For your car or truck, the VIN number (Vehicle Identification Number) is like your Social Security Number in that it’s a unique identifier for that specific vehicle. Since 1981, the VIN number has been a globally recognized, standardized format of 17 alphanumeric characters, required for all on-road vehicles. For those who know, the VIN number provides a wealth of information, including manufacturer, engine type, model year, and more. For those who don’t know and just see a string of numbers and letters, here is a guide for decoding your VIN and why it’s important.
What your car’s VIN number means
The VIN number isn’t just a random string of numbers and letters differentiating one car from another. Each character or digit or group of digits refers to something about the vehicle’s manufacture or design. While the meaning of each digit placement is standard, each vehicle manufacturer has their own program and publishes a VIN number decoder for looking up what each digit represents for their makes and models. You can find this information online by searching for the term “VIN number decoder” and the manufacturer's name.
The first three digits are the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI):
· The first digit refers to the location of production. Countries are assigned unique number or letter character codes under WMI. Cars manufactured in North America are 1 through 5, 6 and 7 are made in Oceania, 8 and 9 are made in South America. J, K, L, M, N, P, and R designate made in Asia and S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, and Z are for Europe.
· The second digit refers to the name of your car’s brand and may be the first letter of that brand, but not always.
· The third element, when combined with the preceding two characters, refers to the classification of your car.
Digits four through eight are the “descriptors” or Manufacturer Specification Data
· Tells your car’s model, body type, restraint system, transmission type, and engine
classification.
· The coding and sequence of this section are determined by the manufacturer.
· This part of the code allows insurance providers or car estimators to automatically pull up your exact model.
The ninth digit is a security code
· It identifies the VIN as being authorized by the manufacturer.
· Prevents fake VINs.
The tenth digit refers to the car model year
· Model years 1980 to 2000 are represented by letters A through Y, excluding letters I, O, Q, U, and Z for clarity.
· Model years 2001 to 2009 are represented by numbers 1 to 9.
· The alphabet started over in 2010 and will continue until 2030 from A to Y, excluding letters as indicated above.
· By using letters and numbers, model year designations are not repeated for 30 years.
The eleventh digit is the plant code
· Tells where the car was assembled, with each manufacturer having distinctive codes for its manufacturing/assembly plants.
· Facilitates tracking safety issues and recalls when necessary.
Digits twelve through seventeen are a vehicle’s unique manufacturing number
· Sequential numbers that each car is assigned while in assembly.
· Based on its position in manufacture, for example, the first of a new model could be 000001.
Finding your car’s VIN number
On most passenger cars, you may find the VIN number on the front of the dashboard on the driver's side. The best way to see it is to look through the windshield from outside the car. You can also find the VIN number on the engine block or the driver's side door pillar. Open the door and look around the area where the door latches to the car.
If you can't find or clearly read the VIN number on the vehicle, you should also be able to find it on your vehicle's title, registration card, and insurance documents. If there’s ever a question if the VIN shows up different on any document due to an error in transcribing, the actual number stamped on the vehicle is the most reliable.
Why the VIN is so important
The most common ways we use a car’s VIN number include purchasing insurance, the annual registration, and when making claims for warranty service. In addition, the VIN can help you with many other situations concerning your vehicle.
· When buying a used car, do a VIN lookup to get the vehicle history report and find records of its previous owners, accidents, airbag deployment, and repairs.
· If you’re selling a used car, do a VIN check before you put up the for-sale sign to be aware of any potential problems or questions buyers may have, especially if you’re not the sole owner of the car.
· A VIN number can tell you important safety notices or recalls for your model and whether those repairs were made. Enter the VIN in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's VIN lookup tool to see if there are any open recalls. (According to CarFax, more than 47 million vehicles have at least one open safety recall.)
· Law enforcement agencies do a VIN check to identify vehicles that have been stolen and use the VIN to match a stolen car with the rightful owner.
· Make sure to check the VIN whenever purchasing used car parts, either online or locally. Genuine OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts are often specific to certain VINs and may not fit your car if you go only by the year, make, and model.
· For a more in-depth look at decoding VINs, check out autocheatsheet.com for more information.
Free VIN check for your car or truck
There are many websites that offer free VIN number checks online. Some offer sample or abbreviated reports for free and charge for more extensive information. You decide which gives you what you need.
· CarFax Free VIN Decoder offers free and paid reports.
· National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a free VIN decoder.
· Check your specific auto manufacturer by searching “VIN number decoder” and the manufacturer's name.
LKQ Online relies on VIN numbers to assist with the purchase of OEM/OE used auto parts for guaranteed fit. Having that information when you shop for replacement alternators, used engines, or collision repair hoods and bumpers will make shopping for the right parts quick and easy. You can trust LKQ to provide high-quality used auto parts and new aftermarket car parts backed by fast shipping, free standard warranties, guaranteed fit, and knowledgeable customer service.