What does the 10th digit of the VIN mean?
2 Answers
The 10th digit of the VIN indicates the production year of the vehicle. Here are the detailed explanations about the VIN: 1. Digits 1~3: World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) code, which shows who manufactured the vehicle. The first character represents the geographic region, the second character represents a specific country within that region, and the third character indicates a specific manufacturing plant. 2. Digits 4~8: Vehicle descriptor section, defined by each manufacturer. Refer to the manual for specific meanings. The 4th digit indicates the vehicle type, the 5th digit represents the model series code (related to the manufacturer), the 6th digit indicates the body type (vehicle appearance) code, the 7th digit represents the engine type code, and the 8th digit shows the transmission type equipped. 3. The 9th digit: Check digit, which can be a letter or number, defined by the manufacturer. 4. The 10th digit: Model year code, represented by a letter or number, internationally standardized. 5. The 11th digit: Plant code indicating the assembly plant and location, represented by a letter, defined by the manufacturer. 6. Digits 12~17: Production sequence number, defined by the manufacturer.
I remember when I was researching VIN numbers last time, I found the 10th digit to be extremely important—it represents the vehicle's production year. For example, 'A' stands for 2010, 'B' for 2011, while numbers are used for older cars, like '1' representing 2001. As a car enthusiast, I often help friends inspect used cars, and by checking this 10th digit, I can quickly determine the year, helping them avoid buying flood-damaged or accident vehicles. I once checked my old car, and 'J' indicated 2018, which matched the maintenance records and saved me money on parts replacement. The entire VIN has 17 digits, with other sections revealing the manufacturing location and model, but the 10th digit is the easiest to use—there are online lookup tables for reference. Paying attention to this detail in daily car dealings can help prevent scams.
