VEHICLE-IDENTIFICATION-NUMBER-VIN

ISO 3779 17-char unique vehicle identifier.

Definition

VIN structure ISO 3779: Positions 1-3 World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI: 1=country, 2-3=manufacturer code, e.g. 1HG=Honda USA, WAU=Audi Germany), 4-9 Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS: model, body type, engine, restraint system, plus check digit position 9), 10-17 Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS: 10=year code letter, 11=plant code, 12-17=serial production number). Letter 'I', 'O', 'Q' forbidden to avoid confusion with digits. US NHTSA enforces VIN compliance ; lookups via NHTSA VPIC (Vehicle Product Information Catalog) public API.

Origin

VIN concept introduced 1950s US ; standardised ISO 3779 published 1977 ; major revision ISO 3779:2009 published 2009 ; NHTSA mandates US 1981+.

Example in context

A consumer consults NHTSA VPIC API to decode VIN 1HGBH41JXMN109186: World Manufacturer Identifier 1HG=Honda USA, Vehicle Descriptor BH41 J=Civic LX 4-door Sedan, Year M=1991, Plant N=Marysville Ohio, Serial 109186.

Related terms

• ACES — used in fitment.