Useful information: decoding the VIN code of the car

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

When mass production of a large number of vehicle models requires a formalized system of accounting and identification. This also applies to the organization of service maintenance and car ownership. Already at the dawn of the automotive industry, each company introduced special identification designations and numbers that were knocked out on large parts: chassis, bodies, engines, and the like.

The processes of globalization of the world economy have led to the need for the emergence of international standards in the designation of cars. Decoding the VIN code allows you to establish all the basic data about the car of a technical and legal nature. Practice shows that the search for a stolen vehicle by such an identifier gives the best results. It is especially convenient to use such a system in the context of the emergence and rapid development of information technology and the global Internet.

Stages of introducing an international identification system

Standardization in this area began in the eighties of the last century. Until then, every companythe manufacturer had its own vehicle labeling system. So, decoding the Audi VIN code, consisting of only seven digits, made it possible to determine the chassis number of the car, the date of its release, as well as some model specifications.

These numbers were applied to the body and some rather large and expensive machine units. Starting in 1983, it was decided to move to a new identification system, the same for all automakers. The identifier was introduced by the international standard ISO 3779-1983, which was founded by 24 countries. The system was much more complicated and already consisted of 17 characters. Moreover, in addition to numbers, letters were also introduced.

The list of units subject to mandatory identification has been shortened. If earlier the number was applied to the body, chassis and engine, now only the first node is marked. The International Organization for Standardization approved the provision, and our country joined it. This made it possible to bring the products of the domestic automotive industry to international markets.

Composition of the VIN

Vehicle Identification Number is the official name, which translates into Russian as "Vehicle Identification Number". The decoding of the VIN code, which consists of three main parts, looks like this:

1. World Manufacturer Index - WMI, a unique designation of the country of manufacture.
2. Descriptive group - VDS, contains the coding of the company and model of the vehicle and its maincharacteristics.
3. Distinctive group - VIS, is actually the serial number of the machine.

So, the decoding of the Volkswagen VIN code will be as follows: the combination of the first three characters is assigned to the country - Germany. The next six characters carry information about the manufacturer itself - Volkswagen. Some of the letters and numbers can be used to indicate the location of a branch and the like. The last group of 8 characters is the individual vehicle number.

According to the international standard, the final series of four characters must consist exclusively of numbers. The rest of the provisions of this document are advisory in nature. So, the model year, or rather, its designation, can be encoded with the first two digits, and the assembly line marking with the next one or two characters.

Determining such an important indicator as the release time of a car by code is not always possible. It may not match the model year. This is due to the peculiarities of the organization of the technological process in each particular company. This circumstance can somewhat complicate the determination of the physical age of a given vehicle. Deciphering the VIN code of the car allows you to set in many cases not only the year, but also the month of manufacture.

The international standard ISO 3779-1983 recommends the 10th position to indicate the time of issue. Most companies in thisThe rules are followed, but there are exceptions to this rule. For example, the European branches of the Ford company for these purposes use signs with serial numbers 11 and 12. In this case, the year first breaks through, and then the month, temporary designations can be numerical or alphabetic in accordance with the table fixed by the standard.

VIN placement

Standards quite strictly regulate the rules for recording an identifying number in official documents and on a product. First of all, regardless of how the code is written: in one or two lines, no spaces are allowed. The font uses all Arabic numerals from 0 to 9, as well as almost all letters of the Latin alphabet, except for three: I, O and Q. This is done to avoid confusion - their shape resembles numbers.

Deciphering the VIN-code "Mercedes", placed on a special platform near the front passenger seat, can be made on the official computer database of the manufacturer. In addition, this number is duplicated on a special plate located on the front panel shelf under the hood or on the right vertical body pillar in its lower part.

BMW VIN code: placement on the car and reading features

The Bavarian company has offices and factories in the European Union, North America, Russia and Southeast Asia. Each branch has its own label. So, enterprises located in the New World are marked with the numbers 1, 4 and 5, as well as the letter of the Latin alphabet U. Deciphering the BMW wine code, startingalready from the first signs, gives an idea of the geographical location of the assembly plant.

The third position defines the class of the vehicle, and the next four describe the technical characteristics of the model. A special code prescribes the type of car body, the number of cylinders and the type of engine, and most importantly, the model. Marking is made in places specified by the manufacturer, namely on the rear wall of the engine compartment, under the rear seat, on the processor cover and on the outside of the wheel arch.

VIN code: application technology

The practice of applying various kinds of markings on components and individual parts has a long history. Their main task is to reliably identify products and complicate fakes. Deciphering the VIN code provides the most complete information about the car. The main technology for applying them to the body metal is stamping. The number is knocked out using a special cliché. Forging it in this case is possible only by replacing a large fragment or a whole part.

Opel VIN: basic information and location

Marking of bodies is carried out in accordance with the requirements of the international standard. According to special tables developed by the concern's specialists, the wine code is deciphered. "Opel" has two plates: one under the hood, the other on the door pillar under the striker of the lock. In addition, the numbers are stamped on the panel under the windshield and on the frame of the radiator of the cooling system.

VIN code Toyota: featuresaccommodation

The Japanese manufacturer and its subsidiaries adhere to the generally accepted vehicle identification system. According to special tables and databases, the wine code is decrypted. "Toyota" has a standard marking placement: on the front panel from the side of the engine compartment and under the driver's feet.

Some features of the application of standards

Practice shows that most automakers adhere to the rules for labeling their products quite strictly. However, there are a number of features here as well. Thus, the European branch of Ford introduced additional data on the release time for identification. The month of issue and year are indicated on the 10th and 11th positions of the VIN code. Other companies have similar deviations.

Main purposes of vehicle identification

At first, when the production of cars was small, there was no need to take any special measures. An increase in production volumes, as well as a variety of models, contributed to such a need. However, the solution of technological problems is not the only area. Deciphering the VIN code allows you to identify the ownership of the vehicle and its legal status. The presence of large numbered parts greatly complicates the use and resale of stolen cars.