What is VIN Code?

A VIN is a unique code that gives you information about a car. It can help you find the parts for your car if it needs repaired or replaced.

The VIN is a series of 17 numbers. Each digit has a different value that comes from a series of mathematical steps.

It’s a number

A VIN code, or vehicle identification number, is a 17-digit number that shows important information about your car. It can be used to access vehicle history reports, find out if your car has open recalls and learn about previous ownership and maintenance records.

Every car built after 1981 is required to have a VIN in a standardized format that consists of 17 characters. Each character represents a different piece of information about your car.

The first three characters, known as the world manufacturer identifier (WMI), uniquely identify the manufacturer. The fourth to ninth positions, which are called the vehicle descriptor section (VDS), detail information about the car’s model, body style, engine size and type, and more.

The last six digits, 12 through 17, are production sequence numbers. Small manufacturers, who produce fewer than 500 vehicles per year, use these as additional manufacturer identification codes.

It’s a code

A VIN code is a 17-digit number that is used to identify a vehicle. It contains many pieces of information about the vehicle, such as its year, make, model, engine size and manufacturer.

The first three characters of a delete car history, known as the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI), uniquely identify the manufacturer and the region in which it was built or assembled. The Society of Automotive Engineers assigns WMI codes to manufacturers.

Positions four to nine are part of the Vehicle Description Section or VDS, and give detailed information about the vehicle. Depending on the manufacturer, it may tell you engine type, body style, restraint system, and transmission type.

The ninth character, also known as the check digit, is used to verify that the VIN is valid. It is required for North American vehicles and can be any number from zero to nine or an “X” which denotes 10. The check digit is needed for computers to detect fraudulent VINs.

It’s a passport

A VIN code, or Vehicle Identification Number, is a unique 17-digit number that allows manufacturers to track the history of your vehicle. Depending on how it was built, the number can give you details on your car’s make and model, its engine size, its body style, and more. It’s also a handy tool when you’re trying to verify your ownership or help with the process of selling or trading in your car.

This standardized system is the result of a government push back in 1954 to standardize how auto makers tracked and identified their vehicles. The first digit of the VIN is the country’s name, followed by a two-digit abbreviation for the manufacturer. The second digit, the one that stands out as the most important, tells you which plant assembled your vehicle and the third is a small but significant identifier. The last six numbers are the production or serial number. This is the best way to tell your car from your neighbor’s, and it’s also a key component of any vehicle history report.

It’s a key

The first three characters of a VIN code uniquely identify the manufacturer of the vehicle. The first digit usually identifies the country of origin and the second digit often indicates the division within that manufacturer, such as 1G for General Motors cars in the United States or C for Chevrolet trucks.

The next five characters (fourth through eighth) are descriptors, which can be used to identify the car’s brand, model, body style, engine type and transmission. These are important when repairing or servicing the car, as they may reveal special service steps to follow.

The ninth character is a check digit, which helps investigators verify that the number is legitimate by using a mathematical formula created by the USDOT. This digit can be any number from zero to nine, or an “X” that denotes 10. It helps investigators verify that a car’s VIN is valid and gives them additional information about the car. It also reveals the vehicle’s model year and sometimes indicates when the car was manufactured.