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Like all of my other charts/diagrams/data sheets, this one is a compilation of many different sources. So you won't see anything this detailed in another place.
Mods, please move this where you think it belongs and would be most beneficial. It wouldn't hurt to have a link in the FAQ.
3rd Character: Body Type & Transmission
A = 2 Door, 4 Speed Manual
B = 2 Door, 2 Speed Automatic
C = 3 Door, 4 Speed Manual
D = 3 Door, 2 Speed Automatic
E = 3 Door, 5 Speed Manual
F = 2 Door, 5 Speed Manual
G = 3 Door LX, 2 Speed Automatic
H = 3 Door LX, 5 Speed Manual
J = 4 Door, 5 Speed Manual
K = 4 Door, 2 Speed Automatic
4th Character: Generation Year of Model
1 = First
2 = Second
3 = Third
4 = Fourth
5 = Fifth
6 = Sixth
7 = Seventh
5th through 10th Characters: Serial Number
000001+
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN, 1981+)
====================
The first three characters uniquely identify the manufacturer of the vehicle using the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) code. There are 2 methods for determining the WMI.
WMI Method 1:
1st Character: Country of Origin
A = South Africa, Ivory Coast
B = Angola, Kenya, Tanzania
C = Benin, Madagascar, Tunisia
D = Egypt, Morocco, Zambia
E = Ethiopia, Mozambique
F = Ghana, Nigeria
J = Japan
K = Sri Lanka, Israel, South Korea
L = China
M = India, Indonesia, Thailand
N = Pakistan, Turkey
P = Phillipines, Singapore, Malaysia
R = United Arab Emirates, Taiwan, Vietnam
S = Great Britain, Germany, Poland
T = Switzerland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Portugal
U = Denmark, Ireland, Romania, Slovakia
V = Austria, France, Spain, Yugoslavia, Croatia, Estonia
W = Germany
X = Bulgaria, Greece, Netherlands, Russia, Luxembourg
Y = Belgium, Finland, Malta, Sweden, Norway, Belarus, Ukraine
Z = Italy, Slovenia, Lithuania
1 = USA
2 = Canada
3 = Mexico, Costa Rica, Cayman Islands
4 = USA
5 = USA
6 = Australia
7 = New Zealand
8 = Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela
9 = Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Trinidad & Tobago
2nd Character: Make/Manufacturer
A = Audi, Jaguar
B = BMW, Dodge
C = Chrysler
D = Mercedes
G = General Motors
H = Honda
L = Lincoln
M = Mercury
N = Nissan
P = Plymouth
T = Toyota
V = Volvo, VW
1 = Chevrolet
2 = Pontiac
3 = Oldsmobile
4 = Buick
5 = Pontiac
6 = Cadillac
7 = General Motors (Canada)
8 = Saturn
Some manufacturers use the third character as a code for a vehicle category (e.g., bus or truck), a division within a manufacturer, or both.
3rd Character: Vehicle Type
F = Honda Motorcycle, Built in USA
G = Honda Passenger Vehicle, Built in USA/Canada/Mexico/China
H = Acura Passenger Vehicle, Built in Canada
H = Honda Passenger Vehicle, Built in UK
J = Honda Light Duty Truck, Built in Canada
K = Honda Multi-purpose passenger vehicle, Built in Canada
L = Honda Multi-purpose passenger vehicle, Built in Japan
M = Honda Passenger Vehicle, Built in Japan
N = Honda Multi-purpose passenger vehicle, Built in USA
N = Acura Multi-purpose passenger vehicle, Built in Canada
P = Honda Light Duty Truck, Built in USA
R = Honda Passenger Vehicle, Built in Indonesia
S = Honda Passenger Vehicle, Built in UK
1 = Honda Motorcycle, Built in Mexico
2 = Honda Motorcycle, Built in Japan
3 = Honda ATV, Built in Japan
4 = Acura Passenger Vehicle, Built in Japan
WMI Method 2: The first character still represents the country of origin. The second character no longer represents the Make/Manufacturer, and the third character no longer represents the vehicle type. Instead, the second and third characters are combined with the first character to make a generic code.
The 4th through 9th characters in the VIN are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS). This is used, according to local regulations, to identify the vehicle type and may include information on the platform used, the model, and the body style. Each manufacturer has a unique system for using this field. Most manufacturers since the 1980s have used the 8th digit to identify the engine type whenever there is more than one engine choice for the vehicle.
