Decoding Modern Car VIN Numbers

Decoding Modern Car VIN Numbers

The 17 digit VIN began in 1981 and continues to present.

Understanding your vehicles serial (VIN) number

	1^st character- Identifies the country in which the vehicle was manufactured. For example: U.S.A.(1or4), Canada(2), Mexico(3), Japan(J), Korea(K), England(S), Germany(W), Italy(Z)
	2^nd character- Identifies the manufacturer. For example; Audi(A), BMW(B), Chrysler(C), Dodge(B), Ford(F), GM Canada(7), General Motors(G), Honda(H), Jaquar(A), Lincoln(L), Mercedes Benz(D), Mercury(M), Nissan(N), Plymouth(P), Toyota(T), VW(V), Volvo(V).
	3^rd character- Identifies vehicle type or manufacturing division. Chevrolet(1), Pontiac(2), Oldsmobile(3), Buick(4), GM Overseas(5), Cadillac(6), GM Canada(7), Saturn(8), GM Overseas(9), Chevy Truck (C), GMC Truck(T)
	4^th character- Identifies the restrain system. Non-passive(A), Automatic belts(B), Inflatable restraint(C)
	5^th character- Identifies the series. Chevette CS trim(B), 2WD Truck(C), Cavalier base trim(C), Cavalier CS trim(D), Cavalier type 10(E), Van(G), Citation(H), 4WD Truck(K), Chevette base trim(J), Impala(L), Camaro Sport Coupe(P), Step Van(P), Caprice Classic(N), Camaro Berlinetta(S), Small Pickup(S), Malibu(T), Malibu Classic(W), El Camino(W), Celebrity(W), Citation(X), Monte Carlo(Z)
	6^th and 7^thcharacter- Identifies the body style. Landau Coupe(03), 2 dr Coupe(08), 1/2 ton(10), 2 dr notchback Coupe(11), 4dr Sedan(19), 3/4 ton(20), 1 ton(30), Sport Coupe or Convertible(27), Station Wagon(35), Sport Coupe(37), Sport Coupe(47), 2-1/2 ton(50), 3 ton(60), 4-1/2 ton(65), Convertible(67), 4dr Hatchback Sedan(68), 4dr Sedan(69), 2 dr Hatchback(77), Sedan-pickup(El Camino)(80), Sport Coupe(87)
	8^th characters- Identifies the engine.
	9^th character- is a check digit to verify VIN accuracy.
	10^th character- Identifies the model year. For example: 1981(B), 1982(C), 1983(D), 1984(E), 1985(F), 1986(G), 1987(H), 1988(J), 1989(K), 1990(L), 1991(M), 1992(N), 1993(P), 1994(R), 1995(S), 1996(T), 1997(V), 1998(W), 1999(X), 2000(Y), 2001(1), 2002(2), 2003(3)
	11^th character- Identifies the assembly plant for the vehicle. Lakewood(A), Baltimore(B), Lansing B(C), Doraville(D), Linden(E), Flint (Chevy)(F), Framingham(G), Flint (Buick)(H), Janesville(J), Kosai(K), Leeds(K), Lansing(M), Norwood(N), Pontiac (Pontiac)(P), Detriot(Q), Arlington(R), St. Louis(S), Ramos Arizpe(S), Tarrytown(T), Hamtramck(U), Pontiac (GMC)(V), Fairfax(X), Wilmington(V), Fremont(Z), Wentzville(1), Oshawa #2(1), Moraine (T&B)(2), St. Therese(2), Detroit (T&B)(3), St. Eustache(3), Orion(4), Bowling Green(5), London(5), Oklahoma City(6), Lordstown(7), Shreveport(8), Fujisawa (Japan) Luv(8), Detroit (Cadillac)(9), Oshawa #1(9), Pontiac (GM Truck)(0)
	12^th to 17^th characters- Identifies the sequence of the vehicle for production as it rolled off the manufacturers assembly line. Starting with 100001.

BACK to Main Tech Section

Copyright © September, 2019
San Jose Classic Chevys