Vehicle identification number - wikipedia Vehicle identification number `` VIN '' redirects here. For other uses, see Vin ( disambiguation ). `` VINs '' redirects here. For the non-profit organization, see Vermont Institute of Natural Science. For the Russian Baptist pastor, see Vins. This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia 's quality standards. The specific problem is : Do we need examples of a checksum validator in four different languages ? Please help improve this article if you can. ( August 2017 ) VIN on a Chinese moped VIN on a 1996 Porsche 993 GT2 VIN visible in the windshield VIN is recorded in Vehicle License of China. A vehicle identification number ( VIN ) is a unique code, including a serial number, used by the automotive industry to identify individual motor vehicles, towed vehicles, motorcycles, scooters and mopeds, as defined in ISO 3833. VINs were first used in 1954 in the United States. From 1954 to 1981, there was no accepted standard for these numbers, so different manufacturers used different formats. In 1981, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the United States standardized the format. It required all on - road vehicles sold to contain a 17 - character VIN, which does not include the letters I ( i ), O ( o ), and Q ( q ) ( to avoid confusion with numerals 1 and 0 ). There are vehicle history services in several countries that help potential car owners use VINs to find vehicles that are defective or have been written off. See the Used car article for a list of countries where this service is available. Contents 1 Classification 2 Components 2.1 World manufacturer identifier 2.1. 1 Country codes 2.2 Vehicle descriptor section 2.2. 1 North American check digits 2.3 Vehicle identifier section 2.3. 1 Model year encoding 2.3. 2 Plant code 2.3. 3 Production number 3 Check - digit calculation 3.1 Transliterating the numbers 3.2 Weights used in calculation 3.3 Worked example 3.4 Example code 4 VIN scanning 5 List of common WMI 6 See also 7 References 8 External links Classification There are at least four competing standards used to calculate the VIN. FMVSS 115, Part 565 : Used in United States and Canada ISO Standard 3779 : Used in Europe and many other parts of the world SAE J853 : Very similar to the ISO standard ADR 61 / 2 used in Australia, referring to ISO 3779 and 3780 Components Modern VINs are based on two related standards, originally issued by the International Organization for Standardization ( ISO ) in 1979 and 1980 : ISO 3779 and ISO 3780, respectively. Compatible but different implementations of these ISO standards have been adopted by the European Union and the United States, respectively. The VIN comprises the following sections : Standard 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 ISO 3779 World manufacturer identifier VDS VIS European Union more than 500 vehicles / year World manufacturer identifier Indication of `` the general characteristics of the vehicle '' Indication that provides `` clear identification of a particular vehicle '' European Union 500 or fewer vehicles / year World manufacturer identifier 9 Indication of `` the general characteristics of the vehicle '' Indication that provides `` clear identification of a particular vehicle '' North America more than 2000 vehicles / year World manufacturer identifier Vehicle attributes Check digit Model year Plant code Sequential number North America 2000 or fewer vehicles / year World manufacturer identifier 9 Vehicle attributes Check digit Model year Plant code Manufacturer identifier Sequential number VIN in a GM - T - Platform body next to a passenger seat World manufacturer identifier The first three characters uniquely identify the manufacturer of the vehicle