How many digits is the VIN?
4 Answers
The VIN is a 17-digit code composed of letters and numbers, known as the Vehicle Identification Number, which identifies the manufacturer, engine, chassis number, and other performance data of the vehicle. The requirements for using the VIN are: 1. Every vehicle must have a VIN; 2. No two vehicles produced within 30 years can have the same VIN; 3. The VIN is located in the front half of the vehicle; 4. The VIN on vehicle components must not be damaged or removed. The meaning of the VIN is: 1. The first digit represents the country or region of production; 2. The second digit represents the manufacturer code; 3. The third digit represents the vehicle type code; 4. Digits 4 to 8 represent vehicle characteristics; 5. The ninth digit is a check digit; 6. The tenth digit represents the model year; 7. The eleventh digit represents the assembly plant; 8. Digits 12 to 17 represent the serial number.
Last time I went to the DMV to transfer a used car, the staff spent a long time comparing the VIN with the rubbing paper. Nowadays, mainstream VINs are 17-digit combinations mixing letters and numbers. These characters are located in places like the lower left corner of the windshield and the engine compartment. I remember it clearly because the staff told me the third digit represents the manufacturer, and the tenth digit indicates the production year. For example, J stands for 2018, and K means 2019. This string of codes is like the car's ID number—it's used for checking parts during repairs, determining the model for insurance, and registration transfers. Although older cars might have 8 or 13-digit VINs, they were standardized internationally to 17 digits after 1981, and exceptions are rare. Understanding this code is very practical—at least you won’t be fooled into buying a reassembled car when purchasing a used vehicle.
The topic of Vehicle Identification Numbers often comes up in car club chats. A standard VIN does consist of 17 characters, including digits 1-9 and uppercase letters (excluding easily confused I, O, Q). When helping a friend with vehicle inspection before, I studied it carefully - these 17 digits are divided into three sections: the first three represent manufacturer code, the middle six are vehicle descriptor, and the last eight make up the production sequence. The most interesting part is the 10th digit year code, which started with letter A for 1980, and now R stands for 2024. Don't underestimate these 17 characters - the DMV system relies on them to identify specific models, and we input this code when checking maintenance records too. That's why you should never damage the stamped VIN on the windshield - getting it reissued is particularly troublesome.
Mechanics always verify the VIN before replacing parts. Nowadays, it's uniformly 17 digits long and can be found on the passenger side door sill, engine firewall, or vehicle registration document. These characters are quite interesting: numbers 0-9 plus 24 English letters (excluding I, O, and Q to avoid confusion). The 10th character specifically indicates the model year—for example, the 2016 model I'm working on shows a G. I recommend taking a photo of your VIN and saving it on your phone; it's useful in case of theft or when matching parts. Although pre-1981 classic cars may have shorter VINs, over 90% of vehicles on the road today follow the standard 17-digit format.
