VIN decoder for all vehicles sold in North America 1981 onwards

The seventeen numbers found on all vehicles manufactured or imported into the US and Canada since 1981 can be decoded like this:

1st character- Identifies the country in which the vehicle was manufactured.
For example: U.S.A. (1 or 4), Canada (2), Mexico (3), Japan (J), Korea (K), Great Britian (S), Germany (W), Italy (Z)

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

3rd character- Identifies vehicle type or manufacturing division.

4th to 8th characters- Identifies vehicle features such as body style, engine type, model, series, etc.

9th character- Identifies VIN accuracy (check digit).

10th character- Identifies the model year. For example: 1988(J), 1989(K), 1990(L), 1991(M), 1992(N), 1993(P), 1994(R), 1995(S), 1996(T),
1997(V), 1998(W), 1999(X), 2000(Y)------2001(1), 2002(2), 2003(3)

11th character- Identifies the assembly plant for the vehicle.

12th to 17th characters- Identifies the sequence of the vehicle for production as it rolled off the manufacturer's assembly line.
The VIN is usually found on the dashboard on the driver's side. It is also found on the driver's side door post near the striker plate. The VIN may also be found on major components of some high-theft cars.