How to tell the production month by frame number
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is the unique identity of a car and contains key data such as the vehicle's production information, manufacturer code, and model. For car owners or used car buyers, knowing how to decipher the month of production from the chassis number is a useful skill. This article will introduce the structure of the frame number in detail, and focus on how to determine the production month of the vehicle through the frame number.
1. Basic structure of chassis number
The frame number consists of 17 characters (numbers and letters) and is divided into three parts: World Manufacturer Identification Number (WMI), Vehicle Description Part (VDS) and Vehicle Indication Part (VIS). Among them, the 10th character usually represents the vehicle's production year, and the production month information may need to be interpreted in conjunction with other digits or the manufacturer's specific rules.
| VIN location | meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 people | World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) | LFW (China FAW) |
| 4-9 people | Vehicle Description Section (VDS) | Car model, engine type, etc. |
| 10 people | year of production | L (2020) |
| 11th place | Production plant code | Varies by manufacturer |
| 12-17 people | Production serial number | 000001 |
2. How to determine the production month by the frame number?
The 10th character of the frame number represents the year of production, but the month of production is usually not directly reflected in the VIN. Different manufacturers may use different rules, but here are some common methods:
1.Combine the 10th digit of the year and the 11th digit of the factory code: Some manufacturers will hide the production month information in the 11th character. You need to consult the manufacturer's VIN decoding manual.
2.Via vehicle nameplate or factory label: The nameplate on the B-pillar or engine compartment of the vehicle usually clearly indicates the year and month of production.
3.Query manufacturer database: Enter the complete VIN code through official or third-party tools to obtain detailed production information.
| manufacturer | How to determine production month |
|---|---|
| toyota | The 11th character is a letter, A-L represents January to December respectively. |
| Volkswagen | It needs to be inferred based on the serial number range of digits 12-17. |
| bmw | The 11th character number 1-9 represents January-September, A-C represents October-December |
3. Comparison table of the 10th year of the frame number
The following is the correspondence between the 10th character of the frame number and the year from 2010 to 2030:
| Year | character | Year | character |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | A | 2020 | L |
| 2011 | B | 2021 | M |
| 2012 | C | 2022 | N |
| 2013 | D | 2023 | P |
| 2014 | E | 2024 | R |
| 2015 | F | 2025 | S |
| 2016 | G | 2026 | T |
| 2017 | H | 2027 | V |
| 2018 | J | 2028 | W |
| 2019 | K | 2029 | X |
4. Precautions
1. The VIN rules of some electric vehicles or imported vehicles may be different from common standards. Please refer to the manufacturer's instructions.
2. The letters "I", "O" and "Q" in the chassis number are usually not used to avoid confusion with numbers.
3. If the vehicle is produced across multiple years (for example, produced in December 2023 but sold in January 2024), the actual production nameplate must prevail.
Through the above methods, you can more accurately determine the production month of the vehicle, providing a reference for car purchase or maintenance. If you need accurate information, it is recommended to contact the manufacturer or 4S store to inquire about complete production records.
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