What Does the 10th Digit of a VIN Represent?
3 Answers
The 10th digit of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) indicates the model year. Different digits and letters represent different years (production years are denoted by 30 characters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, R, S, T, V, W, X, Y, cycling every 30 years). Below are methods to locate a VIN: 1. Currently, most vehicle models display it on the left side of the dashboard or the lower left corner of the front windshield. 2. Beneath the front wiper water deflector or on the engine compartment firewall. 3. Fixed nameplate in the engine compartment. 4. On the A-pillar or B-pillar of the driver's side. 5. On the frame near the wheel area. 6. On the radiator support frame (also known as the 'dragon frame'). 7. On the front shock absorber mount (above the front fender inner panel). 8. On the vehicle registration certificate; newer certificates typically print the VIN in the 'VIN' field.
The 10th digit of this VIN is something I always pay special attention to when checking used cars. It specifically indicates the vehicle's model year, serving as the car's birth year code. For example, if you see the letter 'L', that means the car was manufactured in 2020 – you'll notice many 'L' cars on the road this year. 'M' stands for 2021, 'N' for 2022, and so on year by year. However, cars from the 1990s used letters at the beginning, but later they started mixing in numbers after 2000 to avoid running out of the 26 letters. Next time you're looking at a used car, remember to verify this code – some salvaged cars may tamper with the year, and this spot is the most reliable way to check.
The year digit in the VIN is located in the tenth position, which is an internationally standardized rule. I've checked it many times on my phone. It uses specific characters to represent particular years, like R for 2024 and S for 2025. However, it's important to avoid letters like I, O, and Q, which can easily be confused with numbers. This code cycles every thirty years, so seeing an A could mean either 2010 or 1980, and you need to judge based on the overall condition of the vehicle. When helping a friend inspect a car, I noticed that the decoding rules for domestic cars are completely consistent with those for imported cars in this position, which is quite convenient.
