaChinaGAC Fiat
LZWAsiaChinaSAIC GM Wuling
LZYAsiaChinaYutong
MM0AsiaThailandMazda
MMBAsiaThailandMitsubishi
MS0AsiaMyanmarKIA Myanmar
NMTAsiaTurkeyToyota
NM0AsiaTurkeyFord Otosan
PL1AsiaMalaysiaProton
SAJEuropeUnited KingdomJaguar Cars
SALEuropeUnited KingdomLand Rover
SAREuropeUnited KingdomRover
SATEuropeUnited KingdomTriumph
SB1EuropeUnited KingdomToyota
SBMEuropeUnited KingdomMcLAREN Automotive Limited
SCCEuropeUnited KingdomLotus Cars
SCFEuropeUnited KingdomAston Martin Lagonda Limited
SCEEuropeUnited KingdomDeLorean
SFDEuropeUnited KingdomAlexander Dennis
SFEEuropeUnited KingdomAlexander Dennis (North America)
SHHEuropeUnited KingdomHonda
SHSEuropeUnited KingdomHonda
SJNEuropeUnited KingdomNissan
TCCEuropeSwitzerlandMicro Compact Car AG (SMART 1998-1999)
TMAEuropeCzech RepublicHyundai
TMBEuropeCzech RepublicŠkoda
TRUEuropeHungaryAudi
TSMEuropeHungarySuzuki
U5YEuropeSlovakiaKia
UUEuropeRomaniaDacia
VA0EuropeAustriaÖAF
VF1EuropeFranceRenault
VF2EuropeFranceRenault
VF3EuropeFrancePeugeot
VF4EuropeFranceTalbot
VF5EuropeFranceIveco Unic SA
VF6EuropeFranceRenault Trucks/Volvo
VF7EuropeFranceCitroën
VF8EuropeFranceMatra/Talbot/Simca
VF9EuropeFranceBugatti
VFEEuropeFranceIvecoBus
VNKEuropeFranceToyota
VR1EuropeFranceDS Automobiles
VSSEuropeSpainSEAT
VV9EuropeSpainTauro Sport Auto
WAGEuropeGermanyNeoplan
WAUEuropeGermanyAudi
WAPEuropeGermanyAlpina
WBAEuropeGermanyBMW
WBSEuropeGermanyBMW M
WBXEuropeGermanyBMW
WDBEuropeGermanyMercedes-Benz
WDCEuropeGermanyDaimlerChrysler AG/Daimler AG
WDDEuropeGermanyDaimlerChrysler AG/Daimler AG
WMXEuropeGermanyDaimlerChrysler AG/Daimler AG
WEBEuropeGermanyEvoBus
WF0EuropeGermanyFord of Europe
WJMEuropeGermanyIveco
WJREuropeGermanyIrmscher
WKKEuropeGermanyKarl Kässbohrer Fahrzeugwerke
WMAEuropeGermanyMAN
WMEEuropeGermanySmart
WMWEuropeGermanyMini
WP0EuropeGermanyPorsche car
WP1EuropeGermanyPorsche SUV
WUAEuropeGermanyQuattro
WVGEuropeGermanyVolkswagen
WVWEuropeGermanyVolkswagen
WV1EuropeGermanyVolkswagen Commercial Vehicles
WV2EuropeGermanyVolkswagen Commercial Vehicles
W09EuropeGermanyRuf Automobile
W0LEuropeGermanyOpel/Vauxhall
W0SEuropeV GermanyOpel Special Vehicles
XLREuropeNetherlandsDAF Trucks
YK1EuropeFinlandSaab
YS2EuropeSwedenScania, Södertälje
YS3EuropeSwedenSaab
YS4EuropeSwedenScania, Katrineholm
YTNEuropeSwedenSaab NEVS
YV1EuropeSwedenVolvo Cars
YV2EuropeSwedenVolvo Trucks
YV3EuropeSwedenVolvo Buses
ZA9EuropeItalyBugatti
ZAMEuropeItalyMaserati
ZAREuropeItalyAlfa Romeo
ZCFEuropeItalyIveco
ZFAEuropeItalyFiat Automobiles
ZFFEuropeItalyFerrari
ZGAEuropeItalyIvecoBus
ZHWEuropeItalyLamborghini
ZLAEuropeItalyLancia
1BNorth AmericaUnited StatesDodge
1CNorth AmericaUnited StatesChrysler
1FNorth AmericaUnited StatesFord
1GNorth AmericaUnited StatesGeneral Motors
1G1North AmericaUnited StatesChevrolet
1G3North AmericaUnited StatesOldsmobile
1G9North AmericaUnited StatesGoogle
1GCNorth AmericaUnited StatesChevrolet
1GMNorth AmericaUnited StatesPontiac
1HGNorth AmericaUnited StatesHonda
1JNorth AmericaUnited StatesJeep
1LNorth AmericaUnited StatesLincoln
1MNorth AmericaUnited StatesMercury
1NNorth AmericaUnited StatesNissan
1VWNorth AmericaUnited StatesVolkswagen
1YVNorth AmericaUnited StatesMazda
2DGNorth AmericaCanadaOntario Drive & Gear
2FNorth AmericaCanadaFord
2GxNorth AmericaCanadaGeneral Motors
2G1North AmericaCanadaChevrolet
2G2North AmericaCanadaPontiac
2G9North AmericaCanadaGnome Homes
2HGNorth AmericaCanadaHonda
2HHNorth AmericaCanadaAcura
2HJNorth AmericaCanadaHonda
2HKNorth AmericaCanadaHonda
2HMNorth AmericaCanadaHyundai
2L9North AmericaCanadaLes Contenants Durabac
2MNorth AmericaCanadaMercury
