What does VIN code mean?

[KhloeAnn]

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique 17-character alphanumeric code assigned to a vehicle, used to identify the manufacturer, engine, chassis number, and other specifications of the car. It serves as a unified global identification system for road vehicles (essentially the car's ID card), simplifying vehicle information retrieval and improving the accuracy and efficiency of fault feedback. China's Ministry of Mechanical Industry issued the "Vehicle Identification Code Management Rules" (GB/T16735-1997, GB/T16736-1997) as early as December 25, 1996, clearly stipulating that all newly produced vehicles in China after January 1, 1999, must use the VIN. The VIN consists of three parts: 1. World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI): The WMI code must be applied for, approved, and filed by the country of origin before use. It is a unique combination of letters or digits assigned by national authorities to identify a specific manufacturer. The first character indicates the country or region of production, while the second and third characters identify the manufacturer or company. 2. Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS): Located in the second part of the VIN (positions 4-9), the VDS consists of six characters that describe the general characteristics of the vehicle. The order and meaning of these characters are determined by the manufacturer. For example, passenger cars indicate type, series, body style, engine type, and restraint system; trucks specify model, series, chassis, cab type, engine type, brake system, and gross vehicle weight rating; buses denote model, series, body type, engine type, and brake system. The last character of the VDS is a check digit to prevent input errors. If fewer than six characters are used, the remaining positions are filled with manufacturer-selected letters or numbers. 3. Vehicle Indicator Section (VIS): Located in the third part of the VIN (positions 10-17), the VIS is an eight-character code assigned by the manufacturer according to international conventions. The first character (position 10) indicates the model year (ensuring no repetition for 30 years). The letters and numbers used are: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, R, S, T, V, W, X, Y, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 (excluding 0, I, O, Q, U, Z). Specific years are determined by international standards. To prevent confusion, the letters "I," "O," and "Q" are not used in the VIN, leaving 33 available symbols. Meaning of VIN codes: The first three characters of the VIN indicate the country of origin, manufacturer, and vehicle type. For example, LFW refers to trucks, LFP to passenger cars, LFB to buses, LFN to incomplete vehicles, LFD to spare codes, LFS to special vehicles, LFT to trailers, and LFM to multipurpose passenger vehicles. Here, "L" stands for China, "F" for first, "P" for passenger, "W" for work, "B" for bus, "N" for incomplete, "M" for multipurpose, "S" for special, and "T" for trailer. Off-road trucks, dump trucks, semi-trailer tractors, and passenger-cargo vans are classified as trucks. Jeep-type vehicles include both off-road and non-off-road passenger cars. Passenger cars converted from buses fall under the dual-purpose bus category. If the vehicle model code includes a "5," it indicates a special-purpose vehicle. Apart from passenger-cargo vans, these can also be considered trucks, with bodies resembling passenger cars.

[LeErin]

The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is the unique ID of every vehicle. Having driven several cars, whether new or used, I always carefully check its VIN, typically located at the bottom of the windshield or inside the driver's door. This 17-character code includes letters and numbers, with the first letter indicating the country of manufacture (e.g., US for the United States), followed by the manufacturer code, vehicle attributes in the middle, and the model year and production sequence at the end. I use it to check a car's history—online tools allow you to input the VIN for free to see accident records, recall info, or theft records, which is incredibly useful. Especially when buying used cars, the VIN has helped me avoid flood-damaged vehicles. This system has been globally standardized since 1981, and now almost all cars have it, ensuring transaction transparency and safety. I recommend car owners periodically note down their VIN; if the car is stolen or in an emergency, reporting it to the police speeds up the process. Unlike license plates, which can be changed, the VIN is a permanent identifier, making vehicle management more efficient.