Which digit in the VIN represents the year?
3 Answers
A VIN consists of 17 digits. Initially, manufacturers assigned a specific letter to each vehicle for identification purposes. The 10th digit from the left represents the corresponding manufacturing year. This digit can be either a number or a letter, and the year it signifies varies by country or region. In China, it consists of A-H, J, K, L, M, N, P, V, W, X, Y, plus 1-9, and cycles every 30 years. Additional information: 1. The first three digits of the VIN are the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI), which is assigned by international or national authorities. The WMI code must be applied for, approved, and registered by the respective country before use. The WMI is designated by a national authority to identify a specific manufacturer using a combination of letters or digits, ensuring the uniqueness of the manufacturer's identification through the first, second, and third digits. 2. The Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) is the second part of the VIN (digits 4-9). The VDS consists of six digits and should identify the general characteristics of the vehicle. The order of these codes is determined by the manufacturer and includes features such as the type, series, body style, engine type, and restraint system type for passenger cars. 3. The Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS) is the third part of the VIN (digits 10-17) and is assigned by the manufacturer according to international conventions.
When it comes to the VIN code, the vehicle's ID card, the most common question I encounter from car owners is about the year position. In the standard 17-digit VIN code, the 10th character represents the year, which is essentially the car's birth year marker. Different years are indicated by letters or numbers. For example, the 10th character of my car is L, and according to the code chart, it means it was manufactured in 2020. Don’t underestimate this single character—it’s something that’s easily overlooked when buying a car. A friend of mine once bought a used car that the seller claimed was nearly new, but upon checking the 10th character of the VIN, it turned out to be a three-year-old model. He almost got scammed. So, I recommend keeping a copy of the year code reference chart and double-checking this position when inspecting a car—it’s a surefire way to avoid mistakes.
I've helped people check vehicle VIN numbers countless times - the 10th digit specifically indicates the production year. There was a case at the repair shop where a customer kept complaining about parts not fitting, only to discover the parts were for a different year than what the VIN's 10th digit showed. Just a reminder: VIN year digits have used letter codes since the 1980s, and the sequence restarted from A after 2010. When inspecting a car, it's best to photograph the VIN at the lower left corner of the windshield with your phone, especially verifying that the 10th character matches the vehicle registration details - this can prevent many future hassles.
