What do the 17 digits in a VIN mean?

A VIN is composed of 17 characters (digits and capital letters) that act as a unique identifier for the vehicle. A VIN displays the car’s unique features, specifications and manufacturer. The VIN can be used to track recalls, registrations, warranty claims, thefts and insurance coverage.

What does the 12th digit in a VIN number mean?

unique production serial number
The eleventh digit indicates which manufacturing plant your vehicle was assembled at. The twelfth through seventeenth digits are the unique production serial number your vehicle receives on the assembly line.

What does each digit of a VIN represent?

The first character of the VIN indicates the country in which the vehicle was manufactured. VIN’s starting with 1, 4, and 5 are manufactured in the United States. The third number or letter is used by the vehicle manufacturer to identify what kind of vehicle it is: car, truck, bus, etc.

Are all VIN numbers 17 characters?

Since 1981, VIN numbers are always composed of 17 digits consisting of numbers and letters. These digits are listed on a small tag, usually located on the driver’s side of the dashboard, visible when looking through the windshield from outside.

Will my VIN number tell me what engine I have?

Your VIN number is your vehicle identification number and you can find your engine size by VIN number. In the series of numbers and letters, the tenth from the left denotes the model year and the eighth is the engine codes. Just tell the store clerk those two characters and you’re in business.

Can my VIN number tell me what model I have?

Vehicle identification numbers can reveal many things about automobiles, including their airbag type, country of origin, engine size, model year, vehicle type, trim level and plant name.

What year did VIN numbers go to 17 digits?

1981
DESCRIPTION: A vehicle’s identification number (VIN) is a unique identifier. The most common VIN format is the 17-digit VIN, which became standard for all vehicles manufactured since January 1981. Vehicles manufactured prior to 1981 may have as few as 5 digits to as many as 13 digits.

How do you tell the year of a vehicle by the VIN number?

The 10th character in the 17-character VIN represents the vehicle model-year. This standard applies to vehicles built in or after 1981. Before 1981, the VIN format was not standardized and varied by manufacturer.

How do I check a VIN number before 1980?

Prior to 1981, motor vehicle manufacturers maintained separate, in-house records of vehicle identification numbers. Call, email or write motor companies to inquire about the Vehicle Identification Number or VIN for your vehicle.

Can I lookup my vehicle specs by VIN number?

Identifying vehicle specs by VIN is as simple as grabbing a VIN number and plugging it into a VIN decoder tool. Some VIN decoding services, typically those designed for commercial use, allow users to submit the VIN pattern (characters 1-8, 10, and 11) as well as the full 17-digit VIN.

How do I find out what year my car is in South Africa?

If you have established the VIN number of your vehicle, the year model is represented by the tenth character in the VIN. Each of the characters represents a particular year.

How long were VIN numbers in the 70’s?

In the late 60s and early 70s, VIN numbers started to get a little longer (typically 13 characters) and more manufacturers started to encode engine type and body style.

How long is a VIN number in 1979?

If you are not sure of the year of the car, you may be able to go by the length of the VIN. 1962 through 1965 VINs have 10 digits, 1966 through 1974 VINs have 13 digits, 1975 through 1980 VINs also have 13 digits, and 1981 through present VINs have 17 digits.

How can I look up an old VIN number for free?

You can get a free VIN check at the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), VehicleHistory.com or iSeeCars.com/VIN. Just pop in your car’s digits and these sites will do the VIN lookup and give you information on the vehicle.

How many digits is a VIN 1964?

Up through 1964, the VIN number was 12 characters. This early format had the model year at the front followed by the body style, assembly plant designation and sequential serial number. Starting in 65, it changed to 13 characters. The only change was that the body style was now in front followed by the model year.

How many digits is a 1973 VIN?

A VIN number is a 17 character alpha/numeric serial number unique to each vehicle, by manufacturer, make, model and year.

Can 2 vehicles have same VIN?

A VIN is a unique 17-character code of letters and numbers for a particular vehicle. Much like a fingerprint, a VIN is a unique identifier throughout the life of a vehicle: No two cars have the same VIN. However, vehicles manufactured before 1981 can have VINs that vary in length between 11 and 17 characters.

How do I know if my 1964 Chevelle is a SS?

The only external indications of the Malibu SS are the emblems on the quarter panels and the rear cove, distinctive bright trim along the upper body line extending from the front to the rear along with wheel well moldings and bright rocker panel trim extending behind the rear wheel opening.

How do I read an old Ford VIN?

How to Decode Ford VIN Numbers From 1965
  1. Look at the first character in the VIN number. …
  2. Read the second character, which is the code for the assembly plant. …
  3. Read the third and fourth characters, which represent the Ford makes and body style. …
  4. Read the fifth character, which identifies the engine type in the Ford vehicle.

How can I tell if I have a 1964 Impala SS?

The cowl tag is on the top of the cowl with a window cut out of the cowl to view the tag. The trim code will tell you if the car came with bucket seats. Only SS cars came with bucket seats.

What Motor came in a 1964 Chevelle SS?

327 cubic inch 300 horsepower V8 (optional)