[wildon]

How do you know that your dealer isn't selling you a 6 month old car, under the guise of a new one? Or worse still, a car that's over a year old?

Knowing when your car was manufactured is critical; after all, when you have paid good money for a brand new car, shouldn't you be getting just that? Automotive manufactures around the world use a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that can be decoded to reveal the Month & Year of production. Each car has a unique VIN that is usually stamped somewhere within the engine bay, or around the passenger compartment.

Team-BHP shows you how to decode the VIN of your car. Simply scroll down to the manufacturer-specific posts and follow the instructions therein.

NOTE : An excel sheet containing the location of engine / chassis numbers (on various vehicles) is attached to the bottom of this post.

Manufacturer: Tata Motors

VIN Characters: 17 (beginning with MAT...)

Decode:

10th character represents the YEAR of Manufacture
12th character represents the MONTH of Manufacture

An Example:

If your 10th VIN character is A, then it represents the Year - 2010
If your 12th VIN character is G, then it represents the Month - July

Month Codes:

A = JAN
B = FEB
C = MAR
D = APR
E = MAY
F = JUN
G = JUL
H = AUG
J = SEP
K = OCT
N = NOV
P = DEC

Year Codes:

A = 2010
B = 2011
C = 2012
D = 2013
E = 2014
F = 2015
G = 2016
H = 2017
J = 2018
K = 2019
L = 2020
M = 2021
N = 2022
P = 2023
R = 2024
S = 2025
T = 2026
V = 2027
W = 2028
X = 2029
Y = 2030

P.S. The letters "I", "O" and "Q" are never used in a VIN.

[wildon]

Manufacturer: Chevrolet

All models except Trailblazer

VIN Characters: 17 (beginning with MA6...)

Decode:

7th character represents the MONTH of Manufacture
9th character represents the YEAR of Manufacture

Month Codes:

A = JAN
B = FEB
C = MAR
D = APR
E = MAY
F = JUN
G = JUL
H = AUG
J = SEP
K = OCT
L = NOV
M = DEC

Year Codes:

A = 2010
B = 2011
C = 2012
D = 2013
E = 2014
F = 2015
G = 2016
H = 2017
J = 2018
K = 2019
L = 2020
M = 2021
N = 2022
P = 2023
R = 2024
S = 2025
T = 2026
V = 2027
W = 2028
X = 2029
Y = 2030

Reference photo attached in post #584.

Additionally, you can find a separate placard near the front left door, right bottom (near seat) that has 2 characters representing MONTH and YEAR. For e.g GB = July 2011.

Full credit goes to fellow members Ghostrider, Torquedo, keyur and Poitive for the findings.

Trailblazer

VIN Characters: 17 (beginning with MMM...)

Decode:

4th character represents the MONTH of Manufacture
9th character represents the YEAR of Manufacture

Month Codes:

A = JAN
B = FEB
C = MAR
D = APR
F = MAY
G = JUN
H = JUL
K = AUG
M = SEP
N = OCT
P = NOV
R = DEC

Year Codes:

A = 2010
B = 2011
C = 2012
D = 2013
E = 2014
F = 2015
G = 2016
H = 2017
J = 2018
K = 2019
L = 2020
M = 2021
N = 2022
P = 2023
R = 2024
S = 2025
T = 2026
U = 2027
V = 2028
W = 2029
X = 2030

[wildon]

Manufacturer: Honda

VIN Characters: 17 (beginning with MAK...)

Decode:

9th character represents the MONTH of Manufacture
10th character represents the YEAR of Manufacture

An Example:

If your 9th VIN character is G, then it represents the Month - July
If your 10th VIN character is A, then it represents the Year - 2010

Month Codes:

A = JAN
B = FEB
C = MAR
D = APR
E = MAY
F = JUN
G = JUL
H = AUG
J = SEP
K = OCT
L = NOV
M = DEC

Year Codes:

A = 2010
B = 2011
C = 2012
D = 2013
E = 2014
F = 2015
G = 2016
H = 2017
J = 2018
K = 2019
L = 2020
M = 2021
N = 2022
P = 2023
R = 2024
S = 2025
T = 2026
V = 2027
W = 2028
X = 2029
Y = 2030

[wildon]

Manufacturer: Mahindra

VIN Characters: 17 (beginning with MA1...)

