A Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN, is a unique 17-character code given to every car and light truck built since 1981. No two vehicles share the same VIN. It works like a fingerprint for your car, and the chart above shows what each part of it means.
What Each Digit in a VIN Means
- Digit 1 – Country of manufacture: where the vehicle was built. For example, 1, 4 and 5 mean the United States, 2 is Canada, 3 is Mexico, J is Japan, K is South Korea and W is Germany.
- Digits 2–3 – Manufacturer: together with the first digit, these form the World Manufacturer Identifier, which shows the brand and the division that built the car.
- Digits 4–8 – Vehicle descriptor: the model, body style, restraint system, transmission and engine type.
- Digit 9 – Check digit: a security code calculated from the other digits. It helps detect fake or mistyped VINs.
- Digit 10 – Model year: a letter or number for the year. For example, L is 2020, M is 2021, N is 2022, P is 2023, R is 2024, S is 2025 and T is 2026.
- Digit 11 – Assembly plant: the factory where the vehicle was put together.
- Digits 12–17 – Serial number: the unique production number for that vehicle.
VINs never use the letters I, O or Q, so they cannot be confused with the numbers 1 and 0.
Where to Find Your VIN
- On the dashboard on the driver's side, visible through the bottom of the windshield
- On the sticker inside the driver's door jamb
- On your vehicle registration, title and insurance card
Why Your VIN Matters for Collision Repair
When you bring your car to Regal Repair, your VIN is one of the first things we check. It helps us:
- Order the correct parts. The same model can use different bumpers, lights and sensors depending on trim and build date.
- Find the right repair procedures. Automakers publish repair steps by VIN-specific build details.
- Check for open recalls. You can look up your VIN on NHTSA's recall site, and we can check it too.
- Process your insurance claim. Insurers use the VIN to match your car to your policy and estimate.
Need Help With Your Vehicle?
Have your VIN ready when you request a free repair estimate or book an appointment. You can also call our North Hollywood shop at (818) 505-1442.
