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The ultimate car VIN number guide
By David Maillie
Every car that has been made and imported into the U.S. in the past 30 years has a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).These numbers personally identify your car and can give a lot of information.99% of people have no idea what the VIN number is or what it means.The VIN number is a permanent part of the car and is also on items such as the frame, engine and even in the door jams.It contains a lot of useful information in its 17 digits (standardized in the early 1980’s):
The first three numbers will identify the manufacturer like Honda, GM, Ford, etc…Each has its own unique identifier.Some even use the 3rd digit to differentiate between major models like the Chevy Malibu and Impala.
The fourth through ninth numbers will give particular vehicle attributes and characteristics.The ninth number is just a check number which was used to figure correct numbers for VIN’s.With the advent of computers, DMV title and VIN checks and, of course, CarFax online VIN checks there is no need to do the math to figure out if a VIN number is valid.
The 10th digit which can be either a letter or number is actually the most important to most car purchasers and buyers.It’s the one that determines the exact age of the car.It will tell the year the car was built.This is exactly what it means:
Code: Year: S 1995 T 1996 V 1997 W 1998 X 1999 Y 2000 1 2001 2 2002 3 2003 4 2004 5 2005 6 2006 7 2007 8 2008 9 2009 and so on....
The rest of the numbers from digit 11 to 17 are the descriptive numbers and tell of the exact model, equipment package levels and trim, and where it was manufactured.This will tell you if it was originally a loaded up model or a lower model with after market accessories.Any dealer added accessories or aftermarket accessories will not be included in these numbers as this is only for manufacturer vehicle added attributes.
So that is what is inside the VIN number of your car.Its important information, if not for you, then to others…Just like with social security cards and other personally identifiable information, these numbers are becoming much more important.Savvy thieves are stealing cars nowadays by using the VIN number.Yes, all they need to do is get the VIN off your car and go to a franchised car dealer with a fake title (the only proof of ownership the car dealer will ask for if that) and they can walk out in 15 minutes with a fresh cut key that will both unlock and start up your car.They no longer need to break into your car.Now they can just walk right up to it like they own it and drive off without anyone ever knowing its being stolen.
To best avoid this place a dark card or similar over the lower right area of the dashboard and windshield where the VIN number emblem or badge is.This one little step will most likely make them just walk right on to the next easy target.The more you know the better off you will be.You can also use the above information to find out the real age of any car (sometimes car dealers and their staff or private sellers don’t know the exact age of their car and this can greatly affect the price).Bill collectors and skip tracers can also use this information to determine someone’s whereabouts.Its amazing how important a VIN number is and what one can get with it.
