Did you ever wonder whether
all those numbers in your car's vehicle identification number really meant
anything? They do! This applies to cars and light trucks only.
Requirements for VIN in the USA are contained in
the Code of Federal Regulations, 49CFR565.
Here is a sample VIN.
1
G8
ZH859
X
Y
N
190510
1
Country in which vehicle was
built, see below
G8
Code for the manufacturer, see below
ZH859
Codes for brand, body style,
engine size and type; These vary widely among car makes, models and equipment.
X
This section is the check digit
whose purpose is to provide a means for verifying the accuracy of any
VIN transcription. After all other characters in VIN have been
determined by the manufacturer, the check digit shall be calculated by
carrying out the mathematical computation specified in paragraphs (c)
(1) through (4) of 49CFR565.6.
Y
Model year, see below
N
Code for assembly plant
190510
Serial number, numbering practices determined by manufacturer
1, 4, 5 - USA
2 - Canada
3- Mexico, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica
6 - Australia
7 - New Zealand
8, 9 - South American Nations
J - Japan
K - South Korea
L - China, including Taiwan
M - India
R - Taiwan
S - United Kingdom
V - France, Yugoslavia
W - Germany
X - Russia
Y - Sweden
Z - Italy
A - 1980
B - 1981
C - 1982
D - 1983
E - 1984
F - 1985
G - 1986
H - 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
A - 2010
B - 2011
C - 2012
D - 2013
A - Audi, Jaguar
B - BMW
C - Chrysler
D - Mercedes
F - Ford
G - General Motors
H - Honda
N - Nissan
T - Toyota
V - Volvo, Volkswagen