You can determine the year of your car by decoding the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) number. The VIN number is a unique code assigned to each motor vehicle and typically consists of 17 alphanumeric characters. To find out the year of your car using the VIN number, you can follow these general guidelines:
- Identify the tenth character: Look for the tenth character of the VIN, which represents the model year of the vehicle.
- Understand the model year code: The tenth character in the VIN is usually a letter or a number. It corresponds to a specific model year, and there is a standardized set of codes used in VIN numbers. The codes vary depending on the region and manufacturer, but here is a commonly used breakdown for model years:
- Letters: In some cases, letters are used to represent the model year. For example, “A” typically represents the year 1980, “B” for 1981, “C” for 1982, and so on.
- Numbers: Starting from the year 1981, manufacturers began using numbers to represent the model year. “1” represents 1981, “2” for 1982, “3” for 1983, and so on.
- Decode the tenth character: Determine the specific model year of your car by referring to the model year codes for the corresponding region and manufacturer. You can consult manufacturer-specific VIN decoding charts or use online resources that provide VIN decoding services.
Please note that the VIN decoding process may vary depending on the country and manufacturer. In some cases, additional characters or codes within the VIN may be necessary to accurately determine the year of the vehicle. It’s recommended to consult manufacturer-specific resources or use reputable online VIN decoding services to ensure accurate results for your specific car.