Every vehicle built since 1981 carries a unique Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), a 17-character code that tells you important information about the vehicle, such as the manufacturer, assembly plant, engine type, and most importantly, the model year.
The Year to VIN chart helps you determine the year of manufacture by looking at the 10th character of the VIN. Whether you’re dealing with cars, trucks, motorcycles, or SUVs, this chart simplifies the process of identifying the vehicle’s model year accurately.
Year to VIN Chart
| VIN Character | Model Year | VIN Character | Model Year | VIN Character | Model Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1980 | A | 2010 | A | 2040 |
| B | 1981 | B | 2011 | B | 2041 |
| C | 1982 | C | 2012 | C | 2042 |
| D | 1983 | D | 2013 | D | 2043 |
| E | 1984 | E | 2014 | E | 2044 |
| F | 1985 | F | 2015 | F | 2045 |
| G | 1986 | G | 2016 | G | 2046 |
| H | 1987 | H | 2017 | H | 2047 |
| J | 1988 | J | 2018 | J | 2048 |
| K | 1989 | K | 2019 | K | 2049 |
| L | 1990 | L | 2020 | L | 2050 |
| M | 1991 | M | 2021 | M | 2051 |
| N | 1992 | N | 2022 | N | 2052 |
| P | 1993 | P | 2023 | P | 2053 |
| R | 1994 | R | 2024 | R | 2054 |
| S | 1995 | S | 2025 | S | 2055 |
| T | 1996 | T | 2026 | T | 2056 |
| V | 1997 | V | 2027 | V | 2057 |
| W | 1998 | W | 2028 | W | 2058 |
| X | 1999 | X | 2029 | X | 2059 |
| Y | 2000 | Y | 2030 | Y | 2060 |
| 1 | 2001 | 1 | 2031 | 1 | 2061 |
| 2 | 2002 | 2 | 2032 | 2 | 2062 |
| 3 | 2003 | 3 | 2033 | 3 | 2063 |
| 4 | 2004 | 4 | 2034 | 4 | 2064 |
| 5 | 2005 | 5 | 2035 | 5 | 2065 |
| 6 | 2006 | 6 | 2036 | 6 | 2066 |
| 7 | 2007 | 7 | 2037 | 7 | 2067 |
| 8 | 2008 | 8 | 2038 | 8 | 2068 |
| 9 | 2009 | 9 | 2039 | 9 | 2069 |
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How to Read the Model Year from VIN
To find the model year of your vehicle:
- Locate the VIN: It’s usually found on the driver’s side dashboard near the windshield, or inside the driver’s door frame.
- Count the 10th character: Identify the 10th character from the left.
- Match it to the Year-to-VIN Chart: Use the table above to find the corresponding model year.
Example:
If your VIN is 1HGCM82633A123456, the 10th character is A, which means the vehicle is a 2010 model.
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Why VIN Year Codes Matter
Understanding the VIN year code is crucial for various reasons:
1. Buying or Selling Vehicles
Buyers can verify that the vehicle’s advertised model year matches the actual manufacturing data. Sellers can ensure transparency in listings.
2. Insurance and Registration
Insurance companies and DMV offices use VINs to confirm a vehicle’s year before issuing policies or titles.
3. Parts Replacement
Auto parts stores use VINs to find compatible components. Knowing the exact year prevents installation of wrong parts.
4. Recalls and Service Bulletins
Manufacturers issue recalls and technical service bulletins based on model years. The VIN confirms if your car is affected.
5. Theft Prevention
VIN decoding helps law enforcement identify stolen or cloned vehicles.
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Understanding VIN Year Code Cycles
VIN codes repeat every 30 years, meaning:
- A VIN code A could mean 1980, 2010, or 2040.
- To differentiate, check the vehicle’s make, model style, and design or confirm via production records or registration details.
For example:
- A 1980s VIN usually begins with older manufacturer codes.
- A 2010 VIN would use modern WMI prefixes and may include electronic safety codes not present in earlier versions.
What is a VIN?
A VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a unique alphanumeric code assigned to every motor vehicle when it’s manufactured. It acts like a vehicle’s fingerprint, no two vehicles have the same VIN.
VINs consist of 17 characters divided into three sections:
- WMI (World Manufacturer Identifier): Characters 1–3 – identify the manufacturer and country.
- VDS (Vehicle Descriptor Section): Characters 4–8 – describe the model, body type, restraint system, transmission type, and engine code.
- VIS (Vehicle Identifier Section): Characters 9–17 – include a check digit, plant code, and the sequential production number.
The 10th character in the VIN specifically represents the model year.
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Quick Reference VIN Year Decoder (1980–2025)
| VIN 10th Character | Model Year |
|---|---|
| A | 1980, 2010, 2040 |
| B | 1981, 2011, 2041 |
| C | 1982, 2012, 2042 |
| D | 1983, 2013, 2043 |
| E | 1984, 2014, 2044 |
| F | 1985, 2015, 2045 |
| G | 1986, 2016, 2046 |
| H | 1987, 2017, 2047 |
| J | 1988, 2018, 2048 |
| K | 1989, 2019, 2049 |
| L | 1990, 2020, 2050 |
| M | 1991, 2021, 2051 |
| N | 1992, 2022, 2052 |
| P | 1993, 2023, 2053 |
| R | 1994, 2024, 2054 |
| S | 1995, 2025, 2055 |
| T | 1996, 2026, 2056 |
| V | 1997, 2027, 2057 |
| W | 1998, 2028, 2058 |
| X | 1999, 2029, 2059 |
| Y | 2000, 2030, 2060 |
| 1 | 2001 |
| 2 | 2002 |
| 3 | 2003 |
| 4 | 2004 |
| 5 | 2005 |
| 6 | 2006 |
| 7 | 2007 |
| 8 | 2008 |
| 9 | 2009 |
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How to Double-Check a VIN Year
Even though the Year to VIN chart provides a clear guide, always confirm the model year through:
- Manufacturer’s sticker (inside driver’s door frame)
- Registration documents
- Title papers
- Online VIN decoders (official or OEM tools)
These sources cross-reference more details, like the production plant and serial number, for complete accuracy.
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Common Mistakes When Reading VINs
- Miscounting Characters:
- Always ensure you’re reading the 10th character, not the 9th or 11th.
- Confusing Letters and Numbers:
- Avoid mixing “O” with “0”, or “I” with “1”, these are excluded from VINs to prevent mistakes.
- Using Old 13- or 14-character VINs:
- Vehicles before 1981 had shorter VINs that didn’t follow this standardized chart.
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Final Thoughts
The Year to VIN chart is a simple yet powerful tool for quickly identifying a vehicle’s model year. Whether you’re buying a used car, registering your vehicle, or checking for recalls, decoding the VIN ensures you have accurate information at your fingertips.
Always remember:
- Look for the 10th character in the VIN.
- Match it with the chart above.
- Confirm through official records for absolute accuracy.
By mastering VIN decoding, you can save time, avoid scams, and make informed decisions every time you deal with a vehicle.
