How to Identify the Year from the VIN?
2 Answers
The method to identify the year from the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is: locate the 10th digit of the VIN and match it with the corresponding year code. The VIN, also known as the Vehicle Identification Number, is assigned by the manufacturer before the car leaves the factory. It consists of 17 alphanumeric characters, with the year code being the 10th digit. This code is composed of 21 English letters (A to Y, excluding I and O) and 9 numbers (1 to 9), ensuring no duplicates for the same car model within 30 years. It's important to note that while this method applies to most car models, a small number of models manufactured early in the year might have the 10th digit representing the previous year's code.
Want to know about the model year from the VIN? It's pretty useful. I often use it when helping people check used cars. In the 17-digit VIN code, the 10th character indicates the model year. Finding the VIN isn't hard—it's usually on a sticker in the lower left corner of the windshield or on the driver's side door frame. Some cars also have it under the hood. For example, if the 10th character is 'L', it means 2020; if it's '5', then it's 2005. But be careful—the codes cycle every 30 years. 'L' stood for 1990, but in 2010 it was 'A', which can be confusing. It's best to use a free VIN decoder app or website like Carfax—just enter the full code to confirm the year, and you can also see manufacturing details and the vehicle model, helping you avoid pitfalls when buying a car and ensuring a more secure transaction. You can also check the vehicle's maintenance records while you're at it.
