Can The VIN Number Tell Me The Model?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Can the VIN number tell me the model? The VIN number tells you when and where the car was built.

It tells you the manufacturer, year, make and model

, and the trim level including unique features and specifications. Your car’s VIN number can be used to track recalls, registrations, warranty claims, thefts and insurance coverage.

What part of the VIN tells you the model?


The fourth digit

gives details of the car’s model-specific features, such as additional safety information. This represents the exact series of a specific model, usually shown by a letter. Convertible, saloon or hatchback; the 6

th

and 7

th

digits show the car’s body style and type.

How do I find what model car I have?

The back of your car should have the manufacturer’s name on one side and the model on the other side. Plus, the car maker’s logo is usually on the front and back of your car.

The make and model of the vehicle is usually located on the cover of the owner’s manual

. Or, it can be found within its first few pages.

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 you tell the year model by the VIN?

The following information about vehicle identification numbers (VIN) affixed to the chassis will help determine the vehicle year. As noted, the vehicle’s year is identified by a letter or number in the 10th position from the left in the VIN. As shown above,

the 10th character of the VIN indicates its model year

.

How do I find out what year model my car is?

A vehicle’s Model Year is

categorically defined by the 10th digit of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

, and simply indicates any manufacturer-specified evolution in mid-cycle of a model range – such as new engine or transmission introductions, revised trim options or any other minor specification changes.

What does the 8th number in a VIN mean?

Digits in position 4 through 9 make up the Vehicle Description Section (VDS). The fourth through eighth digits

describe your vehicle’s model, body type, restraint system, transmission type, and engine code

.

What does a VIN number tell you?

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 is the car make and model?


A car’s make is the brand of the vehicle, while the model refers to the name of a car product and sometimes a range of products

. For example, Toyota is a car make and Camry is a car model. The make, model, model year, body style and trim level all have implications on the cost of a vehicle and its insurance rates.

How do you decode a VIN?

  1. Digits 1 through 3 combined is the WMI, (World Manufacturer Identifier).
  2. Digits 4 through 8 represent the vehicle descriptor section.
  3. Digit 9 is a check digit.
  4. Digits 10 through 17 is the Vehicle Identifier Section.
  5. The 11th digit is the manufacturer’s plant code.

What is the best free VIN check website?

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. But you should use more than one of these sites to get the full picture.

What do the first 3 digits of a VIN mean?

The first group of three numbers and letters in a VIN make up the world manufacturer identifier (WMI). In this group, the first digit or letter

identifies the country of origin

. For example, cars made in the U.S. start with 1, 4 or 5. Canada is 2, and Mexico is 3.

What year is K in a VIN number?

Code Years J 1988, 2018 K

1989, 2019
L 1990, 2020 M 1991, 2021

What does the 10th VIN number mean?

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.

What do the 12th 17th characters in a VIN stand for?

In the United States and China, 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.

What does the 2nd character in a VIN stand for?

There actually is a breakdown of what each number and letter in a VIN means, so going in order by characters: 1st tells where the car was built, 2nd and 3rd

identify the manufacturer

, From 4th to 8th tell the brand, engine size and type, 9th is a security code.

Which character in a VIN code tells you the manufacturer of that vehicle?

Decoding your VIN

The first character tells you where in the world the vehicle was built. It tells you the country of origin.

The second character

denote the manufacturer. The third character tells you the vehicle type or division.

What can you do with a VIN number?

VIN numbers can

display a car’s features, specifications, and manufacturer

. You can also use it to track safety recalls, registration histories, liens, claims, thefts, and insurance coverages. You can find your VIN number in a couple of different places.

Is Ford the make or model?


A car’s ‘Make’ is the automaker or the brand

, such as Ford, Buick, Jeep, or BMW. The ‘Model’ refers to a specific vehicle manufactured by that automaker like the Camry, Malibu, or Fusion. While these terms get used frequently in the automobile industry, there is more to them than just names.

What is a series model of a car?

Report Ad. In some car models, the year of release or model year is also included. This is often used to distinguish one car model from another in a car series, since

car manufacturers tend to release the same design as a car series under one name but with different years

.

How many different makes and models of cars are there?

There’s a world of choice in today’s car market, what with

more than 400

different models and many car types available. Making sense of it all can be difficult.

Can I lookup a VIN number online?

If you’re curious or need to access the information that your VIN provides, you can do a VIN check. To do so, Vin Check says you should simply

search for a VIN decoder online and enter your VIN there

.

Is CARFAX VIN lookup free?

Ways to Get a Free VIN Check With CARFAX


Using CARFAX Used Car Listings is the only way to get a free, complete CARFAX Report

. You can also take advantage of CARFAX data to find cars that are reported accident-free, have only one owner, and more.

Is there a free version of CARFAX?


A free CARFAX report is also available through many dealer websites

. As you browse a dealer’s used car inventory, look for links to free CARFAX Reports. If a link is unavailable, contact the dealer and ask them for the CARFAX Report. Free CARFAX Reports are available at many car dealerships in your area.

What does 7 mean in VIN?

If the 7th VIN position is a letter, then

your vehicle is made in 2010 through 2039

. If the 7th VIN is a number, then your vehicle is made prior to 2010.

What does the 4th digit in a VIN number mean?

Digits “four” through “eight” are called the “Attributes” of the VIN. They include information like safety, engine size, body style, and vehicle series. 4th Digit: The 4th digit is

safety, braking and suspension

.

What does the 9th digit in a VIN number mean?

The 9th digit is reserved for the

check digit

. The check digit, found in position 9 of the VIN and compulsory for vehicles in North America, is used to validate a VIN. This is helpful for computers to immediately tell if there is an error or issue with the VIN.

What does the 10th digit of a VIN mean?

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.

What each digit means in a VIN?

How do I decode my VIN number?

  1. The first character tells you where in the world the vehicle was built. …
  2. The second character denote the manufacturer.
  3. The third character tells you the vehicle type or division.
  4. The fourth through the eighth characters tell you the vehicle brand, body style, engine size and type, model, and series.

What does the 9th digit in a VIN number mean?

Number 9 is the

check digit, which is used to detect invalid VINs

. The number that appears varies and is based on a mathematical formula that the U.S. Department of Transportation developed.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.