2TNorth AmericaCanadaToyota
3FNorth AmericaMexicoFord
3GNorth AmericaMexicoGeneral Motors
3HGNorth AmericaMexicoHonda
3HMNorth AmericaMexicoHonda
3KPNorth AmericaMexicoKia
3NNorth AmericaMexicoNissan
3VWNorth AmericaMexicoVolkswagen
4FNorth AmericaUnited StatesMazda
4JNorth AmericaUnited StatesMercedes-Benz
4MNorth AmericaUnited StatesMercury
4S3North AmericaUnited StatesSubaru
4S4North AmericaUnited StatesSubaru
4S6North AmericaUnited StatesHonda
4TNorth AmericaUnited StatesToyota
4USNorth AmericaUnited StatesBMW
5FNNorth AmericaUnited StatesHonda
5J6North AmericaUnited StatesHonda
5LNorth AmericaUnited StatesLincoln
5N1North AmericaUnited StatesNissan
5NMNorth AmericaUnited StatesHyundai
5NPNorth AmericaUnited StatesHyundai
5TNorth AmericaUnited StatesToyota
5UNorth AmericaUnited StatesBMW
5XNorth AmericaUnited StatesHyundai/Kia
5YJNorth AmericaUnited StatesTesla
55North AmericaUnited StatesMercedes-Benz
6FOceaniaAustraliaFord
6GOceaniaAustraliaGeneral Motors
6G1OceaniaAustraliaChevrolet
6G2OceaniaAustraliaPontiac
6HOceaniaAustraliaHolden
6MMOceaniaAustraliaMitsubishi
6T1OceaniaAustraliaToyota
7A1OceaniaNew ZealandMitsubishi
7A3OceaniaNew ZealandHonda
7A4OceaniaNew ZealandToyota
7A5OceaniaNew ZealandFord
7A8OceaniaNew ZealandNZ Transport Agency (pre-2009)
7ATOceaniaNew ZealandNZ Transport Agency (post-2009)
8APSouth AmericaArgentinaFiat
8AFSouth AmericaArgentinaFord
8AGSouth AmericaArgentinaGeneral Motors
8AWSouth AmericaArgentinaVolkswagen
8AJSouth AmericaArgentinaToyota
8A1South AmericaArgentinaRenault
8ACSouth AmericaArgentinaMercedes Benz
8BCSouth AmericaArgentinaCitroën
8ADSouth AmericaArgentinaPeugeot
8C3South AmericaArgentinaHonda
8ATSouth AmericaArgentinaIveco
9BDSouth AmericaBrazilFiat Automóveis
9BGSouth AmericaBrazilGeneral Motors
9BWSouth AmericaBrazilVolkswagen
9BFSouth AmericaBrazilFord
93HSouth AmericaBrazilHonda
9BRSouth AmericaBrazilToyota
936South AmericaBrazilPeugeot
935South AmericaBrazilCitroën
93YSouth AmericaBrazilRenault
93XSouth AmericaBrazilSouza Ramos - Mitsubishi / Suzuki
9BHSouth AmericaBrazilHyundai Motor Company / Hyundai
95PSouth AmericaBrazilCAOA / Hyundai
94DSouth AmericaBrazilNissan
98RSouth AmericaBrazilChery
988South AmericaBrazilJeep
98MSouth AmericaBrazilBMW
9BMSouth AmericaBrazilMercedes Benz
99ASouth AmericaBrazilAudi
99JSouth AmericaBrazilJLR Jaguar Land Rover
9C2South AmericaBrazilHonda Motorcycles
9C6South AmericaBrazilYamaha
9CDSouth AmericaBrazilSuzuki Motorcycles
93WSouth AmericaBrazilFiat Professional
93ZSouth AmericaBrazilIveco
953South AmericaBrazilVW Trucks / MAN
9BSSouth AmericaBrazilScania
9BVSouth AmericaBrazilVolvo Trucks
9UJSouth AmericaUruguayChery
9UKSouth AmericaUruguayLifan
9UWSouth AmericaUruguayKia

  • The 10th character in the 17-character VIN represents the vehicle model-year.
  • This standard applies to vehicles built in or after 1981.
  • Before 1981, the VIN format was not standardized and varied by manufacturer.
    • Note: VINs do not include the letters I (i), O (o), Q (q), U (u) or Z (z), or the number 0, so that they will not be confused with similar looking numbers/letters.
  • Starting in 2010 the codes start to repeat which adds a hurdle to truly calculating the year and is what we refer to as the Y2K problem of VIN codes.
Code Year Code Year Code Year Code Year
A 1980 L 1990 Y 2000 A 2010
B 1981 M 1991 1 2001 B 2011
C 1982 N 1992 2 2002 C 2012
D 1983 P 1993 3 2003 D 2013
E 1984 R 1994 4 2004 E 2014
F 1985 S 1995 5 2005 F 2015
G 1986 T 1996 6 2006 G 2016
H 1987 V 1997 7 2007 H 2017
J 1988 W 1998 8 2008 J 2018
K 1989 X 1999 9 2009 K 2019

VIN Number Information

VIN Number: