VIN guides
What the characters in a VIN mean
Understand the main sections of a modern 17-character VIN and why manufacturer context matters.
The manufacturer identifier
The first three characters form the World Manufacturer Identifier, or WMI. This identifies the manufacturer and vehicle type under the applicable system. Low-volume manufacturers can use additional positions. A brand may have several identifiers for different vehicle types and manufacturing operations.
Vehicle description and validation
Positions 4–8 describe manufacturer-defined vehicle attributes. Their meaning is not universal across brands. Position 9 is used as a calculated check digit for vehicles subject to the North American check-digit requirement. A matching check digit helps catch transcription errors; it does not establish a vehicle’s ownership or history.
Model year, plant, and vehicle sequence
Position 10 represents model year in the applicable modern VIN system, and the year codes repeat in 30-year cycles. Position 11 identifies the assembly plant using manufacturer-specific codes. The remaining section identifies the individual vehicle; some positions also help identify low-volume manufacturers. Do not interpret one character without the rest of the VIN.
Decode the whole VIN
Use the full 17-character identifier to retrieve the available manufacturer-reported interpretation. Factory packages, exact trim, paint color, and optional equipment may not be available from vPIC. Verify important details with the manufacturer and the vehicle’s labels.