Decode:

10th character represents the YEAR of Manufacture
12th character represents the MONTH of Manufacture

An Example:

If your 10th VIN character is A, then it represents the Year - 2010
If your 12th VIN character is G, then it represents the Month - July

Month Codes:

A = JAN
B = FEB
C = MAR
D = APR
E = MAY
F = JUN
G = JUL
H = AUG
J = SEP
K = OCT
L = NOV
M = DEC

Year Codes:

A = 2010
B = 2011
C = 2012
D = 2013
E = 2014
F = 2015
G = 2016
H = 2017
J = 2018
K = 2019
L = 2020
M = 2021
N = 2022
P = 2023
R = 2024
S = 2025
T = 2026
V = 2027
W = 2028
X = 2029
Y = 2030

EDIT : Here's some more info from Spike. Thanks!

Originally Posted by SPIKE ARRESTOR

The VIN code for mahindra vehicles consists of 17 digits, which is divided mainly into 3 sections.
first section containing 3 digits which give details of Manufacturer code.
second section containing 6 digits which give details of general characteristics of the vehicle
third section containing 8 digits which give details of particular vehicle identification. Now the details of all the 17 digits
Digit 1- Continent code ( M means Asia)
Digit 2- Country code (A means India)
Digit 3- Manufacturers code for MnM (1 means Mahindra)
Digit 4,5-Vehicle code for RHD,LHD
Digit 6- 4WD or 2WD (4 means 4WD and 2 means 2WD)
Digit 7,8- Engine code (Different codes for MDI and NEF)
Digit9- Transmission code (N for NGT 530R and L for NGT530)
Digit 10- Year code (2 for 2001, 3 for 2002 and so on)
Digit 11- Plant location (1 for Kandivali, 2 for Nasik, 3 for Zaheerabad)
Digit 12- Month code (A for January, B for Feb and so on)
Digit 13-17- Vehicle Serial No.

[wildon]

Manufacturer: Mitsubishi

VIN Characters: 17 (beginning with MA7...)

Decode:

10th character represents the YEAR of Manufacture
11th character represents the MONTH of Manufacture

An Example:

If your 10th VIN character is A, then it represents the Year - 2010
If your 11th VIN character is G, then it represents the Month - July

Month Codes:

A = JAN
B = FEB
C = MAR
D = APR
E = MAY
F = JUN
G = JUL
H = AUG
J = SEP
K = OCT
L = NOV
M = DEC

Year Codes:

A = 2010
B = 2011
C = 2012
D = 2013
E = 2014
F = 2015
G = 2016
H = 2017
J = 2018
K = 2019
K = 2019
L = 2020
M = 2021
N = 2022
P = 2023
R = 2024
S = 2025
T = 2026
V = 2027
W = 2028
X = 2029
Y = 2030

[wildon]

Manufacturer: Hyundai

VIN / Chassis Number Characters: 19 (beginning with MAL...)

Decode:

10th character represents the Model YEAR
19th character represents the MONTH of Manufacture

An Example:

If your 10th VIN character is A, then it represents the Model Year - 2010
If your 19th VIN character is G, then it represents the Month of Manufacture - July

Month Codes:

A = JAN
B = FEB
C = MAR
D = APR
E = MAY
F = JUN
G = JUL
H = AUG
J = SEP
K = OCT
L = NOV
M = DEC

Year Codes:

A = 2010
B = 2011
C = 2012
D = 2013
E = 2014
F = 2015
G = 2016
H = 2017
J = 2018
K = 2019
K = 2019
L = 2020
M = 2021
N = 2022
P = 2023
R = 2024
S = 2025
T = 2026
V = 2027
W = 2028
X = 2029
Y = 2030

Note: Hyundai / Kia owners can use this site to get the VIN details of their cars. One must register to access the site. Thanks to BHPian RSR for sharing.

