Home Photos Unlock Your Car’s Identity- How to Determine Year and Model with a VIN Number

Unlock Your Car’s Identity- How to Determine Year and Model with a VIN Number

by liuqiyue

How to Check Car Year Model Using VIN Number

When purchasing a used car, it’s crucial to gather as much information as possible to ensure you’re making an informed decision. One of the most valuable pieces of information you can obtain is the car’s year and model. This can help you understand the vehicle’s age, performance, and potential maintenance needs. The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique code that can provide this information. In this article, we’ll guide you on how to check car year model using VIN number.

What is a VIN?

A VIN is a 17-character code that identifies a specific vehicle. It’s typically located on the driver’s side dashboard, the door jamb, or the vehicle’s title. The VIN contains a wealth of information about the car, including its year, make, model, engine type, and more. By decoding the VIN, you can easily determine the car’s year and model.

How to Decode a VIN

1. Find the VIN: As mentioned earlier, the VIN is usually located on the driver’s side dashboard, the door jamb, or the vehicle’s title. Take a clear photo of the VIN for reference.

2. Identify the VIN format: VINs are formatted in a specific order. The first three characters represent the world manufacturer identifier (WMI), the next six characters represent the vehicle descriptor section (VDS), and the last eight characters represent the vehicle identification section (VIS).

3. Decode the WMI: The first three characters of the VIN are the WMI. They indicate the manufacturer, country of origin, and vehicle type. You can find a list of WMI codes and their meanings online.

4. Decode the VDS: The next six characters of the VIN are the VDS. They provide information about the vehicle’s body style, engine type, and transmission. You can find a list of VDS codes and their meanings online.

5. Decode the VIS: The last eight characters of the VIN are the VIS. The first six characters represent the model year, make, and body style. The last two characters are a check digit used to verify the VIN’s accuracy.

How to Check Car Year Model Using VIN Number

Now that you know how to decode a VIN, you can easily determine the car’s year and model. Here’s how:

1. Look at the first six characters of the VIS: These characters represent the model year, make, and body style. For example, “WDB” could represent a Mercedes-Benz W203 series, which was produced from 2000 to 2005.

2. Look at the 10th character of the VIN: This character represents the model year. You can find a list of VIN model year codes online to determine the exact year the car was manufactured.

3. Look at the 11th character of the VIN: This character represents the make. You can find a list of VIN make codes online to determine the car’s make.

4. Look at the 12th character of the VIN: This character represents the body style. You can find a list of VIN body style codes online to determine the car’s body style.

By following these steps, you can easily check the car year model using the VIN number. This information will help you make a more informed decision when purchasing a used car.

Conclusion

Checking the car year model using the VIN number is a simple and effective way to gather important information about a used vehicle. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure that you’re making an informed decision when purchasing a car. Always remember to verify the VIN’s accuracy and consult with a professional if you’re unsure about the information you’ve found.

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