7th Character: Body Type (1981-1986)
2 = 2-door Coupe
3 = 3-door Hatchback
4 = 4-door Sedan
5 = 5-door Wagon
7th Character: Body Type & Transmission (1987-2009)
1 = 2 Door Convertible, Manual
1 = 2 Door Coupe, Manual
2 = 2 Door Coupe, Automatic or CVT
3 = 3 Door Hatchback, Manual
4 = 3 Door Hatchback, Automatic or CVT
5 = 4 Door Sedan, Manual
6 = 4 Door Sedan, Automatic or CVT
6 = 4 Door Truck, Automatic or CVT
7 = 5 Door Wagon, Manual
7 = 5 Door SUV, Manual
8 = 5 Door Wagon, Automatic or CVT
8 = 5 Door Minivan, Automatic or CVT
8 = 5 Door SUV, Automatic or CVT
7th Character: Body Type & Transmission (2010+)
A = 2 Door Convertible, Manual
A = 2 Door Coupe, Manual
B = 2 Door Coupe, Automatic or CVT
C = 3 Door Hatchback, Manual
D = 3 Door Hatchback, Automatic or CVT
E = 4 Door Sedan, Manual
F = 4 Door Sedan, Automatic or CVT
F = 4 Door Truck, Automatic or CVT
G = 5 Door Wagon, Manual
G = 5 Door SUV, Manual
H = 5 Door Wagon, Automatic or CVT
H = 5 Door Minivan, Automatic or CVT
H = 5 Door SUV, Automatic or CVT
8th Character: Grade - Trim Level
9th Character: Check Digit
The 10th through 17th characters are used as the Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS). This is used by the manufacturer to identify the individual vehicle in question. This may include information on options installed or engine and transmission choices, but often is a simple sequential number.
10th Character: Model Year
A = 1980
B = 1981
C = 1982
D = 1983
E = 1984
F = 1985
G = 1986
H = 1987
J = 1988
K = 1989
L = 1990
M = 1991
N = 1992
P = 1993
R = 1994
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
A = 2010
(I, O, Q, U, Z, and 0 are not used)
11th Character: Assembly Plant
A = Marysville, Ohio, USA
B = Lincoln, Alabama, USA
B = Aalst, Belgium
C = Alliston, Ontario, Canada
C = Saitama or Sayama, Japan
D = Guadalajara, Mexico
E = Greensburg, Indiana, USA
E = Montesa, Spain
F = Atessa, Italy
F = Ping Tung Factory, Taiwan
H = Alliston, Ontario, Canada
J = Karawang Factory, Indonesia
K = Kumamoto, Japan
L = East Liberty, Ohio, USA
M = Hamamatsu, Japan
P = Ayutthaya Factory, Thailand
R = Manaus, Brazil
S = Suzuka, Japan
T = Tochigi, Japan
U = Swindon, England
X = El Salto, Mexico
Z = Sao Paulo, Brazil
1 = Manaus, Brazil
2 = Guangzhou Factory, China
3 = Huangpu Guangzhou Factory, China
4 = Timmonsville, South Carolina, USA
The 12th through 17th characters represent the Production Sequence Number. It starts at 000001 and goes up with each vehicle produced.
12th Character: Market Specification Number
While still part of the Production Sequence Number, this digit can vary based on market. For example, the Production Sequence Number for CDM Preludes from 1997-2001 starts with an 8.
Last edited by Kronn 98SH; 09-22-2009 at 05:10 PM.
This is a GREAT resource, thanks! I am a Warranty admin at my dealership and am trying to get my cashiers to understand the VIN breakdown. I think they will be more interested in filing if they know what it all means.
Does anyone happen to know of the plant code G? I've heard that it may be in Mexico, but I'd like to know for sure. And I'd also like to clarify that plant code U is actually Swindon, England. I thought it was in Japan somewhere. I could be wrong, however. I was happy to find that you have the new Greensburg plant listed here, as E. I've been trying to figure that one for awhile.
Does anyone happen to know of the plant code G? I've heard that it may be in Mexico, but I'd like to know for sure. And I'd also like to clarify that plant code U is actually Swindon, England. I thought it was in Japan somewhere. I could be wrong, however. I was happy to find that you have the new Greensburg plant listed here, as E. I've been trying to figure that one for awhile.
Never heard of G. None of my info is incorrect.
Originally Posted by Rockstar21
Im guessing this doesn't apply to acuras.. ?
Or at least doesn't line up with my 2nd gen. TL (UA5)
Hi guys - I'm wondering if anyone can help me working out my VIN number. I've tried through the explanation previously posted but there are some inconsistencies with it.
My VIN is JHMBA81400C300375 - The 10th digit is a 0, which can't be a year.
I thought I came across a similar thread somewhere else a long time ago. And it actually showed how to tell the line and shift. Every since I got my 6-6-6 I haven't been able to find out if I actually made this car or not. It's driving me CrAzY! Lol..
Hey man I just bought a teggy a couple days ago and I need some help about my engine, they guy I naught it from said its a d16 3 stage vtec I just want to know what it exactly is and what car it's from
07-28-2009, 03:50 PM
Decoding VIN (All Models 1983+)