[wildon]

Manufacturer: Fiat

VIN Characters: 20 (beginning with MCA...)

Decode:

18th character represents the MONTH of Manufacture
19th & 20th character represents the YEAR of Manufacture

An Example:

If your 18th VIN character is G, then it represents the Month - July
If your 19th & 20th VIN character is NZ, then it represents the Year - 2010

Month Codes:

A = JAN
B = FEB
C = MAR
D = APR
E = MAY
F = JUN
G = JUL
H = AUG
J = SEP
K = OCT
L = NOV
M = DEC

Year Codes:

8Z = 2030
7Z = 2029
6Z = 2028
5Z = 2027
4Z = 2026
3Z = 2025
2Z = 2024
1Z = 2023
AZ = 2022
BZ = 2021
CZ = 2020
DZ = 2019
EZ = 2018
FZ = 2017
GZ = 2016
HZ = 2015
JZ = 2014
KZ = 2013
LZ = 2012
MZ = 2011
NZ = 2010
QZ & PZ = 2009

2013 Model Year - Grande Punto Engine Codes:

11816D - 1.2-8V-CF4-ACTIVE
11845D - 1.2-8V-CF4-DYNAMIC
11855F - 1.4-16V-CF4-EMOTION
11814E - 1.3-JTD-75CV-CF4-ACTIVE
11845E - 1.3-JTD-75CV-CF4-DYNAMIC
11855E - 1.3-JTD-75CV-CF4- EMOTION
11854D - 1.3-JTD-90CV CF4-EMOTION

2013 Model Year - Linea Engine Codes:

110EDG - 1.4-16V-CF4-ACTIVE
110GDG - 1.4-16V-CF4-DYNAMIC
110GD2 - 1.4-16VTURBO-CF4-T-JET
110HD2 - 1.4-16VTURBO-CF4-EMOTION
110EDB - 1.3-JTD-90CV-CF4-ACTIVE
110GDB - 1.3-JTD-90CV-CF4- DYNAMIC
110HDB - 1.3-JTD-90CV-CF4-EMOTION

Fiat LINEA Engine Codes - New Variants

110ED2 - 3V-1.4-16VTURBO-CF4-ACTIVE
110KDG - 3V-1.4-16V-CF4-CLASSIC BAS
110D16 - 3V-1.4-16V-CF3-DYNAMIC PACK D1
11071G - 3V-1.4-16V-CF4-EMOTION PACK E1
110KDB - 1.3-JTD-75CV-CF4-CLASSIC BAS
110LDB - 1.3-JTD-75CV-CF4-CLASSIC MID

[wildon]

Manufacturer: Skoda

VIN Characters: 17 (beginning with TMB...)

Decode:

6th character represents the MONTH of Manufacture
10th character represents the YEAR of Manufacture

An Example:

If your 6th VIN character is G, then it represents the Month - July
If your 10th VIN character is A, then it represents the Year - 2010

Month Codes:

A = JAN
B = FEB
C = MAR
D = APR
E = MAY
F = JUN
G = JUL
H = AUG
J = SEP
K = OCT
L = NOV
M = DEC

Year Codes:

A = 2010
B = 2011
C = 2012
D = 2013
E = 2014
F = 2015
G = 2016
H = 2017
J = 2018
K = 2019
L = 2020
M = 2021
N = 2022
P = 2023
R = 2024
S = 2025
T = 2026
V = 2027
W = 2028
X = 2029
Y = 2030

Note: Here's a link to a worldwide VIN decoder for VW / Skoda / Audi cars. Try it out, thanks to BHPian dkaile for sharing.

[wildon]

Manufacturer: Volkswagen

VIN Characters: 17 (beginning with WVW...)

EDIT : From 2015 - beginning with MEX

Decode:

4th character represents the MONTH of Manufacture
5th & 6th combined character represents Production Year
10th character represents the Model Year

An Example:

If your 4th VIN character is C, then it represents the Month - March
If your 5th & 6th Combined character is 12 then it represents the production year 2012
If your 10th VIN character is C, then it represents the Model Year - 2012

Month Codes:

A = JAN
B = FEB
C = MAR
D = APR
E = MAY
F = JUN
G = JUL
H = AUG
J = SEP
K = OCT
L = NOV
M = DEC

Year Codes:

10 = 2010
11 = 2011
12 = 2012
13 = 2013
14 = 2014
15 = 2015
16 = 2016
17 = 2017
18 = 2018
19 = 2019
20 = 2020
21 = 2021
22 = 2022
23 = 2023
24 = 2024
25 = 2025
26 = 2026
27 = 2027
28 = 2028
29 = 2029
30 = 2030

Model Year Codes:

A = 2010
B = 2011
C = 2012
D = 2013
E = 2014
F = 2015
G = 2016
H = 2017
J = 2018
K = 2019

Note: Here's a link to a worldwide VIN decoder for VW / Skoda / Audi cars. Try it out, thanks to BHPian dkaile for sharing.

[wildon]

Manufacturer: Toyota

VIN Characters: 22 (beginning with MBJ...)

Decode:

19th & 20th character represents the MONTH of Manufacture
21st & 22nd character represents the YEAR of Manufacture

An Example:

If your 19th & 20th VIN characters are 0 & 5, then it represents the Month - May
If your 21st & 22nd VIN characters are 0 & 8, then it represents the Year - 2008

Month Codes:

01 = JAN
02 = FEB
03 = MAR
04 = APR
05 = MAY
06 = JUN
07 = JUL
08 = AUG
09 = SEP
10 = OCT
11 = NOV
12 = DEC

Year Codes:

10 = 2010
11 = 2011
12 = 2012
13 = 2013
14 = 2014
15 = 2015
16 = 2016
17 = 2017
18 = 2018
19 = 2019
20 = 2020
21 = 2021
22 = 2022
23 = 2023
24 = 2024
25 = 2025
26 = 2026
27 = 2027
28 = 2028
29 = 2029
30 = 2030

[wildon]

Manufacturer: Maruti

VIN Characters: 17 (beginning mostly with MA3...)

Decode:

11th character represents the MONTH of Manufacture
10th character represents the YEAR of Manufacture

An Example:

If your 11th VIN character is H, then it represents the Month - August
If your 10th VIN character is F, then it represents the Year - 2015

Month Codes:

A = JAN
B = FEB
C = MAR
D = APR
E = MAY
F = JUN
G = JUL
H = AUG
J = SEP
K = OCT
L = NOV
M = DEC

Year Codes:

Y=2030
X=2029
W=2028
V=2027
T=2026
S=2025
R=2024
P=2023
N=2022
M=2021
L=2020
K=2019
J=2018
H=2017
G=2016
F=2015
E=2014
D=2013
C=2012
B=2011
A=2010
9=2009
8=2008
7=2007
6=2006
5=2005



Alternately

Some cars have 00 as the 10th and 11th characters. In such cases, two more characters are added to the 17 after a star.

VIN Characters: 19 (beginning mostly with MA3...)

Decode:

18th character represents the MONTH of Manufacture
19th character represents the YEAR of Manufacture

An Example:

If your 18th VIN character is E, then it represents the Month - May
If your 19th VIN character is J, then it represents the Year - 2018



For older cars

VIN Characters: 21 (beginning mostly with MA3...)

