What does the vehicle identification number mean?
3 Answers
Vehicle identification number is the ID number of a car, which is determined according to national vehicle management standards and contains information such as the manufacturer, year, model, body type and code, engine code, and assembly location of the vehicle. Here is some introduction about the vehicle identification number: 1. Introduction: Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), VIN is the abbreviation of Vehicle Identification Number. Because the ASE standard stipulates that the VIN code consists of 17 characters, it is commonly known as the seventeen-digit code. Correctly interpreting the VIN code is very important for correctly identifying the vehicle model and performing correct diagnosis and maintenance. 2. Description: The vehicle identification code should consist of three parts: the first part, the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI); the second part, the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS); the third part, the Vehicle Indicator Section.
This 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) acts like a car's ID card, which I frequently use during repairs. The first three digits indicate the manufacturing location and manufacturer—for example, LFV stands for Audi, while LSV represents SAIC Volkswagen. The middle six digits describe vehicle characteristics, including engine type and safety configurations. The last eight digits consist of a serial number plus a check digit, similar to the anti-counterfeiting feature in the last four digits of our ID cards. When buying a used car, never forget to verify the VIN. Scanning it with a mini-program can reveal whether the odometer has been tampered with—it's incredibly useful. If you notice the VIN in the windshield corner is worn? Be cautious, as it might indicate a flood-damaged vehicle.
When I first bought my car, I was also puzzled about what a VIN was, but now I'm quite familiar with it. Every time I go for maintenance, the staff scans that string of letters and numbers at the bottom left corner of the windshield with a handheld device—it's like reading the vehicle's genetic code. For example, the fifth digit usually represents the model grade, with Japanese cars often using 'L' to denote the standard version. Recently, while helping my sister inspect a used car, I discovered that the tenth letter in the VIN indicates the manufacturing year, with 'R' representing 2023. If the stamped numbers on the door hinge don't match those on the windshield, it's likely a reassembled car from an accident.
