Manual VIN Decode
17 digit VIN numbers can be decoded by breaking it first into 6 fields and then using the decode tables below to translate the VIN (vehicle identification number) into a description. Several of the fields are manufacturer specific and are not included in the tables below:
Character #1, length 3 of the VIN number is the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) the first character is the country, the next 1 or 2 designates the manufacturer. (see table below)
Character #4, length 5 of the VIN number is the body style or features, which varies by manufacturer
Character #9, length 1 of the VIN number is a check digit, which helps programs verify that the VIN has been entered accurately
Character #10, length 1 of the VIN number is the model year (see table below)
Character #11, length 1 of the VIN number identifies the assembly plant
Character #12, length 6 of the VIN number is the manufacturer sequence number
There are over 1 million VIN patterns which includes the WMI and Body Style, to look up a specific VIN, and get a Vehicle History Report, go to
AutoCheck Vehicle History Reports for Used Cars. Get a Free Vin Check. - AutoCheck.com.
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)
Note than not all the codes have 3 positions. In the case of two position codes, the blank code is not a blank, but usually represents part of the body style or division. If the third position is a "9", it means that the manufacturer will produce less than 500 units per year.
Digit 1 Digit 2 Digit 3 Manufacturer Country
1 F Ford USA
1 G General Motors USA
1 G C General Motors / Chevrolet USA
1 G M General Motors / Pontiac USA
1 L Ford / Lincoln USA
1 L Ford / Mercury USA
1 N Nissan USA USA
1 V W Volkswagen USA USA
1 Y V Mazda USA USA
2 Y Ford Canada Canada
2 Y 1 Chevrolet Canada Canada
2 G 1 Pontiac Canada Canada
2 G General Motors Canada Canada
2 H M Hyundai Canada Canada
2 M Mercury Canada Canada
3 F Ford Mexico Mexico
3 G General Motors Mexico Mexico
3 V W Volkswagen Mexico Mexico
4 F Mazda USA USA
4 M Mercury USA
4 S Subaru-Isuzu Automotive USA
4 U S BMW USA USA
5 L Lincoln USA
6 F Ford Australia Australia
6 H General Motors Holden Australia Australia
6 M M Mitsubishi Australia Australia
6 T 1 Toyota Australia Australia
9 B W Volkswagen Brazil Brazil
J A Isuzu Japan
J F Subaru Japan
J H Honda Japan
J M Mazda Japan
J N Nissan Japan
J S Suzuki Japan
J T Toyota Japan
K L Daewoo Korea
K M H Hyundai Korea
K N Kia Korea
S A J Jaguar England
S A L Land Rover England
S C C Lotus cars England
T R U Audi Germany
V F 1 Renault France
V F 3 Peugeot France
V F 7 Citroen France
V A U Audi Germany
W B A BMW Germany
W B A BMW Germany
W D B Mercedes-Benz Germany
W P 0 Porche Germany
W V 2 Volkswagen Germany
W V W Volkswagen Germany
Y K 1 Saab Findland, Sweeden
Y S 1 Saab Findland, Sweeden
Z D F Ferrari Dino Italy
Z F A Fiat Italy
Z F F Ferrari Italy
Model Year
Position #10 J 1988
K 1989
L 1990
M 1991
N 1992
P 1993
R 1994
S 1995
T 1996
V 1997
W 1998
X 1999
Y 2000
1 2001
2 2002
3 2003
4 2004
5 2005
6 2006
7 2007
8 2008
