From 2001 to 2009, the numbers 1 through 9 were used in place of letters. The letters from B to Y correspond to the model years 1981 to 2000. In the 10th position, you'll see a letter indicating the model year.The following group of eight elements (10-17) is the vehicle identifier section. The number that appears varies and is based on a mathematical formula that the U.S. Number 9 is the check digit, which is used to detect invalid VINs.Numbers 4 through 8 describe the car with such information as the model, body type, restraint system, transmission type and engine code.The next six digits to check (positions 4-9) are the vehicle descriptor section. This Wikipedia page has a list of WMI codes. The third digit, when combined with the first two letters or numbers, indicates the vehicle's type or manufacturing division.It may sound confusing, but the next digit ties it all together. But that 'A' can also stand for Jaguar or Mitsubishi, and an 'R' can also mean Audi. For example, A is for Audi, B is for BMW, G is for General Motors, L is for Lincoln, and N is for Nissan. In some cases, it's the letter that begins the manufacturer's name. The second element in this group tells you about the manufacturer.Japan is J, South Korea is K, England is S, Germany is W, and Sweden or Finland is Y. In this group, the first digit or letter identifies the country of origin.The first group of three numbers and letters in a VIN make up the world manufacturer identifier (WMI). There's even a bit of fraud detection in the VIN, in the form of the 'check digit,' described below. The first section identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle, and uses the first three digits: The first digit identifies the nation of origin.VIN information is organized in groups, and a search of your vehicle identification number can tell you a lot about your car. What does each digit in a vin mean?Įach character in a VIN has a specific meaning, and the VIN is broken up into sections. After the vehicle was completed, these were discarded as their purpose had been served. It was used on the Trim and Chassis (T&C) line as a device to communicate to the workers what items were to be installed in or on the vehicle. What is a factory build sheet? The build sheet was a paper that was used during the assembly of the vehicle. In most states, the DMV will provide a VIN check for free. Go to your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Purchase a more detailed VHR through a private service. You then have several different options: Obtain a basic free VHR through government-run public services. To run a VIN lookup, first you'll need the car's vehicle identification number (VIN). Frequently Asked Questions How do you run a vin?

Vehicle build sheet by vin