What is a VIN?
What Is in Your VIN?
If you are curious about the engine type, engine size, standard or optional features for your vehicle, enter your VIN now to find out all about it. VIN CHECKS VIN Decoder will tell you a lot about any new or used vehicle. It’s convenient to use before buying a used car.
How to Decode a VIN
VIN Checks free VIN Decoder and lookup tool operates quickly and efficiently, allowing you to access information about any U.S. or Canadian vehicle manufactured from 1981 to the present. Some of the information you can expect to find includes
Simply enter the VIN or plate number of the vehicle you’re interested in, and our search engine will scan millions of VINs to generate a personalized decoder report for you. If you need more detailed information, you can dive into VIN CHECKS best-in-class Vehicle History Reports and conduct a full VIN check to access the complete car history and additional insights.
Dissecting a VIN
The first character of the VIN identifies the country of origin where the vehicle was manufactured. The second and third digits represent the manufacturer and vehicle type (World Manufacturer Identifier). Characters four through eight describe the vehicle’s attributes, including brand, size, and body type. The ninth digit is a security code generated by the vehicle’s manufacturer to validate the VIN. The tenth digit reveals the model year of the vehicle, while the eleventh digit indicates the plant where it was assembled. The last six digits are a unique serial number assigned by the manufacturer.
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)
Typically, the first three digits of a VIN form the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI). These digits indicate the country of origin, the manufacturer, and the vehicle type. For manufacturers that produce fewer than 1,000 vehicles per year, the third position of the VIN will be a 9, and the 12th, 13th, and 14th digits are used to further identify the specific manufacturer.
The first character of the VIN, which represents the country of origin, is often a letter. For example, letters S through Z indicate different parts of Europe, while letters J through R represent countries in Asia. Each letter corresponds to a specific region, helping to identify where the vehicle was manufactured.
The second character of a VIN identifies the manufacturer. For example, a VIN starting with “1G” indicates that the vehicle was produced by General Motors in the U.S. This combination of the first and second characters provides insight into both the country of origin and the manufacturer.
The third character of the VIN represents the vehicle type. For instance, a WMI (World Manufacturer Identifier) of “1G1” signifies a Chevrolet passenger car manufactured in the U.S. at a General Motors plant. This three-character code provides key information about the vehicle’s origin, manufacturer, and type.
Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)
The fourth through the eighth characters of a VIN make up the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS), which provides critical details about the vehicle, such as its model, body style, engine type, and more. However, the format of this section can vary between manufacturers, as each automaker has the flexibility to determine how they represent these details within the VDS.
The Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) within the VIN contains important information about the vehicle, including details like the engine type, restraint system, and body type. This section helps identify specific features and configurations of the vehicle, making it a key part of the VIN’s data.
The ninth digit of a VIN is a security code. This number is used to verify that the vehicle has been authorized by the manufacturer and ensures that the first eight digits of the VIN have been correctly calculated in accordance with the standards set by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS)
The Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS) of a VIN includes the 10th through 17th digits. These digits provide important details such as the year the vehicle was manufactured and a unique serial number, which is automatically generated by the manufacturing plant to identify each specific vehicle
The 10th digit of a VIN represents the model year in which the vehicle was built. This character helps identify the vehicle’s production year, which can be essential for determining features, recalls, and compatibility with replacement parts.
The 11th character of a VIN indicates the assembly plant where the vehicle was manufactured. This character provides information about the specific facility responsible for building the vehicle, adding another layer of detail to the vehicle’s history.
The 12th through 17th digits of a VIN comprise a unique serial number assigned to the vehicle. This serial number distinguishes each vehicle from others produced by the same manufacturer, ensuring that every car has its own distinct identity.
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