VIN year code: find the model year (10th digit)
The VIN year code is the 10th character of a 17‑character VIN. Use the chart below to identify the model year—then verify details with a VIN check.
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Where is the VIN year code?
In standard 17-character VINs, the model year is encoded in the 10th position. Example: WA1DGAFE5CD003134 → the 10th character is C.
VIN year code chart (1980–2039)
Codes repeat every 30 years. Confirm with make/model context and a VIN decode.
| Code | Year | Code | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1980 / 2010 | B | 1981 / 2011 |
| C | 1982 / 2012 | D | 1983 / 2013 |
| E | 1984 / 2014 | F | 1985 / 2015 |
| G | 1986 / 2016 | H | 1987 / 2017 |
| J | 1988 / 2018 | K | 1989 / 2019 |
| L | 1990 / 2020 | M | 1991 / 2021 |
| N | 1992 / 2022 | P | 1993 / 2023 |
| R | 1994 / 2024 | S | 1995 / 2025 |
| T | 1996 / 2026 | V | 1997 / 2027 |
| W | 1998 / 2028 | X | 1999 / 2029 |
| Y | 2000 / 2030 | 1 | 2001 / 2031 |
| 2 | 2002 / 2032 | 3 | 2003 / 2033 |
| 4 | 2004 / 2034 | 5 | 2005 / 2035 |
| 6 | 2006 / 2036 | 7 | 2007 / 2037 |
| 8 | 2008 / 2038 | 9 | 2009 / 2039 |
Common mistakes
- Not counting correctly: the year is the 10th character, not the 9th.
- Assuming one year: codes repeat every 30 years—use context to confirm.
- Invalid VIN length: modern VINs are 17 characters (no I/O/Q).
Related pages
What is a VIN? • ISO 3779 VIN structure • Buy CARFAX • Buy AutoCheck
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