What is a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)?

Most people probably don’t spend a lot of time thinking about their vehicle’s VIN until they need it. Some don’t even know what a VIN is. So, without further ado, let’s explore what a VIN is and why it is important.

What is a VIN?

Automobile manufacturers assign a unique vehicle identification number (VIN) to every car and truck that comes off their assembly line. It is basically the vehicle’s serial number, and because it is distinctly unique, it becomes the fingerprint of the car or truck. A VIN is made up of 17 characters (some capital letters and some numbers). Each digit or combination of digits in the VIN is a code. The code provides information about the vehicle, the manufacturer, the year, the country, make and model, and where it originated. When you decode a VIN number, you can find out a lot about your specific car or truck.

VIN’s do not use the letters Q (q), I(i), and O(o), so they are not confused with numbers.

Where to Find a VIN Number On a Car

Before you can decode a VIN number meaning, you must find the VIN. There are a few locations on most cars where the VIN is printed. It is usually printed in a single line. The four most common locations where the VIN would be located are:

• On the driver’s side dash up close to the windshield.
• Under the hood near the engine block.
• Inside the driver’s side door. There is usually a sticker with recommended tire pressure and the VIN on it.
• On older cars you might also find it on the front end of the frame.

Larger or unusual vehicles like campers and motorcycles may have them in other places.

The First Three Digits of a VIN - World Manufacturer Identifier

The first three digits of a VIN identify a few pieces of information. The first digit represents the manufacturer’s country, the second digit is a code for the vehicle manufacturer, and the third designates the manufacturer division where the vehicle originated.

Digits 4,5, 6, 7, 8, & 9

The 4th through the 9th digit represents the Vehicle Description Section (VDS). Specifically, digits four through 8 provide the details about the vehicle model, body type, transmission, engine type, and restraint system. The ninth digit is a security code called a “check digit”. The U.S. Department of Transportation created a mathematical formula to generate this digit randomly, and it is used to protect against fraudulent VINs.

Digits 10-17

AVIN’s 10th through 17th digits indicate the Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS). The 10th digit applies to the year the car was manufactured. However, it only goes back to 1981 as VINs were not standardized until then. The eleventh digit identifies the actual plant where your vehicle was manufactured.

This is handy if the automobile has a defect or other issue, and the NHTSA can identify other vehicles made at the same time. Digits 12-17 are the serial number/unique identifier that each manufacturer assigns at the time of creation.

VINS with Less Than 17 Digits

If you own a vehicle older than 1981, you may have a VIN with fewer than 18 digits. In this case, you may have to decode the VIN yourself or get help from the vehicle manufacturer.

Decode a VIN Online and Perform a Vehicle History Check

You can use a few different websites and third-party tools to enter your VIN and automatically decode them. You will see all the information pulled from the digits in one, nice, easy report. In some cases, you can do this for free, and in other cases, you may have to pay a small fee. A full VIN report is handy to verify that the automobile you own is actually what comes up and is linked to your VIN.