| An Auto VIN Decoder breaks down the unique | | | | |
| alphanumeric sequence known as a Vehicle | | | | The fourth character is the type of restraint |
| Identification Number, which is a car's | | | | system. |
| fingerprint. Each and every automobile on the | | | | |
| road has its own 17-character VIN, and it is | | | | In the above example, "R" represents |
| this identification number that is used to | | | | hydraulic breaks using the VIN Decoder. |
| generate a Vehicle History Report, also known | | | | |
| as a VIN check. | | | | The fifth, sixth & seventh characters are the |
| | | | vehicle line, series and body style. This |
| The VIN check taps into millions of DMV | | | | will obviously be different across makes and |
| records and reveals all of the available | | | | models. |
| history for a particular vehicle, including | | | | |
| any hidden problems, odometer readings, | | | | In the above example, characters 5, 6 & 7 are |
| ownership transfers and more. It is an | | | | X18: X18 is a Ford F150 Pickup 4WD Super Cab |
| absolute must for used car buyers, as it | | | | |
| tells you everything you need to know about | | | | The eighth character is the engine type. |
| the vehicle. | | | | |
| | | | With the Auto VIN Decoder, W represents a 4.6 |
| The Auto VIN Decoder can help you understand | | | | liter V-8 engine. |
| what these letters and numbers mean, which is | | | | |
| the first step towards ensuring that a | | | | The tenth character represents the year of |
| vehicle you are considering is right for you. | | | | the car. Pay close attention to this one: |
| | | | |
| Let's break down the Vehicle Identification | | | | B = 1981 F = 1985 K = 1989 P = 1993 V = 1997 |
| Number, starting with the first character. | | | | 1 = 2001 |
| (Please note the letter "I" as in indigo, the | | | | |
| letter "O" as in orange, and the letter "Q" | | | | C = 1982 G = 1986 L = 1990 R = 1994 W = 1998 |
| as in queen are NOT found in any VIN | | | | 2 = 2002 |
| Numbers.) | | | | |
| | | | D = 1983 H = 1987 M = 1991 S = 1995 X = 1999 |
| (We will use the following VIN as an example: | | | | 3 = 2003 |
| 2FTRX18W1XCA01212) | | | | |
| | | | E = 1984 J = 1988 N = 1992 T = 1996 Y = 2000 |
| The first character represents the country of | | | | 4 = 2004 |
| manufacture, and can be a letter or a number, | | | | |
| each signifying a different country. The most | | | | For the most recent used model year, 5 = 2005 |
| common ones are as follows: | | | | |
| | | | In the above example, the "X" indicates that |
| (1 = USA, 2 = Canada, 3 = Mexico, J = Japan, | | | | this car was made in 1999. |
| K = Korea, W = Germany, Y = Finland, Sweden) | | | | |
| | | | The eleventh character indicates the assembly |
| So using the Auto VIN Decoder in the above | | | | plant. |
| example, this particular car was made in | | | | |
| Canada. | | | | In the above example, the C indicates |
| | | | Ontario, Canada |
| The second/third characters represent the | | | | |
| manufacturer, also known as the make. The | | | | Characters 12-17 represent the vehicle's |
| most common are: | | | | unique fingerprint. It is these six digits |
| | | | which make every single vehicle in the world |
| (A = Alfa Romeo, B = Dodge, C = Chrysler, D = | | | | different. |
| Daihatsu, E = Eagle, F= Ford/Eagle, G = All | | | | |
| General Motors vehicles (Buick, Cadillac, | | | | So using the Auto VIN Decoder one last time, |
| Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Saturn) H = | | | | the Vehicle Identification Number: |
| Honda/Acura, J= Jeep, L = Lincoln, M = | | | | 2FTRX18W1XCA01212 represents a 1999 Ford F150 |
| Mitsubishi, N = Nissan/Infiniti, P = | | | | Pickup 4WD Super Cab manufactured in Ontario, |
| Plymouth, S = Subaru, T = Toyota/Lexus, V = | | | | Canada with hydraulic brakes and a 4.6-liter |
| Volkswagen) | | | | V-8 engine. |
| | | | |
| So using the Auto VIN Decoder in the above | | | | So there you have it, the Auto VIN Decoder. |
| example, this car is a Ford or an | | | | If you are in the market for a used vehicle, |
| Eagle..since Eagle is no longer made, it is | | | | use this decoder to make sure that it is |
| most likely a Ford. | | | | indeed the exact model that the seller is |
| | | | claiming it is. Once you have verified the |
| Other popular makes use a 3-character initial | | | | Vehicle Identification Number is accurate, |
| sequence: | | | | you can proceed with your VIN check and learn |
| | | | everything you need to know about that |
| (TRU/WAU = Audi, 4US/WBA/WBS = BMW, 2HM/KMH = | | | | particular car. |
| Hyundai, SAJ = Jaguar, SAL = Land Rover, 1YV | | | | |
| JM1 = Mazda, WDB = Mercedes-Benz, VF3 = | | | | To learn more about the VIN Decoder, visit |
| Peugeot, WP0 = Porsche, YK1/YS3 = Saab, | | | | Car Detective VIN Decoder and Auto Advice VIN |
| YV1=Volvo) | | | | Number check. |