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VIN Year Chart

Instantly Check Your Car’s Year with the 10th VIN Digit Decoder

A VIN, or Vehicle Identification Number, is a 17-digit code that serves as the car’s unique identity.
For most vehicles, you can find the VIN on the front driver's-side interior dashboard or the driver's-side doorpost. Alternatively, it may appear on the vehicle's insurance and ownership documents. Example: 1GNSKSKD7PR434184

Deciphering the VIN for your vehicle is a great way to understand its origin. Each character of the 17-character identifier tells you something about that specific car. The model year is represented by the 10th digit — which has been standardized since 1981.

Code Year Code Year Code Year Code Year Code Year Code Year
A 1980 L 1990 Y 2000 A 2010 L 2020 Y 2030
B 1981 M 1991 1 2001 B 2011 M 2021 1 2031
C 1982 N 1992 2 2002 C 2012 N 2022 2 2032
D 1983 P 1993 3 2003 D 2013 P 2023 3 2033
E 1984 R 1994 4 2004 E 2014 R 2024 4 2034
F 1985 S 1995 5 2005 F 2015 S 2025 5 2035
G 1986 T 1996 6 2006 G 2016 T 2026 6 2036
H 1987 V 1997 7 2007 H 2017 V 2027 7 2037
J 1988 W 1998 8 2008 J 2018 W 2028 8 2038
K 1989 X 1999 9 2009 K 2019 X 2029 9 2039

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Prior to this, manufacturers chose different formats. For instance, in 1980, Ford and AMC retained the existing format, using a zero to denote the year. General Motors and Chrysler adopted the new standard, going with "A" instead of the traditional zero for their VINs.

VIN Year Chart

The 17-character VIN does not use the letters I (i), O (o), and Q (q). This is a deliberate decision as they can be confused for the numerals 0, 1, and 9. Additionally, the characters U, Z, and 0 (zero) are not used for year code identification.

Once the years cycle from A to Y, they run from 1 to 9 before going back to A again. For instance, the year code for 2000 was "Y", and 2001 was "1". In 2009, the year code was "9" and in 2010, it restarted at "A", marking a 30-year cycle since 1980.

The 10th digit of the VIN does not always refer to the year the car was produced. Sometimes manufacturers attribute it to the model year. This is the year when the car was intended to be launched. For instance, cars manufactured during the fall of 2022 may have the year by VIN specified as 2023.

  • VIN codes do not include the letters I (i), O (o), and Q (q).
  • The year digit of VIN does not include U (u), Z (z), or 0 (the number).

Before 1981, the VIN system was not governed by a universal standard. Manufacturers chose their own formats — differing in length, structure, and meaning — which meant that a VIN from Ford might look completely different from one issued by General Motors or Chrysler during the same year.

Model Year vs. Build Date – What's the Difference?

The model year (MY) is the regulatory/marketing year encoded in the 10th character of the VIN. It can start months before January (e.g., a car built in September 2024 may be MY 2025). The build date is the actual calendar day the vehicle was assembled, shown on the certification label (driver's door jamb). Use model year for registration, emissions, recalls; use build date for parts fitment, TSBs, and mid-year changes.

Example of Year Translation

  • 7FARS4H78SE005868: 10th character is S – 2025 year
  • 1GTH5BEA0L1214129: 10th character is L – 2020 year
  • WBAKP9C57GD980813: 10th character is G – 2016 year
  • 3GCPCPBX3AG113799: 10th character is A – 2010 year
  • JTEHH20V226020846: 10th character is 2 – 2002 year

Official Sources & Standards

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Digit in the VIN Indicates the Year?
The tenth digit of the VIN identifies the vehicle model year, using a range of numbers and letters as shown in the VIN year chart.
What Do the Other Digits in a VIN Mean?
Each VIN contains 17 characters that represent specific information about the vehicle, including the manufacturer, make, model, engine type, and assembly plant.
Can Two Vehicles Have the Same VIN?
No. Every vehicle manufactured after 1981 has a unique 17-character VIN. Two vehicles cannot legally have the same VIN.
Where Can I Find the VIN on My Vehicle?
You can find the VIN on the dashboard near the windshield on the driver’s side, inside the driver’s door jamb, or on your vehicle’s title and registration documents.
Can You Tell the Date of Manufacture from a VIN?
Generally, the 10th digit of a VIN identifies the model year. There is no digit that indicates the manufacturing month or day.