using the world manufacturer identifier or WMI code. A manufacturer who builds fewer than 1000 vehicles per year uses a 9 as the third digit, and the 12th, 13th and 14th position of the VIN for a second part of the identification. Some manufacturers use the third character as a code for a vehicle category ( e.g., bus or truck ), a division within a manufacturer, or both. For example, within 1G ( assigned to General Motors in the United States ), 1G1 represents Chevrolet passenger cars ; 1G2, Pontiac passenger cars ; and 1GC, Chevrolet trucks. The Society of Automotive Engineers ( SAE ) in the U.S. assigns WMIs to countries and manufacturers. The first character of the WMI is the region in which the manufacturer is located. In practice, each is assigned to a country of manufacture, although in Europe the country where the continental headquarters is located can assign the WMI to all vehicles produced in that region ( Example : Opel / Vauxhall cars whether produced in Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom or Poland carry a WMI of W0L because Adam Opel AG is based in Rüsselsheim, Germany ). In the notation below, assume that letters precede numbers and that zero is the last number. For example, 8X -- 82 denotes the range 8X, 8Y, 8Z, 81, 82, excluding 80. Country codes A -- H = Africa J -- R = Asia S -- Z = Europe 1 -- 5 = North America 6 -- 7 = Oceania 8 -- 9 = South America AA - AH South Africa AJ - AN Ivory Coast AP - A0 not assigned BA - BE Angola BF - BK Kenya BL - BR Tanzania BS - B0 not assigned CA - CE Benin CF - CK Madagascar CL - CR Tunisia CS - C0 not assigned DA - DE Egypt DF - DK Morocco DL - DR Zambia DS - D0 not assigned EA - EE Ethiopia EF - EK Mozambique EL - E0 not assigned FA - FE Ghana FF - FK Nigeria FL - F0 not assigned GA - G0 not assigned HA - H0 not assigned JA - J0 Japan KA - KE Sri Lanka KF - KK Israel KL - KR Korea ( South ) KS - K0 Kazakhstan LA - L0 China MA - ME India MF - MK Indonesia ML - MR Thailand MS - M0 not assigned NA - NE Iran NF - NK Pakistan NL - NR Turkey NS - N0 not assigned PA - PE Philippines PF - PK Singapore PL - PR Malaysia PS - P0 not assigned RA - RE United Arab Emirates RF - RK Taiwan RL - RR Vietnam RS - R0 Saudi Arabia SA - SM United Kingdom SN - ST East Germany SU - SZ Poland S1 - S4 Latvia S5 - S0 not assigned TA - TH Switzerland TJ - TP Czech Republic TR - TV Hungary TW - T1 Portugal T2 - T0 not assigned UA - UG not assigned UH - UM Denmark UN-UT Ireland UU - UZ Romania U1 - U4 not assigned U5 - U7 Slovakia U8 - U0 not assigned VA - VE Austria VF - VR France VS - VW Spain VX - V2 Serbia V3 - V5 Croatia V6 - V0 Estonia WA - W0 West Germany XA - XE Bulgaria XF - XK Greece XL - XR Netherlands XS - XW USSR XX - X2 Luxembourg X3 - X0 Russia YA - YE Belgium YF - YK Finland YL - YR Malta YS - YW Sweden YX - Y2 Norway Y3 - Y5 Belarus Y6 - Y0 Ukraine ZA - ZR Italy ZS - ZW not assigned ZX - Z2 Slovenia Z3 - Z5 Lithuania Z6 - Z0 not assigned 1A - 10 United States 2A - 20 Canada 3A - 37 Mexico 38 - 39 Cayman Islands 4A - 40 United States 5A - 50 United States 6A - 6W Australia 6X - 60 not assigned 7A - 7E New Zealand 7F - 70 not assigned 8A - 8E Argentina 8F - 8K Chile 8L - 8R Ecuador 8S - 8W Peru 8X - 82 Venezuela 83 - 80 not assigned 9A - 9E Brazil 9F - 9K Colombia 9L - 9R Paraguay 9S - 9W Uruguay 9X - 92 Trinidad & Tobago 93 -- 99 Brazil 90 not assigned Vehicle descriptor section The fourth to eighth positions in the VIN are the vehicle descriptor section or VDS. This is used, according to local regulations, to identify the vehicle type, and may include information on the automobile platform used, the model, and the body style. Each manufacturer has a unique system for using this field. Most manufacturers since the 1980s have used the