VIN Number Decoding
VIN Number Decoding Explained.
The term VIN stands for Vehicle Identification Number. It is series of 17 digits and letters accepted as the world standard for identifying vehicles. Every vehicle produced from model year 1981 has a VIN. The VIN provides information such as make, model, year, where it was produced, and much more. It is used by automakers, insurance companies, governments, consumers, and law enforcement officials.
The VIN can be found in a variety of areas on your vehicle such as at the base of the windshield (driver's side), at the base of the driver's door post (also known as B-pillar), and in the engine compartment on the rearward wall (known as the firewall). It is the same number in each of these places.
VIN Number Decoding
1N4BA41E35C818146
Positions 1-3
1N4
The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) assigned by the Society of Automotive Engineers. Each manufacturer has at least one WMI code. The first character stands for where the vehicle was assembled (1=The United States, 2=Canada, 3=Mexico etc.)
Positions 4-8
BA41E
Characters used by manufacturers to identify the car line or series, engine, restraints, gross vehicle weight, and body style.
Position 9
3
A "check" digit based on a mathematical algorithm for determining the validity of the VIN.
Position 10
5
The year the vehicle built. In this case the digit is "5" which indicates the vehicle was made in 2005.
Position 11
C
The plant where the vehicle was assembled.
Positions 12-17
818146
A sequential number that uniquely identifies specific vehicles. For example, the first 11 characters identify this vehicle as a 2005 Nissan Maxima SE 6-speed, and the last 6 identify it as a particular 2005 Nissan Maxima SE 6-speed.