What is the long sequence of digits in your registration papers or insurance documents? You must have seen a number like this several times - 2FMZU62E02ZB78590. Have you wondered what this number refers to? Well, this number is your Vehicle Identification Number or VIN, in short.
Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) are unique numbers given to each vehicle. The number is the identity of the vehicle. Prior to 1980, there were no accepted standards of identifying a motor vehicle. Manufacturers used different formats and there was no uniformity. Modern day standards require VINs. These numbers consist of 17 digits that do not include I, O or Q. Each character of the VIN number has a meaning to it.
The first three characters are used to identify the manufacturer of the vehicle using the World Manufacturer Identifier or the WMI code. A manufacturing company that fabricates less than 500 vehicles every year uses a 9 as the third digit and the 12th, 13th, and 14th position of the VIN for a second portion of identification. A few manufacturers use the third character as a code for the vehicle category, like bus or truck, a division within a manufacturer, or both.
The 4th to 9th positions comprise the Vehicle Descriptor Section or the VDS. This section is used in accordance with the local regulations, to identify the vehicle type and could include information on the platform used, the model, and the body style. Every manufacturer has a unique system for this particular section.
The 10th to 17th positions make up the Vehicle Identifier Section or VIS. This is used by the manufacturer to identify the individual vehicle. This section could have information on options installed in the vehicle or engine and transmission choices. Most often, it is a simple sequential number. In North America, the last five digits should be numeric.
Further description of the sections is given below.
Together, the 17 numbers create an identifier that tells you everything about the vehicle and its history.
Where to Find Your VIN
The VIN is inscribed in various sections of the vehicle body. You can find it in these common locations:
- The firewall of the vehicle
- Left hand inner wheel arch
- Steering column
- Radiator support bracket
- Dash by windshield
- Driver's door or the door post on passenger side
- Guarantee & maintenance book and other vehicle documents
- Machine pad in front of engine
- Component parts like engine, frame, etc.
In later model years, the VIN's were commonly inscribed in:
- Left instrumentation/dash plate by window
- Driver's door or post
- Firewall
How to Decode a VIN
The VIN might appear to be secret code. However, it is only a simple sequence of numbers, where each number has a specific reference. When you decode the VIN, it gives you information about the country and year of manufacture, the make, model, and serial number of the vehicle, the assembly plant, and in some cases even the equipment specifications.
The system typically goes like this:
The sequence for characters in the number is first A to Z, then 1 to 9, and last 0. The letters I, O and Q are not included.
The vehicle identification number is basically divided into four main parts:
- World Manufacturer's Identification (WMI - three characters)
- Vehicle Description Section (VDS - five characters)
- The VIN Accuracy Check Digit
- Vehicle Identification Section (VIS - eight characters)
World Manufacturer's Identification (WMI)
In this section, the first character represents the country of manufacture. Countries like the United States (1 or 4), Canada (2), and Mexico (3) are represented with the help of numbers. On the other hand, countries such as Germany (W), Italy (Z), and Japan (J) are represented by alphabet letters.
The second character in this section refers to the manufacturer. The characters can be either alphabets or numbers. For instance: Jaguar (A), Dodge (B), Chrysler (C), Jeep (J), Buick (4), Cadillac (6), or Saturn (8).
The third character identifies the vehicle type or manufacturing division.
Vehicle Description Section (VDS) and Check Digit
The vehicle description section identifies right from the body style, engine type, and braking system to the model, series, restraint system, etc. The 9th character in this section is a VIN accuracy check digit, used to verify previous VIN numbers. This accuracy check digit is determined with the help of a mathematical computation developed by the Department of Transportation (DOT).
Vehicle Identification Section (VIS)
The vehicle identification section identifies the model year (10th character) and the assembly plant for the vehicle (11th character). A number or letter may be used to represent the model year, say 1998 (W), 2000 (Y), 2007 (7), or 2008 (8).
The characters 12-17 are the actual serial number of the vehicle. They are like the DNA of the human body. These digits set one vehicle apart from others. These digits can also be useful in identifying if the vehicle was the first, the hundredth, or the last vehicle that rolled off the assembly line of the manufacturer.
The next time somebody asks you what the VIN represents, you will be able to tell them. You will now be able to decode the long number printed on the registration papers of your car inscribed in different parts of the vehicle.
