How to Check a Car's Production Date Based on the VIN?
2 Answers
Here are the methods and precautions for checking a car's production date based on the VIN: 1. The vehicle identification number (VIN) consists of 17 letters and numbers, each corresponding to specific information. 2. The first 3 codes represent the country of manufacture, manufacturer, and vehicle type, identified by numbers or letters (positions 1~3). 3. The next 5 codes indicate vehicle characteristics, defined by the manufacturer. Refer to the car manual for details (positions 4~8). 4. The third part is the check digit, which may be a letter or number, determined by the manufacturer (position 9). 5. The fourth part is the production year code, represented by a letter or number, internationally standardized (position 10). 6. The fifth part is the assembly plant and location code, denoted by letters, determined by the manufacturer (position 11). 7. The sixth part is the production sequence number, assigned by the manufacturer (positions 12~17).
Want to know the secret of the production date hidden in the VIN? Let me teach you how to read it. The VIN is like a car's ID number, consisting of 17 characters, usually found on the lower left corner of the windshield or the door frame on the passenger side. The most crucial part is the 10th character, which directly indicates the production year. The current pattern is that 2010 is represented by A, 2011 by B, and so on, skipping the letters I, O, and Q to avoid confusion. For example, my own car's 10th character is L, which translates to a 2020 production year. If you're checking an older car, note that before 2000, numbers were used as codes; from 2001 to 2009, numbers 1 to 9 were used, and after 2010, the cycle switched back to letters. There are many free online tools where you can enter the VIN to decode detailed production information.
