| An Auto VIN Decoder breaks down the unique | | | | YS3 = Saab, YV1=Volvo)The fourth character is the |
| alphanumeric sequence known as a Vehicle | | | | type of restraint system.In the above example, "R" |
| Identification Number, which is a car's fingerprint. Each | | | | represents hydraulic breaks using the VIN |
| and every automobile on the road has its own | | | | Decoder.The fifth, sixth & seventh characters are the |
| 17-character VIN, and it is this identification number that | | | | vehicle line, series and body style. This will obviously be |
| is used to generate a Vehicle History Report, also | | | | different across makes and models.In the above |
| known as a VIN check.The VIN check taps into millions | | | | example, characters 5, 6 & 7 are X18: X18 is a Ford |
| of DMV records and reveals all of the available history | | | | F150 Pickup 4WD Super CabThe eighth character is |
| for a particular vehicle, including any hidden problems, | | | | the engine type.With the Auto VIN Decoder, W |
| odometer readings, ownership transfers and more. It is | | | | represents a 4.6 liter V-8 engine.The tenth character |
| an absolute must for used car buyers, as it tells you | | | | represents the year of the car. Pay close attention to |
| everything you need to know about the vehicle.The | | | | this one:B = 1981 F = 1985 K = 1989 P = 1993 V = 1997 |
| Auto VIN Decoder can help you understand what | | | | 1 = 2001 |
| these letters and numbers mean, which is the first step | | | | C = 1982 G = 1986 L = 1990 R = 1994 W = 1998 2 = |
| towards ensuring that a vehicle you are considering is | | | | 2002 |
| right for you.Let's break down the Vehicle Identification | | | | D = 1983 H = 1987 M = 1991 S = 1995 X = 1999 3 = |
| Number, starting with the first character. (Please note | | | | 2003 |
| the letter "I" as in indigo, the letter "O" as in orange, and | | | | E = 1984 J = 1988 N = 1992 T = 1996 Y = 2000 4 = |
| the letter "Q" as in queen are NOT found in any VIN | | | | 2004For the most recent used model year, 5 = 2005In |
| Numbers.)(We will use the following VIN as an | | | | the above example, the "X" indicates that this car was |
| example: 2FTRX18W1XCA01212)The first character | | | | made in 1999.The eleventh character indicates the |
| represents the country of manufacture, and can be a | | | | assembly plant.In the above example, the C indicates |
| letter or a number, each signifying a different country. | | | | Ontario, CanadaCharacters 12-17 represent the |
| The most common ones are as follows:(1 = USA, 2 = | | | | vehicle's unique fingerprint. It is these six digits which |
| Canada, 3 = Mexico, J = Japan, K = Korea, W = | | | | make every single vehicle in the world different.So |
| Germany, Y = Finland, Sweden)So using the Auto VIN | | | | using the Auto VIN Decoder one last time, the Vehicle |
| Decoder in the above example, this particular car was | | | | Identification Number: 2FTRX18W1XCA01212 |
| made in Canada.The second/third characters | | | | represents a 1999 Ford F150 Pickup 4WD Super Cab |
| represent the manufacturer, also known as the make. | | | | manufactured in Ontario, Canada with hydraulic brakes |
| The most common are:(A = Alfa Romeo, B = Dodge, | | | | and a 4.6-liter V-8 engine.So there you have it, the |
| C = Chrysler, D = Daihatsu, E = Eagle, F= Ford/Eagle, | | | | Auto VIN Decoder. If you are in the market for a used |
| G = All General Motors vehicles (Buick, Cadillac, | | | | vehicle, use this decoder to make sure that it is indeed |
| Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Saturn) | | | | the exact model that the seller is claiming it is. Once |
| H = Honda/Acura, J= Jeep, L = Lincoln, M = Mitsubishi, | | | | you have verified the Vehicle Identification Number is |
| N = Nissan/Infiniti, P = Plymouth, S = Subaru, T = | | | | accurate, you can proceed with your VIN check and |
| Toyota/Lexus, V = Volkswagen)So using the Auto | | | | learn everything you need to know about that |
| VIN Decoder in the above example, this car is a Ford | | | | particular car.David Bloom has been researching the |
| or an Eagle..since Eagle is no longer made, it is most | | | | automotive industry for years, and is a contributing |
| likely a Ford.Other popular makes use a 3-character | | | | editor for several web sites, including Car Detective |
| initial sequence:(TRU/WAU = Audi, 4US/WBA/WBS = | | | | Vehicle History Reports and Auto Advice Car Buying |
| BMW, 2HM/KMH = Hyundai, SAJ = Jaguar, SAL = | | | | Tips. Both sites include information for new and used |
| Land Rover, 1YV/JM1 = Mazda, WDB = | | | | car buyers. |
| Mercedes-Benz, VF3 = Peugeot, WP0 = Porsche, YK1 | | | | |