VIN Country Codes are part of the much larger Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is a unique code used in VIN check and license plate lookup tools to identify individual motor vehicles based on certain characteristics.
A VIN serves as a crucial identifier for a vehicle, which is why it is often used in VIN decoders for easy tracking of vehicles. It comprises 17 characters, including the 1st digit dedicated to country VIN codes.
Within a typical VIN number structure are country codes, which are used to indicate the country in which a vehicle was manufactured. This information is essential for various purposes, including vehicle registration, compliance with regulatory standards, and tracking the origin of a vehicle throughout its lifecycle.
Country codes in VINs are determined based on a standardized system established by ISO. Each country is assigned a unique code that is incorporated into the VIN to indicate the vehicle’s origin.
The VIN number country codes, AKA country of origin VIN codes, are digits typically identified as the first of the three characters of the 17-digit VIN format known as the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI). As the name implies, this portion of the VIN provides information about the vehicle’s original country of manufacture.
| Region | Country |
| Africa | AA-AH = South Africa |
| Asia | J = Japan KL-KR = South Korea L = China MA-ME = India MF-MK = Indonesia ML-MR = Thailand MS = Myanmar NL-NR = Turkey PA-PE = Philippines PL-PR = Malaysia RF-RG = Taiwan |
| Europe | SA-SM = United Kingdom SN-ST, W = Germany SU-SZ = Poland TA-TH = Switzerland TJ-TP = Czech Republic TR-TV = Hungary TW-T1 = Portugal VA-VE = Austria VF-VR = France VS-VW = Spain VX-V2 = Yugoslavia XL-XM = The Netherlands XS-XW = USSR X3-X0 = Russia YA-YE = Belgium YF-YK = Finland YS-YW = Sweden ZA-ZR = Italy |
| North America | 1, 4, 5 = United States 2 = Canada 3 = Mexico |
| Oceania | 6A-6W = Australia 7A-7E = New Zealand |
| South America | 8A-8E = Argentina 8F-8J = Chile 8L-8R = Ecuador 8X-82 = Venezuela 9A-9E, 93-99 = Brazil 9F-9J = Colombia |
Various online tools and databases enable individuals to decode VINs and retrieve information about the country of manufacture, as well as other details related to the vehicle’s specifications and history.
The VIN system is a universally accepted method used around the world to distinguish and uniquely identify individual vehicles. The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) holds 17 unique characters, each one offering valuable details about the vehicle’s manufacturer, model, engine type, country of origin VIN codes, and other details.
The 17-digit format was first conceptualized by the National Highway Safety Administration in 1981 to standardize the VIN number production throughout the country. Since then, the practice has been adapted all over the world.
Globally, the VIN standard is defined by the International Organization for Standardization as ISO 3779 (content and structure) and ISO 4030 (location and attachment).
As said earlier, the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) section, consisting of the initial three digits in a 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN), plays a crucial role in identifying the country and manufacturer of a vehicle. In the US, the WMI is assigned by the Society of Automotive Engineers to countries and manufacturers.
The first digit in a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) signifies the country where the vehicle was produced. It is sometimes referred to as VIN country codes and vin codes by country. This numerical character indicates the origin of the vehicle’s manufacturing.
| Region | Code |
| Africa Asia Europe North America Oceania South America | A to H J to R S to Z 1 to 5, 7F to 70 6 to 7E 8 to 9 |
The second digit reveals the vehicle’s manufacturer, offering insight into its origin and assembly.
The third digit denotes the vehicle’s model and/or division, allowing for precise identification within the manufacturer’s range of vehicles.
The Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) contains critical details about the vehicle, including its model, body type, engine type, transmission, and other key features. It’s represented by the 4th – 9th digits of a 17-digit VIN.
The fourth VIN number reveals the vehicle’s unique body type and style, providing crucial details about its size, shape, and overall build. Whether it’s a sedan, coupe, or features a specific trim package, this number is key in identifying the distinct design elements of the vehicle.
Moving on to the fifth to seventh VIN numbers, they play a vital role in pinpointing the specific characteristics of the vehicle’s body, as well as any additional features like the transmission and powertrain. This information is essential for ensuring that the right parts and accessories are utilized for repairs and maintenance.
The eighth digit provides crucial information about the vehicle’s engine type, whether it’s a V6, V8, or another configuration. This digit is essential for identifying the vehicle’s powertrain characteristics.
As for the ninth digit, it serves as a check digit in the VIN number, ensuring the accuracy of the entire VIN. It is calculated using a specific algorithm based on the other characters in the VIN.
The 10th through 17th digits of a 17-digit VIN make up the Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS), which holds the key to decoding a vehicle’s unique production or serial number sequence. Understanding this section is essential for accurately identifying and tracking a specific unit.
The tenth digit reveals the model year of the vehicle. This one digit holds the key to when the vehicle was made, whether it’s a 1 for 2001 or a 9 for 2009.
| Code | Year | |
| A B C D E F G H J K L M N P R S T V W X Y 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 | 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 | 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2035 2036 2037 2038 2039 |
The eleventh spot in a VIN number unveils the assembly plant where the vehicle was crafted, giving insight into its origin and production history.
The last twelfth – seventeenth digits represent the vehicle’s production sequence number. In essence, a car’s unique ID number.
Besides the driver’s side dashboard or windshield, the VIN number of a vehicle can also be found in these locations:
1. Driver’s side door jamb
2. Front of the engine block
3. Steering column
4. Rear wheel well
5. Front frame near the windshield
6. Under the spare tire
7. Vehicle registration paperwork
8. Insurance paperwork
9. Vehicle registration and title documents
The VIN is a critical tool for accessing vital information about a vehicle, such as its engine and transmission codes. This essential data allows authorities to ensure that the vehicle meets safety and emissions regulations.
Additionally, VIN checks serve various other important purposes;
For car buyers, it’s a vital step in verifying a vehicle’s history and ensuring it hasn’t been stolen, salvaged, or involved in any major accidents.
For car sellers, it’s a way to present vehicle data in a compelling manner for advertisements.
Law enforcement agencies rely on VIN checks to swiftly locate stolen vehicles and pinpoint any vehicles linked to criminal activities.
Insurance companies utilize VIN lookups to gauge the insurance risk of a specific vehicle, unearthing crucial historical details that may affect its insurability.
Car dealerships rely on VIN checks to confirm the authenticity and background of vehicles they handle, safeguarding against the sale of stolen or salvaged cars.
Auto repair shops, on the other hand, can utilize VIN checks to pinpoint the right parts and specifications for each vehicle, guaranteeing precise and secure repairs.
Similarly, car rental companies depend on VIN checks to verify the history and ownership of the vehicles they rent out, guaranteeing they comply with regulations and are safe for customers to use.
For vehicle manufacturers, they use VIN checks to monitor recalls and safety concerns for individual vehicles, ensuring the safety and regulatory compliance of your products.
For government agencies, VIN checks are utilized for a multitude of purposes, including vehicle registration, emissions testing, and the tracking of vehicle history for law enforcement needs.
