Decoding the VIN
The Vehicle Identification Number is an internationally recognized code (originally defined by ISO Standard 3779) that describes automobiles, trailers, motorcycles, and mopeds. Each character position is reserved for a specific type of information, and each code describes a particular aspect of the vehicle. The first three characters of the VIN contain the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) code.
- Click the VIN below for a description of each character position.
Country Codes|
A-H |
Africa |
|---|---|
|
AA-AH |
South Africa |
|
J-R |
Asia |
|
J |
Japan |
|
KL-KR |
South Korea |
|
L |
China |
|
MA-ME |
India |
|
MF-MR |
Thailand |
|
PA-PE |
Philippines |
|
PL-PR |
Malaysia |
|
S-Z |
Europe |
|
SA-SM |
United Kingdom |
|
SN-ST, W |
Germany |
|
SU-SZ |
Poland |
|
TA-TH |
Switzerland |
|
TJ-TP |
Czech Republic |
|
TR-TV |
Hungary |
|
VA-VE |
Austria |
|
VF-VR |
France |
|
VS-VW |
Spain |
|
VX-V2 |
Yugoslavia |
|
XS-XW |
USSR |
|
X3-X0 |
Russia |
|
YA-YE |
Belgium |
|
YF-YK |
Finland |
|
YS-YW |
Sweden |
|
ZA-ZR |
Italy |
|
1-5 |
North America |
|
1, 4, 5 |
United States |
|
2 |
Canada |
|
3 |
Mexico |
|
6-7 |
Oceania |
|
6A-6W |
Australia |
|
7A-7E |
New Zealand |
|
8-0 |
South America |
|
8A-8E |
Argentina |
|
8X-82 |
Venezuela |
|
9A-9E, 93-99 |
Brazil |
|
9F-9J |
Colombia |
|
A |
Audi |
|
A |
Jaguar |
|
B |
BMW |
|
B |
Dodge |
|
C |
Chrysler |
|
D |
Mercedes Benz |
|
F |
Ford |
|
G |
General Motors |
|
H |
Honda |
|
L |
Lincoln |
|
M |
Mercury |
|
N |
Nissan |
|
P |
Plymouth |
|
T |
Toyota |
|
V |
Volkswagen |
|
V |
Volvo |
|
1 |
Chevrolet |
|
2 or 5 |
Pontiac |
|
3 |
Oldsmobile |
|
4 |
Buick |
|
6 |
Cadillac |
|
7 |
GM Canada |
|
8 |
Saturn |
|
JA |
Isuzu |
|
JF |
Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru) |
|
JH |
Honda |
|
JM |
Mazda |
|
JN |
Nissan |
|
JS |
Suzuki |
|
JT |
Toyota |
|
KL |
Daewoo |
|
KN |
Kia |
|
KMH |
Hyundai |
|
KN |
Kia |
|
SAL |
Land Rover |
|
SAJ |
Jaguar |
|
SCC |
Lotus Cars |
|
TRU |
Audi |
|
VF1 |
Renault |
|
VF3 |
Peugeot |
|
VF7 |
Citroen |
|
VSS |
SEAT |
|
WAU |
Audi |
|
WBA |
BMW |
|
WBS |
BMW |
|
WDB |
Mercedes-Benz |
|
WP0 |
Porsche |
|
WVW |
Volkswagen |
|
WV2 |
Volkswagen |
|
YK1 |
Saab |
|
YS3 |
Saab |
|
YV1 |
Volvo Cars |
|
ZDF |
Ferrari Dino |
|
ZFA |
Fiat |
|
ZFF |
Ferrari |
|
1F |
Ford Motor Company |
|
1G |
General Motors |
|
1GC |
Chevrolet |
|
1GM |
Pontiac |
|
1L |
Lincoln |
|
1M |
Mercury |
|
1VW |
Volkswagen USA |
|
1YV |
Mazda USA |
|
2F |
Ford Motor Company Canada |
|
2M |
Mercury |
|
2G |
General Motors Canada |
|
2G1 |
Chevrolet Canada |
|
2G1 |
Pontiac Canada |
|
2HM |
Hyundai Canada |
|
3F |
Ford Motor Company Mexico |
|
3G |
General Motors Mexico |
|
3VW |
Volkswagen Mexico |
|
9BW |
Volkswagen Brazil |
|
4F |
Mazda USA |
|
4M |
Mercury |
|
4S |
Subaru-Isuzu Automotive |
|
4US |
BMW USA |
|
5L |
Lincoln |
|
A |
1980 |
|
B |
1981 |
|
C |
1982 |
|
D |
1983 |
|
E |
1984 |
|
F |
1984 |
|
G |
1985 |
|
H |
1986 |
|
I |
1987 |
|
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 |
|
9 |
2009 |
