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Check the dashboard plate for the VIN number.sixteen image by catherine PERARNAUD from Fotolia.com
Locate the VIN. The VIN appears may appear on a dashboard plate, inside the door frame, or the "A" pillar next to the windshield. The title and registration number also record the information. - 2
The first character corresponds to country.globe image by Christopher Meder from Fotolia.com
Decode the country code. The first digit or letter corresponds with the manufacturing country. VINs of cars manufactured in the United States begin with a 1 or 4. Canadian cars begin with 2, or you will see a 3 for cars manufactured in Mexico. Other countries of origin include England (S), Germany (W), Japan (J), Korea (K) and Italy (Z). - 3
VINs for Ford vehicles have an "F" in the second position.New Ford Fiesta image by zimous from Fotolia.com
Identify the manufacturer. A letter typically sits in the second position of the VIN. Just like each country, each maker has an assigned code. For example, General Motors uses G; F means Ford and B stands for BMW. Do not assume the letter always corresponds with the first letter of the company name, as new manufacturers with similar initials emerge and others merge. - 4). Note the third character. Each manufacturer chooses numbers to designate its different divisions, and numbers often duplicate those of different makers. Refer to the second character to guide you. Examples of divisions include Lincoln or the Ford Truck Division within the Ford Motor Company.
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The engine type appears in the VIN.engine image by peter Hires Images from Fotolia.com
Consult an individual model's VIN chart to see that digits three through eight always express the features of the vehicle. The first character in the sequence corresponds to the body style, such as coupe or sedan. The others refer to features such as engine type and trim package. The digits used vary by manufacturer. - 6). Use the year 1971, 1980 or 2001 as a starting point for interpreting the tenth character, or year digit. VINs of automobiles manufactured for model years 1971 and 2001 will have a "1" in this position, and the model year 1980 uses the letter "A." The following years number 2 through 9. VINs for 1980 through 2000 and 2010 through 2019 use the alphabet, omitting O, I, Q, and Z.
- 7). Pay special attention to the last five characters. The numbers are sequential, and refer to the production process. For example, if your car's VIN ends in 3, the VIN of the next car to roll off the assembly after yours will end in 4.
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