Where to find the VIN
The VIN appears in several places on a vehicle and its paperwork:
- On the dashboard, driver’s side, visible through the windshield
- On the driver’s door jamb sticker
- On the vehicle registration and insurance documents
- On the engine block and other stamped components
What each VIN position means
The 17 characters break down into meaningful sections:
- Positions 1–3 — World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI): identifies the maker and country (e.g. 1G1 = Chevrolet, USA).
- Positions 4–8 — Vehicle Descriptor Section: model, body style, engine, and restraint system.
- Position 9 — Check digit: a calculated value used to validate the VIN.
- Position 10 — Model year: a letter or number code (e.g. A=2010, B=2011 … or 1–9 for some years).
- Position 11 — Assembly plant: where the vehicle was built.
- Positions 12–17 — Serial number: the unique production sequence for that specific vehicle.
Why I, O, and Q are never used
VINs use only the letters A–H, J–N, P, and R–Z. The letters I, O, and Q are excluded because they’re too easily confused with the numbers 1 and 0.
Decode any VIN instantly
You don’t have to decode it by hand. Paste any VIN into our free VIN decoder to instantly see the make, model, year, engine and specs — then run a full history report for accidents, title brands, and liens.