Vehicle Identification Vehicle Identification Number VINNumber VIN

ByBy

Dwayne Dwayne

HickmanHickman

VIN’s purposeVIN’s purpose

A car’s vehicle identification number A car’s vehicle identification number (VIN) is the automotive equivalent of (VIN) is the automotive equivalent of human "DNA". human "DNA".

It sets your vehicles apart from the It sets your vehicles apart from the millions of vehicles out there. millions of vehicles out there.

Each character or digit has a particular Each character or digit has a particular purpose. purpose.

VIN’s purpose cont.VIN’s purpose cont. It displays a car’s uniqueness and It displays a car’s uniqueness and

heritage and provides a form of factory to heritage and provides a form of factory to scrap yard identification. scrap yard identification.

It can be used to track recalls, It can be used to track recalls, registrations, warranty claims, thefts and registrations, warranty claims, thefts and insurance coverage. insurance coverage.

Understanding the cars vehicle Understanding the cars vehicle identification number has become very identification number has become very popular with car collectors for new and popular with car collectors for new and old vehicles alike. old vehicles alike.

Typical locationsTypical locations

VINVIN

Drivers door stickerDrivers door sticker

LocationLocation

The Vehicle Identification Number is also The Vehicle Identification Number is also imprinted on the: imprinted on the:

Vehicle Safety Certification Label. And Vehicle Safety Certification Label. And Frame rail. Frame rail.

Breaking it downBreaking it down

1st character- Identifies the country in 1st character- Identifies the country in which the vehicle was manufactured. which the vehicle was manufactured. For example: U.S.A.(1or4), Canada(2), For example: U.S.A.(1or4), Canada(2), Mexico(3), Japan(J), Korea(K), Mexico(3), Japan(J), Korea(K), England(S), Germany(W), Italy(Z)England(S), Germany(W), Italy(Z)

Breaking it downBreaking it down

2nd character- Identifies the manufacturer. 2nd character- Identifies the manufacturer. For example; Audi(A),For example; Audi(A),BMW(B), Buick(4), Cadillac(6), Chevrolet(1), BMW(B), Buick(4), Cadillac(6), Chevrolet(1), Chrysler(C), Dodge(B),Chrysler(C), Dodge(B),Ford(F), GM Canada(7), General Motors(G), Ford(F), GM Canada(7), General Motors(G), Honda(H), Jaquar(A), Lincoln(L), Mercedes Honda(H), Jaquar(A), Lincoln(L), Mercedes Benz(D), Mercury(M), Nissan(N), Benz(D), Mercury(M), Nissan(N), Oldsmobile(3), Pontiac(2or5), Plymouth(P), Oldsmobile(3), Pontiac(2or5), Plymouth(P), Saturn(8), Toyota(T), VW(V), Volvo(V).Saturn(8), Toyota(T), VW(V), Volvo(V).

Breaking it downBreaking it down

3rd character- Identifies vehicle type or 3rd character- Identifies vehicle type or manufacturing division.manufacturing division.

4th character- Identifies the vehicle’s 4th character- Identifies the vehicle’s body style.body style.

88thth character- Identifies vehicle engine character- Identifies vehicle engine size, in liters or cubic inches.size, in liters or cubic inches.

9th character- Identifies VIN accuracy as 9th character- Identifies VIN accuracy as check digit.check digit.

99thth digit trivia digit trivia To protect the consumer from theft and To protect the consumer from theft and

possible fraud, the manufacturer is possible fraud, the manufacturer is required to include a Check Digit at the required to include a Check Digit at the ninth position of the Vehicle Identification ninth position of the Vehicle Identification Number. Number.

The check digit is used by the The check digit is used by the manufacturer and government agencies manufacturer and government agencies to verify the authenticity of the vehicle to verify the authenticity of the vehicle and official documentation. The formula and official documentation. The formula to use the check digit is not released to to use the check digit is not released to the general public. the general public.

Breaking it downBreaking it down

10th character- Identifies the model year. 10th character- Identifies the model year. For example: 1988(J), 1989(K), 1990(L), For example: 1988(J), 1989(K), 1990(L), 1991(M), 1992(N), 1993(P), 1994(R), 1991(M), 1992(N), 1993(P), 1994(R), 1995(S), 1996(T),1995(S), 1996(T),1997(V), 1998(W), 1999(X), 2000(Y)------1997(V), 1998(W), 1999(X), 2000(Y)------2001(1), 2002(2), 2003(3)2001(1), 2002(2), 2003(3)

11th character- Identifies the assembly 11th character- Identifies the assembly plant for the vehicle.plant for the vehicle.

Breaking it downBreaking it down

12th to 17th characters- Identifies the 12th to 17th characters- Identifies the sequence of the vehicle for production sequence of the vehicle for production as it rolled of the manufacturers as it rolled of the manufacturers assembly line. assembly line.

Things that are never Things that are never used.used.

The letters I (i), O and Q never appear in The letters I (i), O and Q never appear in a VIN. a VIN.

PartsParts

Many OEM and aftermarket parts Many OEM and aftermarket parts distributors need the VIN to find the distributors need the VIN to find the correct parts, and some need the VIN to correct parts, and some need the VIN to gain access into there parts system.gain access into there parts system.

Knowing how to read and understand a Knowing how to read and understand a VIN is a very important aspect. VIN is a very important aspect.