VIN Decoding Explained: How to Read Your Vehicle Identification Number

What Is a VIN?

A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a 17-character alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies every motor vehicle. Introduced in 1981 under ISO 3779, it encodes the manufacturer, vehicle specifications, and production sequence into a standardized format.

You can find it:

• Driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield)
• Inside the driver's door jamb
• On the vehicle title and registration documents

Breaking Down the 17 Characters

W D B 2 2 0 1 6 1 B A 0 0 1 2 3 4
│ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │
│ │ │ └─────────────┘ │ └─────────┘
│ └─┘       │         │      │
│  │     Vehicle      │  Production
│  │   Descriptor     │   Sequence
│  │   (positions    Check   Number
│Manufacturer  4–8)   Digit  (pos 10–17)
│(positions 1–3)     (pos 9)
└─ World Manufacturer Identifier