eighth digit to identify the engine type whenever there is more than one engine choice for the vehicle. Example : for the 2007 Chevrolet Corvette, U is for a 6.0 - liter V8 engine, and E is for a 7.0 L V8. North American check digits One element that is fairly consistent is the use of position nine as a check digit, compulsory for vehicles in North America, and used fairly consistently elsewhere. Vehicle identifier section The 10th to 17th positions are used as the ' vehicle identifier section ' ( VIS ). This is used by the manufacturer to identify the individual vehicle in question. This may include information on options installed or engine and transmission choices, but often is a simple sequential number. In North America, the last five digits must be numeric. Model year encoding One consistent element of the VIS is the 10th digit, which is required worldwide to encode the model year of the vehicle. Besides the three letters that are not allowed in the VIN itself ( I, O and Q ), the letters U and Z and the digit 0 are not used for the model year code. The year code is the model year for the vehicle. The year 1980 was encoded by some manufacturers, especially General Motors and Chrysler, as `` A '' ( since the 17 - digit VIN was not mandatory until 1981, and the `` A '' or zero was in the manufacturer 's pre-1981 placement in the VIN ), yet Ford and AMC still used a zero for 1980. Subsequent years increment through the allowed letters, so that `` Y '' represents the year 2000. 2001 to 2009 are encoded as the digits 1 to 9, and subsequent years are encoded as `` A '', `` B '', `` C '', etc. Code Year Code Year Code Year Code Year Code Year Code Year A = 1980 L = Y = 2000 A = L = 2020 Y = 2030 B = 1981 M = 1991 1 = B = 2011 M = 2021 1 = 2031 C = 1982 N = 2 = 2002 C = 2012 N = 2022 2 = 2032 D = P = 3 = 2003 D = 2013 P = 2023 3 = 2033 E = 1984 R = 4 = E = 2014 R = 2024 4 = 2034 F = 1985 S = 1995 5 = 2005 F = 2015 S = 2025 5 = 2035 G = 1986 T = 6 = 2006 G = 2016 T = 2026 6 = 2036 H = V = 7 = 2007 H = 2017 V = 2027 7 = 2037 J = W = 1998 8 = 2008 J = 2018 W = 2028 8 = 2038 K = X = 1999 9 = 2009 K = 2019 X = 2029 9 = 2039 On April 30, 2008, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration adopted a final rule amending 49 CFR Part 565, `` so that the current 17 character vehicle identification number ( VIN ) system, which has been in place for almost 30 years, can continue in use for at least another 30 years '', in the process making several changes to the VIN requirements applicable to all motor vehicles manufactured for sale in the United States. There are three notable changes to the VIN structure that affect VIN deciphering systems : The make may only be identified after looking at positions one through three and another position, as determined by the manufacturer in the second section or fourth to eighth segment of the VIN. In order to identify the exact year in passenger cars and multipurpose passenger vehicles with a GVWR of 10,000 or less, one must read position 7 as well as position 10. For passenger cars, and for multipurpose passenger vehicles and trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 lb ( 4,500 kg ) or less, if position seven is numeric, the model year in position 10 of the VIN refers to a year in the range 1980 -- 2009. If position seven is alphabetic, the model year in position 10 of VIN refers to a year in the range 2010 -- 2039. The model year for vehicles with a GVWR greater than 10,000 lb ( 4,500 kg ), as well as buses, motorcycles, trailers and low - speed vehicles, may no longer be identified within a 30 - year range. VIN characters 1 -- 8 and 10 that were assigned from 1980 -- 2009 can be repeated beginning with the 2010 model year. Plant code Compulsory in