If you have ever called about a car part, there is a good chance you were asked for your VIN. Here is what that 17-character code actually contains, and why it is so useful for finding the right part.
What is a VIN?
A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique code assigned to each vehicle. For vehicles sold in North America, the 17-character format has been standard since the 1981 model year. VINs use numbers and capital letters, but never the letters I, O, or Q, because they are easily confused with the numbers 1 and 0.
How a VIN is structured
| Characters | Section | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) | Where the vehicle was built and by which manufacturer |
| 4–8 | Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) | The vehicle itself — model, body style, and on many vehicles the engine and restraint system |
| 9 | Check digit | A calculated value that helps detect an invalid or mistyped VIN |
| 10 | Model year | The model year of the vehicle |
| 11 | Plant code | The assembly plant |
| 12–17 | Serial number | The vehicle’s unique production sequence number |
Manufacturers decide exactly what characters 4 through 8 mean for their own vehicles, which is why the same position can describe different things on different brands.
Reading the model year
The 10th character is the model year. Letters and numbers cycle through a set sequence, skipping I, O, Q, U, Z, and the number 0. Recent codes look like this:
| Code | Model year | Code | Model year |
|---|---|---|---|
| F | 2015 | M | 2021 |
| G | 2016 | N | 2022 |
| H | 2017 | P | 2023 |
| J | 2018 | R | 2024 |
| K | 2019 | S | 2025 |
| L | 2020 | T | 2026 |
The sequence repeats every 30 years — “A” meant 1980 and also 2010 — which is one reason the other characters matter, too.
Why your VIN matters for parts
Manufacturers often build the same model with different parts depending on the engine, trim, options, plant, and even the date of production. Two vehicles that look identical can need different parts. Your VIN connects your exact vehicle to the way it was built, which lets parts systems narrow a long list of possible parts down to the right one.
That is especially helpful for:
- Engine and transmission parts, which can vary within a model year
- Electronic modules and sensors, which are often matched to exact part numbers
- Mid-year changes, where a manufacturer switched parts partway through production
- Body and trim parts, which depend on body style and options
What a VIN can’t always tell you
A VIN describes how a vehicle left the factory. It may not reflect:
- Dealer-installed accessories or aftermarket modifications
- A part that a previous owner replaced with a different version
- Every individual option on every vehicle
That is why it still helps to share the part number from your old part, photos, and any modifications you know about.
Where to find your VIN
- The lower driver-side corner of the windshield, visible from outside
- The label on the driver door jamb
- Your registration, title, or insurance card
Is it safe to share your VIN?
A VIN is visible through your windshield, and the VIN itself does not contain your name, address, or other personal details. Sharing it with a parts supplier so they can identify parts for your vehicle is routine.
Use your VIN to find your part
Call Rock Sales Parts at +1 646 244-2586 and read us your VIN along with the part you need, or include it in an online parts request. We will use it to help identify the right part.
Need help finding this part?
Call with your vehicle details — we will help identify the right part and let you know what we can find.