VIN number question
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Georgia
VIN number question
Checking out the VIN breakdown in the FAQ post and noticed that the tenth digit is supposed to reflect the year model. 0=2000 1=2001 2=2002 etc. Mine is the letter Y. Any ideas what this stands for? My rig is a 2000 model.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Northern Va
I didn't see the year mentioned in the FAQ, but "Y" equates to 2000 model year. One (1) started in the year 2001. Zero (0) is not a valid year designation, and there are no letter O's used in VINs..
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 60
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From: Heber City, UT
Prior to 2001, the tenth digit calling out the model year was a letter. To wit:
A = 1980
B = 1981
C = 1982
D = 1983
E = 1984
F = 1985
G = 1986 (easy to remember because a capital G looks kinda like a 6)
H = 1987
I = Not used...too easy to confuse with a 1
J = 1988
K = 1989
L = 1990 (easy to remember because a capital L is a "90" degree angle)
M = 1991
N = 1992
O = Not used...too easy to confuse with a zero
P = 1993 (P rhymes with three)
Q = Not used for the same reason as O
R = 1994
S = 1995 (easy to remember because a capital S looks kinda like a 5)
T = 1996
U = Not used. Not sure why. Maybe because U and V look too similar.
V = 1997 (easy to remember. The word "seven" has a V in it)
W = 1998
X = 1999
Y = 2000 (as in "Y" 2K)
Before 1980 U.S. vin codes were not standardized. Each manufacturer could have their own system of VIN numbers. Standardized VIN's make it easy for law enforcement and others to quickly identify lots of details about any vehicle just from the VIN.
I spent a couple of years as a car salesman and had to find a quick way to figure out the year of a vehicle from the VIN. That's why I came up with the reminder hints.
A = 1980
B = 1981
C = 1982
D = 1983
E = 1984
F = 1985
G = 1986 (easy to remember because a capital G looks kinda like a 6)
H = 1987
I = Not used...too easy to confuse with a 1
J = 1988
K = 1989
L = 1990 (easy to remember because a capital L is a "90" degree angle)
M = 1991
N = 1992
O = Not used...too easy to confuse with a zero
P = 1993 (P rhymes with three)
Q = Not used for the same reason as O
R = 1994
S = 1995 (easy to remember because a capital S looks kinda like a 5)
T = 1996
U = Not used. Not sure why. Maybe because U and V look too similar.
V = 1997 (easy to remember. The word "seven" has a V in it)
W = 1998
X = 1999
Y = 2000 (as in "Y" 2K)
Before 1980 U.S. vin codes were not standardized. Each manufacturer could have their own system of VIN numbers. Standardized VIN's make it easy for law enforcement and others to quickly identify lots of details about any vehicle just from the VIN.
I spent a couple of years as a car salesman and had to find a quick way to figure out the year of a vehicle from the VIN. That's why I came up with the reminder hints.
