Which digit in the VIN code indicates the year?
3 Answers
The 10th digit of the VIN code indicates the year. Here are the relevant details:1. Introduction to VIN: The frame number is the VIN code, where VIN stands for Vehicle Identification Number. The vehicle identification number is essentially the car's ID number.2. Composition of VIN code characters: It consists of 17 characters, hence commonly referred to as the seventeen-digit code. Positions 1-3 (WMI): Manufacturer, brand, and type. Position 2: Automobile manufacturer code. Position 3: Vehicle type code. Positions 4-8 (VDS): Vehicle characteristics. Position 9: Check digit. Position 10: Model year. Position 11: Assembly plant. Positions 12-17: Serial number.3. Important notes: The vehicle identification number can only use the following Arabic numerals and uppercase Roman letters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z (letters I, O, and Q cannot be used).
I've been driving all my life and am very familiar with Vehicle Identification Numbers. A VIN is a 17-digit alphanumeric combination, with the year position fixed at the 10th digit. I've always remembered this because I almost fell for buying a refurbished old car when purchasing my first vehicle. The tenth digit usually represents the year with letters, for example, 'A' stands for 1980 or 2010, 'B' for 1981 or 2011, and so on, depending on the vehicle's origin standards. I often need to check this position during maintenance to ensure parts compatibility, as engine components may differ across model years. Knowing this is also very helpful in used car transactions to avoid being tricked by sellers. In short, the 10th position is a key information point that can be decoded with simple tools.
I've only been into cars for a few years, but I quickly learned about the VIN year position through online research. The tenth character specifically indicates the year, using letters to encode different years—for example, 'C' might correspond to 1982 or 2012, with the system cycling through letters. Initially, when I started DIY car repairs, I didn't pay attention to this and ended up buying parts for the wrong year, wasting money. Later, I learned to check the tenth character before purchasing parts. Now, I use a mobile app to input the VIN and check the year—it's very straightforward. Knowing this position helps better estimate a vehicle's value or avoid minor issues; it's a fundamental skill.
