What The VIN Code Tells You

Total
0
Shares

Decoding The VIN - ClearVin.com
Vehicle Identification Numbers, or VIN codes, are unique sets of characters given to each on-road vehicle in the United States, European Union and many other countries. The VIN is the primary tracking mechanism outside of the license plate. In 1981, motor vehicle manufactures starting using a standardized 17-digit code as the VIN. Virtually every car, motorcycle, and ATV has a VIN.

Auto shops use VINs to service vehicles because they identify the engine, transmission and brake systems. Additionally, whenever an auto manufacturer issues a recall, each recalled vehicle is indicated by its VIN. A VIN is the key to unlocking vital information about the vehicle and its history.

Finding the VIN

These two locations are standard across makes and models for cars and trucks. For other vehicles the VIN will be on the frame somewhere.

Locating The VIN

The VIN Secret Decoder Ring

Characters within a VIN indicate a vehicle’s year, make, model, where it was manufactured, and more.

VIN Decoder

The VIN is composed of 3 main sections:

  • First three characters: World Manufacturer Identifier
    The first three characters indicate the country where vehicle was manufactured and by what company.
  • Characters 4 through 9: Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)
    These characters are used to identify the vehicle type, engine, and may include information on the model and the body style. The 9th digit is always a check digit. A mathematical formula generates this digit to help verify there is no error in the VIN when someone wants to research it.
  • Characters 10 through 17: Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS)
    These positions are used by the manufacturer to identify the individual vehicle. This will always include the year of the vehicle and the plant where the vehicle was manufactured. The remaining characters are assigned by the manufacturer as a unique serial number.

Upon a first look a VIN may appear as a random string of letters and numbers. But it’s actually a worldwide standard where every character carries a specific meaning. Use our VIN decoder to get your VIN number lookup results with ClearVIN.

65 comments
  1. Do you have any ideas for composing articles? That’s where I constantly struggle
    and I just end up staring vacant screen for long time.

  2. Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an extremely long comment but
    after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear.
    Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say great blog!

  3. I’m extremely impressed together with your writing abilities as well as with the
    structure in your weblog. Is this a paid subject or did
    you modify it your self? Either way keep up the excellent high quality writing, it
    is uncommon to look a great blog like this one today..

  4. I truly enjoy looking at on this web site, it holds wonderful blog posts. “He who sees the truth, let him proclaim it, without asking who is for it or who is against it.” by Henry George.

  5. Hello, everything is going nicely here and ofcourse every one is sharing facts, that’s really good,
    keep up writing.

  6. It’s remarkable to pay a visit this web page and reading the
    views of all mates concerning this piece of writing, while I am also eager of getting experience.

  7. I just like the helpful info you supply in your articles. I’ll bookmark
    your weblog and check again here frequently. I am somewhat sure I will
    learn plenty of new stuff right here! Best of luck for
    the next!

  8. A motivating discussion is definitely worth comment. There’s no doubt that that you should publish more on this subject.
    To the next! Best wishes!!

  9. I go to see each day some websites and information sites to read posts, but this weblog gives quality based content.

  10. Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It
    truly useful & it helped me out much. I hope to give something
    back and help others like you helped me.

  11. We stumbled over here by a different web page and thought I might as well check things
    out. I like what I see so i am just following you.
    Look forward to finding out about your web page repeatedly.

  12. I think this is one of the most significant information for me.
    And i’m glad reading your article. But wanna remark on some general things, The website style
    is wonderful, the articles is really nice : D. Good job, cheers

  13. Every weekend i used to visit this website, for the reason that
    i want enjoyment, since this this web page conations truly nice funny stuff too.

  14. Hello there, You have done an incredible job.
    I’ll certainly digg it and personally recommend to my friends.
    I’m sure they’ll be benefited from this site.

  15. My spouse and I stumbled over here by a different website
    and thought I should check things out. I like what I see so now i am following you.
    Look forward to looking at your web page repeatedly.

  16. Greetings from Idaho! I’m bored to death at work so I decided to browse your site on my iphone during lunch break.
    I really like the information you provide here and can’t wait to
    take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how quick your blog loaded on my mobile ..
    I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, good site!

