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This represents the exact series of a specific model, usually shown by a letter.Ĭonvertible, saloon or hatchback the 6 th and 7 th digits show the car’s body style and type. The fourth digit gives details of the car’s model-specific features, such as additional safety information. The next five digits outline specific details about the car, including the engine size, safety features and body style.Ĥ th – Safety features and model-specific information
#DECODE MY VIN FULL#
The first three digits of the VIN are classified as the WMI, and show the country of origin, manufacturer, and specific division within a manufacturer.ġst – A letter or number showing where in the world the car was builtĢ nd – The manufacturer that made the carĪ full list of manufacturers and their associated VIN codes can be found, here.ģ rd – The specific division of a manufacturer that made the carįor example, Mercedes’ AMG division’s VIN is WMX. First 3 Digits – World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)
#DECODE MY VIN CODE#
Here, we look at what each digit in a VIN code means and how it can help you find out more about your car. This will make it easy to find the exact parts for your car, so you can keep your faithful old motor running well for longer.
#DECODE MY VIN HOW TO#
If you spend a lot of time under the bonnet and enjoy DIY fixes, you should find out how to read your car’s VIN. The diagram below shows examples of the kind of information you can get from your car’s VIN.įor a more in-depth look at reading your car’s VIN, read on. They’re made up of 17 numbers and letters which represent information about where the car was built and its exact specification, so you can find out pretty much all there is to know about a car from this unique code. VIN codes are found on every car in the world built since 1983 and, even if cars were made on the same production line, no two VINs are ever the same. Use the links below to find the information you need. In this guide, we offer practical tips on how to read your car’s VIN code and what each letter and number represents. This makes it easy to find the right parts for your car, and check that everything’s legitimate before handing over cash on the forecourt. The 1st character in a car's vehicle identification number indicates the country in which it was manufactured.Just like a fingerprint, your car’s VIN number can tell you all sorts of information, from where it was made and who by to its engine size, safety features, body style and production number. Model Year & Country CodesĪs shown above, the 10th character of the VIN indicates its model year. Keep in mind that vehicles manufactured before 1981 might have fewer characters than today's standard VIN of 17 characters.
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The infographic below provides a simplified look at a sample VIN. Knowing how to read the VIN could help you make an informed decision before you buy. When you're considering purchasing a pre-owned vehicle, it's always a good idea to obtain a vehicle history report (VHR) or VIN check. In fact, deciphering these codes is a hobby for some car enthusiasts, including collectors who want to own one of the first or last cars to come off an assembly line. Actually, each character in this highly structured code has its own meaning. If you're like most people, you probably think a vehicle identification number (VIN) is just a series of random characters.
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