What is the meaning of the Vehicle Identification Number?
2 Answers
Vehicle Identification Number refers to a set of codes determined according to national vehicle management standards, which includes the vehicle's manufacturer, year, model, auxiliary type and code, engine code, and assembly location. It consists of 17 digits or letters. The Vehicle Identification Number represents the following: 1. The first digit represents the production country or region code; 2. The second digit represents the automobile manufacturer code; 3. The third digit represents the vehicle type code; 4. The fourth to eighth digits represent vehicle characteristics; 5. The ninth digit represents the check digit; 6. The tenth digit represents the model year; 7. The eleventh digit represents the assembly plant; 8. The twelfth to seventeenth digits represent the production serial number.
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is that 17-character string at the bottom of the windshield, essentially serving as a car's ID card. It contains a wealth of information: the first three digits indicate the manufacturer, such as Toyota or Volkswagen. The following six digits specify the exact model, engine type, and configuration. The 10th character is particularly important—it denotes the production year; for example, the letter 'N' represents 2022 models. The final digits are the serial number, recording this vehicle's sequence in its production batch. Every time I visit the repair shop, mechanics always note this number first because it allows precise lookup of part models. It's also crucial for checking maintenance records when selling used cars—a very practical design.