Decode:

20th character represents the MONTH of Manufacture
21st character represents the YEAR of Manufacture

An Example:

If your 20th VIN character is L, then it represents the Month - November
If your 21st VIN character is 6, then it represents the Year - 2006

[wildon]

Manufacturer: Nissan / Datsun

VIN Characters: 17 (beginning mostly with "MDH")

Decode:

10th character represents the YEAR of Manufacture
11th character represents the MONTH of Manufacture

An Example:

If your 10th VIN character is C, then it represents the Year 2012
If your 11th VIN character is 3, then it represents the Month of March

Year Codes:

A = 2010
B = 2011
C = 2012
D = 2013
E = 2014
F = 2015
G = 2016
H = 2017
J = 2018
K = 2019
L = 2020
M = 2021
N = 2022
P = 2023
R = 2024
S = 2025
T = 2026
V = 2027
W = 2028
X = 2029
Y = 2030

Month Codes:

1 = January
2 = February
3 = March
4 = April
5 = May
6 = June
7 = July
8 = August
9 = September
A = October
B = November
C = December

[wildon]

Manufacturer: Ford

VIN Characters: 17 (beginning mostly with MAJ...)

Ford India uses a pattern which repeats every 4 years. That means the 2005-2008 pattern repeats for 2009-2012 (and so on).

Decode: (Use the chart below for reference)

11th character represents the YEAR of Manufacture
12th character represents the MONTH of Manufacture

An Example:

If your 11th VIN character is 7, then it represents the Year - 2007
If your 12th VIN character is K, then it represents the Month - February

Year Codes:

A = 2010
B = 2011
C = 2012
D = 2013
E = 2014
F = 2015
G = 2016
H = 2017
J = 2018
K = 2019
L = 2020
M = 2021
N = 2022
P = 2023
R = 2024
S = 2025
T = 2026
V = 2027
W = 2028
X = 2029
Y = 2030



Please also check out Arunphilip's excellent post here.

Note: For checking Ford VINs https://www.etis.ford.com/home/loginForm.do# can be used. However, the user has to register first (it's free of cost though). Thanks to BHPian jithin23 for sharing.

[wildon]

Manufacturer: Renault

VIN Characters: 17 (beginning mostly with "MEE")

Decode:

10th character represents the YEAR of Manufacture
11th character represents the MONTH of Manufacture

An Example:

If your 10th VIN character is C, then it represents the Year 2012
If your 11th VIN character is 3, then it represents the Month of March

Year Codes:

A = 2010
B = 2011
C = 2012
D = 2013
E = 2014
F = 2015
G = 2016
H = 2017
J = 2018
K = 2019
L = 2020
M = 2021
N = 2022
P = 2023
R = 2024
S = 2025
T = 2026
V = 2027
W = 2028
X = 2029
Y = 2030

Month Codes:

1 = January
2 = February
3 = March
4 = April
5 = May
6 = June
7 = July
8 = August
9 = September
A = October
B = November
C = December

[wildon]

Manufacturer: Kia

VIN / Chassis Number Characters: 19 (beginning with MZB...)

Decode:

10th character represents the Model YEAR
19th character represents the MONTH of Manufacture

An Example:

If your 10th VIN character is A, then it represents the Model Year - 2010
If your 19th VIN character is G, then it represents the Month of Manufacture - July

Year Codes:

A = 2010
B = 2011
C = 2012
D = 2013
E = 2014
F = 2015
G = 2016
H = 2017
J = 2018
K = 2019
L = 2020
M = 2021
N = 2022
P = 2023
R = 2024
S = 2025
T = 2026
V = 2027
W = 2028
X = 2029
Y = 2030

Month Codes:

A = January
B = February
C = March
D = April
E = May
F = June
G = July
H = August
J = September
K = October
L = November
M = December

Note: Hyundai / Kia owners can use this site to get the VIN details of their cars. One must register to access the site. Thanks to BHPian RSR for sharing.