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Unlocking Scrap Car VIN Secrets

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So you are about to scrap your car one day and you think to yourself, what secrets does your car history have?  A quick check of this 17-digit code found on the frame, engine and door jambs can reveal a wealth of information.

The first character identifies the country of manufacture:

U.S.A.(1 or 4), Canada (2), Mexico (3), Japan (J), Korea (K), England (S), Germany (W), Italy (Z)

Second character specifies the manufacturer:

Audi (A), BMW (B), Buick (4), Cadillac (6), Chevrolet (1), Chrysler (C), Dodge (B), Ford (F), GM Canada (7), General Motors (G), Honda (H), Jaguar (A), Lincoln (L), Mercedes Benz (D), Mercury (M), Nissan (N), Oldsmobile (3), Pontiac (2 or 5), Plymouth (P), Saturn (8), Toyota (T), Volvo (V).

Third digit indicates the vehicle type or manufacturing division.

Fourth through eighth digit reveals the vehicle features such as body style, engine type, model, series, etc.

The ninth digit is a VIN accuracy check digit, verifying the previous VIN numbers.

Tenth digit tells you the model year.

Code:     Year:
   S         1995
   T         1996
   V         1997
   W        1998
   X         1999
   Y         2000   
   1         2001     
   2         2002
   3         2003
   4         2004
   5         2005
   6         2006
   7         2007
   8         2008
   9         2009

Eleventh digit reveals the assembly plant for the vehicle.

The twelfth through seventeenth digits indicate the sequence of the vehicle for production as it rolled of the manufacturers assembly line. They also describe the exact model, equipment package levels and trim.  This will tell you if it was originally a loaded up model or a lower model with after market accessories. 

Check your VIN instantly:

http://www.pronto-net.com/vin_app/vin.php

http://www.vehicleidentificationnumber.com/vindecoder.html