How to Determine if a Car is Domestic or Imported?
2 Answers
Cars can be identified as domestic or imported by checking the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Below are the specific details about the VIN: 1. Among the 17 characters of the VIN, the first 3 characters represent the vehicle's production country, manufacturer, and car type respectively. 2. Characters 4 to 8 of the VIN indicate the vehicle's features, such as the vehicle category, body type, engine type, and gross vehicle weight rating. 3. The 9th character is a check digit used to verify the accuracy of the VIN. 4. The 10th character represents the production year, indicating which year the vehicle was manufactured. 5. The 11th character denotes the vehicle's assembly location, with '0' indicating original factory assembly. 6. Characters 12 to 17 of the VIN are the production serial number. This is used by manufacturers to recall vehicles with quality issues, as recalls are typically based on production serial numbers.
I usually distinguish between domestically produced and imported cars by checking the vehicle's VIN code. The first three letters of that 17-digit code represent the manufacturing location. If it starts with an 'L', it means it was made in China, while other letters like 'J' or 'W' may indicate an import. The vehicle's nameplate is also crucial—it's usually affixed to the lower left corner of the windshield or on the B-pillar and clearly states 'Manufactured in China' or 'Imported.' When buying a used car, I also check the original import customs declaration, as all imported vehicles come with this document. Some brands, like BMW, have joint ventures in China, such as BMW Brilliance, but the purely imported versions are more expensive and feature finer designs. During maintenance, mechanics often mention the origin of parts—imported cars tend to have more imported components, while domestically produced ones have faster local supply. This method has helped me avoid many pitfalls, preventing me from overpaying for a domestic car mistaken for an import, which could affect resale value.