North America is the use of the 11th character to identify the factory at which the vehicle was built. Each manufacturer has its own set of plant codes. Production number In the United States, the 12th to 17th digits are the vehicle 's serial or production number. This is unique to each vehicle, and every manufacturer uses its own sequence. Check - digit calculation Check - digit validation is compulsory for all road vehicles sold in North America. When trying to validate a VIN with a check digit, first either ( a ) remove the check digit for the purpose of calculation or ( b ) use a weight of zero ( see below ) to cancel it out. The original value of the check digit is then compared with the calculated value. If the calculated value is 0 -- 9, the check digit must match the calculated value. If the calculated value is 10, the check digit must be X. If the two values do not match ( and there was no error in the calculation ), then there is a mistake in the VIN. However, a match does not prove the VIN is correct, because there is still a 1 / 11 chance that any two distinct VINs have a matching check digit : for example, the valid VINs 5GZCZ43D13S812715 ( correct with leading five ) and SGZCZ43D13S812715 ( incorrect with leading character `` S '' ). The VINs in the Porsche image, WP0ZZZ99ZTS392124, and the GM - T body image, KLATF08Y1VB363636, do not pass the North American check - digit verification. Transliterating the numbers Transliteration consists of removing all of the letters, and substituting them with their appropriate numerical counterparts. These numerical alternatives ( based on IBM 's EBCDIC ) are in the following chart. I, O, and Q are not allowed in a valid VIN ; for this chart, they have been filled in with N / A ( not applicable ). Numerical digits use their own values. Transliteration key : values for VIN decoding A : 1 B : 2 C : 3 D: 4 E : 5 F : 6 G : 7 H : 8 N / A J : 1 K : 2 L : 3 M : 4 N : 5 N / A P : 7 N / A R : 9 S : 2 T : 3 U : 4 V : 5 W : 6 X : 7 Y : 8 Z : 9 S is 2, and not 1. There is no left - alignment linearity. Weights used in calculation The following is the weight factor for each position in the VIN. The 9th position is that of the check digit. It has been substituted with a 0, which will cancel it out in the multiplication step. Weight factor table Position 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Weight 8 7 6 5 10 0 9 8 7 6 5 Worked example Consider the hypothetical VIN 1M8GDM9A_KP042788, where the underscore will be the check digit. VIN 8 9 0 7 8 8 Value 8 7 9 0 7 0 7 8 8 Weight 8 7 6 5 10 0 9 8 7 6 5 Products 8 28 48 35 16 12 18 10 0 18 56 0 24 10 28 24 16 The VIN 's value is calculated from the above transliteration table. This number is used in the rest of the calculation. Copy the weights from the above weight factor table. The products row is the result of the multiplication of the vertical columns : Value and Weight. The products ( 8, 28, 48, 35... 24, 16 ) are all added together to yield a sum, 351. Find the remainder after dividing by 11 351 MOD 11 = 10 351 ÷ 11 = 31 / The remainder is the check digit. If the remainder is 10, the check digit is X. In this example, the remainder is 10, so the check digit is transliterated as X. With a check digit of X, the VIN 1M8GDM9A_KP042788 is written 1M8GDM9AXKP042788. A VIN with straight - ones ( seventeen consecutive 1s ) has the nice feature that its check digit 1 matches the calculated value 1. This is because a value of one multiplied by 89 ( sum of weights ) is 89, and 89 divided by 11 is 8 with remainder ⁄ ; thus 1 is the check digit. This is a way to test a VIN - check algorithm. Example code Java private static int transliterate ( char c ) ( return `` 0123456789. ABCDEFGH... JKLMN. P.R.. STUVWXYZ ''. indexOf ( c ) % 10 ; ) private static char getCheckDigit ( String vin ) ( String map = `` 0123456789X '' ; String weights = `` 8765432X098765432 '' ; int sum = 0 ; for ( int i = 0 ; i < 17 ; + + i ) ( sum + = transliterate ( vin. charAt ( i ) ) * map. indexOf ( weights. charAt ( i ) ) ; ) return map. charAt ( sum % 11 ) ; ) private static boolean validate ( String vin ) ( if ( vin. length ( ) ! = 17 ) return false ; return getCheckDigit ( vin ) = = vin. charAt ( 8 ) ; ) VIN scanning VINs may be optically read with barcode scanners or digital cameras, or digitally read via OBD - II in newer vehicles. There are smartphone applications that can pass the VIN to websites to decode the VIN. List of common WMI The Society of Automotive Engineers ( SAE ) assigns the WMI ( world manufacturer identifier ) to countries and manufacturers. The following list shows a small selection of world manufacturer codes. WMI Manufacturer AAV ( South Africa ) Volkswagen AHT ( South Africa ) Toyota AFA ( South Africa ) Ford CL9 ( Tunisia ) Wallyscar JA ( Japan ) Isuzu JC1 ( Japan ) Fiat Automobiles / Mazda JF ( Japan ) Fuji Heavy Industries JHL ( Japan ) Honda JHM ( Japan ) Honda JMB ( Japan ) Mitsubishi JM6 ( Japan ) Mazda JN ( Japan ) Nissan JS ( Japan ) Suzuki JT ( Japan ) Toyota JY ( Japan ) Yamaha KL ( South Korea ) Daewoo / GM Korea KMH ( South Korea ) Hyundai KN ( South Korea ) Kia KPT ( South Korea ) SsangYong L6T ( China ) Geely LBE ( China ) Beijing Hyundai LBV ( China ) BMW Brilliance LDC ( China ) Dongfeng Peugeot - Citroën LE4 ( China ) Beijing Benz LFM ( China ) FAW Toyota ( Sichuan ) LFP ( China ) FAW Car LFV ( China ) FAW - Volkswagen LGB ( China ) Dongfeng Nissan LGJ ( China ) Dongfeng Fengshen LGW ( China ) Great Wall ( Havel ) LGX ( China ) BYD Auto LH1 ( China ) FAW Haima LHG ( China ) Guangzhou Honda LJ1 ( China ) JAC LJD ( China ) Dongfeng Yueda Kia LLV ( China ) Lifan LMG ( China ) GAC Trumpchi LPA ( China ) Changan PSA ( DS Automobiles ) LS5 ( China ) Changan Suzuki LSG ( China ) SAIC General Motors LSJ ( China ) SAIC MG LSV ( China ) SAIC Volkswagen LTV ( China ) FAW Toyota ( Tianjin ) LVG ( China ) GAC Toyota LVH ( China ) Dongfeng Honda LVR ( China ) Changan Mazda LVS ( China ) Changan Ford LVV ( China ) Chery LWV ( China ) GAC Fiat LZW ( China ) SAIC GM Wuling NMT ( Turkey ) Toyota NM0 ( Turkey ) Ford Otosan PL1 ( Malaysia ) Proton SAJ ( United Kingdom ) Jaguar SAL ( United Kingdom ) Land Rover SAR ( United Kingdom ) Rover SAT ( United Kingdom ) Triumph SB1 ( United Kingdom ) Toyota SCC ( United Kingdom ) Lotus Cars SCE ( United Kingdom ) DeLorean SFD ( United Kingdom ) Alexander Dennis SHH ( United Kingdom ) Honda SHS ( United Kingdom ) Honda SJN ( United Kingdom ) Nissan TCC ( Switzerland ) Micro Compact Car AG ( SMART 1998 - 1999 ) TMA ( Czech Republic ) Hyundai TMB ( Czech Republic ) Škoda TRU ( Hungary ) Audi TSM ( Hungary ) Suzuki U5Y ( Slovakia ) Kia UU ( Romania ) Dacia VA0 ( Austria ) ÖAF VF1 ( France ) Renault VF2 ( France ) Renault VF3 ( France ) Peugeot VF4 ( France ) Talbot VF5 ( France ) Iveco Unic SA VF6 ( France ) Renault Trucks / Volvo VF7 ( France ) Citroën VF8 ( France ) Matra / Talbot / Simca VF9 ( France ) Bugatti VFE ( France ) IvecoBus VNK ( France ) Toyota VSS ( Spain ) SEAT VV9 ( Spain ) Tauro Sport Auto WAG ( Germany ) Neoplan WAU ( Germany ) Audi WAP ( Germany ) Alpina WBA ( Germany ) BMW WBS ( Germany ) BMW M WBX ( Germany ) BMW WDB ( Germany ) Mercedes - Benz WDC, WDD, WMX ( Germany ) DaimlerChrysler AG / Daimler AG WEB ( Germany ) EvoBus WF0 ( Germany ) Ford of Europe WJM ( Germany ) Iveco WJR ( Germany ) Irmscher WKK ( Germany ) Karl Kässbohrer Fahrzeugwerke WMA ( Germany ) MAN WME ( Germany ) Smart WMW ( Germany ) Mini WP0 ( Germany ) Porsche car WP1 ( Germany ) Porsche SUV WUA ( Germany ) Quattro WVG ( Germany ) Volkswagen WVW ( Germany ) Volkswagen WV1 ( Germany ) Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles WV2 ( Germany ) Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles W0L ( Germany ) Opel / Vauxhall W0SV ( Germany ) Opel Special Vehicles XLR ( Netherlands ) DAF Trucks YK1 ( Finland ) Saab YS2 ( Sweden ) Scania, Södertälje YS3 ( Sweden ) Saab YS4 ( Sweden ) Scania, Katrineholm YTN ( Sweden ) Saab NEVS YV1 ( Sweden ) Volvo Cars YV2 ( Sweden ) Volvo Trucks YV3 ( Sweden ) Volvo Buses ZA9 ( Italy ) Bugatti ZAM ( Italy ) Maserati ZAR ( Italy ) Alfa Romeo ZCF ( Italy ) Iveco ZFA ( Italy ) Fiat Automobiles ZFF ( Italy ) Ferrari ZGA ( Italy ) IvecoBus ZHW ( Italy ) Lamborghini ZLA ( Italy ) Lancia 1B ( United States ) Dodge 1C ( United States ) Chrysler 1F ( United States ) Ford 1G ( United States ) General Motors 1G1 ( United States ) Chevrolet 1G3 ( United States ) Oldsmobile 1G9 ( United States ) Google 1GC ( United States ) Chevrolet 1GM ( United States ) Pontiac 1HG ( United States ) Honda 1J ( United States ) Jeep 1L ( United States ) Lincoln 1M ( United States ) Mercury 1N ( United States ) Nissan 1VW ( United States ) Volkswagen 1YV ( United States ) Mazda 2DG ( Canada ) Ontario Drive & Gear 2F ( Canada ) Ford 2G ( Canada ) General Motors 2G1 ( Canada ) Chevrolet 2G2 ( Canada ) Pontiac 2HG ( Canada ) Honda 2HH ( Canada ) Acura 2HJ ( Canada ) Honda 2HK ( Canada ) Honda 2HM ( Canada ) Hyundai 2M ( Canada ) Mercury 2T ( Canada ) Toyota 3F ( Mexico ) Ford 3G ( Mexico ) General Motors 3HG ( Mexico ) Honda 3HM ( Mexico ) Honda 3KP ( Mexico ) Kia 3N ( Mexico ) Nissan 3VW ( Mexico ) Volkswagen 4F ( United States ) Mazda 4J ( United States ) Mercedes - Benz 4M ( United States ) Mercury 4S3 ( United States ) Subaru 4S4 ( United States ) Subaru 4S6 ( United States ) Honda 4T ( United States ) Toyota 4US ( United States ) BMW 5FN ( United States ) Honda 5J6 ( United States ) Honda 5L ( United States ) Lincoln 5N ( United States ) Hyundai 5T ( United States ) Toyota 5X ( United States ) Hyundai / Kia 5YJ ( United States ) Tesla 55 ( United States ) Mercedes - Benz 6F ( Australia ) Ford 6G ( Australia ) General Motors 6G1 ( Australia ) Chevrolet 6G2 ( Australia ) Pontiac 6H ( Australia ) Holden 6MM ( Australia ) Mitsubishi 6T1 ( Australia ) Toyota 7A3 ( New Zealand ) Honda 8AP ( Argentina ) Fiat 8AF ( Argentina ) Ford 8AG ( Argentina ) General Motors 8AW ( Argentina ) Volkswagen 8AJ ( Argentina ) Toyota 8A1 ( Argentina ) Renault 8AC ( Argentina ) Mercedes Benz 8BC ( Argentina ) Citroën 8AD ( Argentina ) Peugeot 8C3 ( Argentina ) Honda 8AT ( Argentina ) Iveco 9BD ( Brazil ) Fiat Automóveis 9BG ( Brazil ) General Motors 9BW ( Brazil ) Volkswagen 9BF ( Brazil ) Ford 93H ( Brazil ) Honda 9BR ( Brazil ) Toyota 936 ( Brazil ) Peugeot 935 ( Brazil ) Citroën 93Y ( Brazil ) Renault 93X ( Brazil ) Souza Ramos - Mitsubishi / Suzuki 9BH ( Brazil ) Hyundai Motor Company / Hyundai 95P ( Brazil ) CAOA / Hyundai 94D ( Brazil ) Nissan 98R ( Brazil ) Chery 988 ( Brazil ) Jeep 98M ( Brazil ) BMW 9BM ( Brazil ) Mercedes Benz 99A ( Brazil ) Audi 99J ( Brazil ) JLR Jaguar Land Rover 9C2 ( Brazil ) Honda Motorcycles 9C6 ( Brazil ) Yamaha 9CD ( Brazil ) Suzuki Motorcycles 93W ( Brazil ) Fiat Professional 93Z ( Brazil ) Iveco 953 ( Brazil ) VW Trucks / MAN 9BS ( Brazil ) Scania 9BV ( Brazil ) Volvo Trucks 9UJ ( Uruguay ) Chery 9UK ( Uruguay ) Lifan 9UW ( Uruguay ) Kia See also Builder 's plate Danish bicycle VIN - system Engine number Name plate Serial number VIN etching RPO Code References ^ Jump up to : `` Vehicle Identification Numbers ( VINs ) ''. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ( NHTSA ). Retrieved 2011 - 07 - 24. Jump up ^ `` eCFR -- Code of Federal Regulations -- Title 49 : Transportation -- PART 565 -- VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ( VIN ) REQUIREMENTS ''. www.ecfr.gov. Retrieved 2013 - 04 - 09. Jump up ^ `` ComLaw Legislative Instruments -- Vehicle Standard ( Australian Design Rule 61 / 02 -- Vehicle Marking ) 2005 ( ADR 61 / 02 ) ''. Comlaw.gov.au. Retrieved 2010 - 09 - 27. Jump up ^ ISO 3779 : 2009 Road vehicles -- Vehicle identification number ( VIN ) -- Content and structure Jump up ^ ISO 3780 : 2009 Road vehicles -- World manufacturer identifier ( WMI ) code Jump up ^ `` United States Federal VIN Requirements ( Title 49, Chapter V, Part 565 ) ''. Access.gpo.gov. Retrieved 2010 - 09 - 27. ^ Jump up to : `` Directive 76 / 114 / EEC - Automotive - Enterprise and Industry ''. European Commission. Retrieved 2013 - 07 - 08. ^ Jump up to : `` ISO 3780 : 2009 Road vehicles -- World manufacturer identifier ( WMI ) code ''. ISO. 2009 - 10 - 05. Retrieved 2010 - 09 - 27. External links Wikibooks has a book on the topic of : Vehicle Identification Numbers ( VIN codes ) Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vehicle Identification Number. ISO 3779 : 2009 FMVSS 115, Part 565 VIN entry in the National Transportation Library FAQ Automotive design Part of a series of articles on cars Body Framework Car platform Backbone chassis Beltline Body - on - frame Bumper Cabrio coach Chassis Continental tire Crumple zone Dagmar bumpers Fender Fender skirts Grille Hood Hood scoop Monocoque Overhang Pillar Pontoon fenders Quarter panel Roof rack Shaker scoop Spoiler Stressed member engine Subframe Tonneau Trunk lid Compartments Trunk / boot / dickie Hood / bonnet Doors Butterfly doors Gull - wing door Scissor doors Sliding door Suicide door Vehicle canopy Glass Greenhouse Power window Quarter glass Opera window Sunroof Windshield / windscreen Windshield / windscreen wiper Other elements Bumper sticker Curb feeler Front - end bra Hood ornament Japan black Nerf bar Omniview technology Run - flat tire Spare tire Tire / tyre Tow hitch Truck accessory Window deflector Geometry Approach and departure angles Breakover angle Overhang Ride height Roll center Turning radius Weight distribution Exterior equipment Lighting Daytime running lamp Headlamp sealed beam high - intensity discharge lamp Hidden headlamps Turn signals trafficators Rear position lamps Stop lamps Reversing lamps Safety reflector retroreflector Other elements Vehicle horn Vehicle registration plate vanity plate Windshield / windscreen washer fluid Wing mirror power side - view mirror Legal Motor vehicle theft Vehicle identification number Commons Portal Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vehicle_identification_number&oldid=804143626 '' Categories : Automotive technologies Classification systems 1981 introductions Vehicle security systems Country codes Hidden categories : Articles needing cleanup from August 2017 All pages needing cleanup Cleanup tagged articles with a reason field from August 2017 Wikipedia pages needing cleanup from August 2017 All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from May 2017 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Български Čeština Dansk Deutsch Español فارسی Français Հայերեն Italiano Latviešu Lietuvių Magyar Монгол Nederlands 日本 語 Polski Português Русский Suomi Svenska Українська Tiếng Việt 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 7 October 2017, at 01 : 25. 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Question: what's the vin number on a car
Answer: A vehicle identification number (VIN) is a unique code, including a serial number, used by the automotive industry to identify individual motor vehicles, towed vehicles, motorcycles, scooters and mopeds, as defined in ISO 3833