  17. What’s Going down i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It positively
    useful and it has helped me out loads. I’m hoping to give a contribution & help other customers like its aided me.
    Good job.

  18. I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your website.
    It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more
    pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme?
    Superb work!

  19. Hi there fantastic website! Does running a blog
    like this take a large amount of work? I’ve no knowledge of computer programming however
    I was hoping to start my own blog in the near future. Anyway, if you have any suggestions or techniques for new blog owners
    please share. I know this is off subject but I simply wanted to ask.
    Cheers!

  20. Simply desire to say your article is as astounding.
    The clarity to your put up is just great and i can assume you are a professional on this
    subject. Fine together with your permission let me to grasp your feed to keep up to date with drawing close post.
    Thank you one million and please carry on the rewarding work.

  21. Wow, wonderful blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?
    you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your website is
    magnificent, as well as the content!

  22. Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me.

    Anyhow, I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll be
    book-marking and checking back often!

  23. I am not sure where you’re getting your info,
    but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning more
    or understanding more. Thanks for magnificent information I was looking
    for this info for my mission.

  24. Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an really long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up.
    Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say wonderful blog!

  25. I don’t even know the way I stopped up right here, but I
    believed this submit used to be good. I do not understand who you are however certainly you’re going to a
    famous blogger if you happen to are not already.

    Cheers!

  26. Wonderful article! That is the kind of information that should be shared across the internet.
    Shame on Google for not positioning this publish
    higher! Come on over and visit my site .
    Thank you =)

  27. It is actually a great and useful piece of info.
    I’m glad that you just shared this helpful info
    with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thanks for
    sharing.

  28. Wonderful beat ! I would like to apprentice while you
    amend your web site, how can i subscribe for a weblog website?
    The account aided me a acceptable deal. I were tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided vivid
    transparent concept

  29. Hi! I could have sworn I’ve visited this website before but after looking at some of the posts I realized it’s
    new to me. Anyhow, I’m certainly pleased I discovered it and I’ll be book-marking
    it and checking back frequently!

  30. Great post. I used to be checking continuously this
    blog and I’m impressed! Extremely useful information specifically the ultimate phase
    🙂 I handle such information a lot. I used to be seeking this certain info for a very lengthy time.
    Thanks and best of luck.

  31. Every weekend i used to pay a visit this site, as i wish for enjoyment, since this this
    web page conations truly nice funny data too.

  32. Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about
    this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do
    with a few pics to drive the message home a little bit, but
    other than that, this is wonderful blog. A fantastic read.
    I’ll certainly be back.

  33. This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.

    I have joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your excellent post.
    Also, I have shared your website in my social networks!

  34. It’s really a cool and useful piece of information. I’m
    glad that you shared this useful info with us. Please stay us up
    to date like this. Thanks for sharing.

  35. I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your
    blogs really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back down the road.
    Cheers

  36. Fantastic post however I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this topic?
    I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit further.
    Bless you!

  37. I love what you guys are up too. This kind of clever work and reporting!

    Keep up the terrific works guys I’ve included you guys to my blogroll.

  38. This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger.
    I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your
    great post. Also, I have shared your site in my social networks!

  39. Thank you for sharing your info. I truly appreciate your efforts and I am
    waiting for your next write ups thank you once again.

  40. I enjoy what you guys tend to be up too. This sort of clever work and reporting!
    Keep up the good works guys I’ve included you guys
    to my blogroll.

  41. Quality articles or reviews is the main to be a focus for the users to go to see the web
    page, that’s what this site is providing.

  42. Nice post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed!
    Very useful info specially the last part 🙂 I care for such information much.

  43. Everything is very open with a clear explanation of the issues.
    It was definitely informative. Your site is very useful.
    Many thanks for sharing!

  44. Valuable information. Lucky me I found your site unintentionally, and I’m surprised why this coincidence didn’t took place
    earlier! I bookmarked it.

  45. I am really grateful to the owner of this web page who has
    shared this fantastic post at at this time.

  46. Heya i am for the first time here. I found this board and I find It
    really useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and help others like you aided me.

  47. What’s up to everyone, the contents present at this web page are
    in fact remarkable for people knowledge, well, keep up the nice
    work fellows.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like