How to Identify a Car Model?
2 Answers
Methods for identifying a car model: Identify through the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is a 17-digit code composed of letters and numbers. The 1st to 3rd digits represent the country of production, manufacturer, and vehicle type code respectively; the 4th to 8th digits indicate vehicle characteristics, with meanings defined by each manufacturer; the 9th digit is a check digit, which can be represented by a letter or number. The 10th digit of the VIN represents the production year code, denoted by a letter or number; the 11th digit indicates the assembly plant and location code; the 12th to 17th digits represent the production sequence number. The combination of the Vehicle Identification Number ensures that no two vehicles of the same model will have the same number within 30 years, providing a unique identifier for each vehicle, hence it can be referred to as the car's ID card.
I didn't know how to identify cars before, but later I figured out a few simple methods. The easiest way is to directly check the rear emblem - most manufacturers place the model name on the trunk lid, like Volkswagen's 'Tiguan L' which is clearly marked. If the owner removed it, don't worry, just check the 17-character VIN at the lower left corner of the windshield - you can find all details by searching this alphanumeric combination with a mobile app. When on the road, I pay attention to front-end designs - headlight shapes vary significantly across different series, like the noticeable differences between BMW 3 Series and 5 Series headlights. As a last resort, checking the owner's manual never fails as it contains complete model information.
