The 10th digit is your vehicle's model year, encoded as a single letter or number
The 10th position in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) contains a code that represents the year your vehicle was manufactured. This digit is not the actual year — it is a letter or number assigned by the manufacturer to stand for a specific year. The code repeats every 30 years, so a vehicle from 1980 and one from 2010 could both have the same 10th digit.
Manufacturers use this system because a single character can fit into the standardized 17-character VIN format. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) established this standard in 1981, and all vehicles sold in the United States have followed it since then. The 10th digit appears in the same position on every VIN, making it straightforward to locate once you know where to look.
Key Takeaways
- The 10th digit of a VIN is a letter or number that represents the model year, not the actual year itself.
- The year code repeats every 30 years, so you cannot determine the exact decade without additional information like the first three digits or the vehicle's appearance.
- You can find your VIN on your vehicle registration, insurance card, title document, or on the dashboard at the base of the windshield on the driver's side.
- Knowing your model year helps with insurance quotes, repair estimates, recall lookups, and understanding warranty coverage.
How to locate the 10th digit in your VIN
Your VIN appears in several places on your vehicle and documents. The easiest location is your vehicle registration or insurance card — both print the full VIN clearly. You can also find it on your title document, which your state's motor vehicle department issued when you registered the vehicle.
On the vehicle itself, look at the dashboard on the driver's side, at the base of the windshield. The VIN is stamped into the metal or plastic there and is visible from outside the car without opening the door. Some vehicles also have the VIN on the driver's side door jamb, on the engine block, or on the frame. Once you have the VIN in front of you, count 10 characters from the left — that character is your model year code.
The year code chart for vehicles from 1980 to 2050
| Code | Years |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Notice that the letters I, O, Q, U, and Z do not appear in the year code. The NHTSA excluded these letters to avoid confusion with numbers and to reduce errors when reading VINs by hand or through optical scanning. The code starts with A for 1980 and cycles through letters and numbers until Y (2000), then switches to numbers 1 through 9 (2001 through 2009), then repeats the pattern starting with A again for 2010.
You can use this chart to decode any 10th digit you encounter. If you see a 7 in the 10th position, the vehicle is either a 2007 or a 1997 — you will need to check other parts of the VIN or look at the vehicle itself to determine which decade it belongs to.
Why the 10th digit matters for your vehicle
Insurance companies use the 10th digit to determine your vehicle's age and calculate your premium. Older vehicles often cost less to insure because they have lower market value, though they may have higher repair costs if they lack modern safety features. When you request an insurance quote, the company pulls your VIN and automatically reads the model year from the 10th digit.
Repair shops use the model year to order the correct parts and understand which systems your vehicle has. A 2015 model may have different emissions equipment or electrical systems than a 2010 model of the same make and model. Mechanics also use the year to look up technical service bulletins — documents that describe known issues and fixes for that specific year.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) uses the 10th digit when you search for recalls. If your vehicle has a safety defect, NHTSA posts the recall by make, model, and year. You can search the NHTSA website using your VIN, and the system will return all open recalls for your exact vehicle.
How to tell which decade your vehicle is from when the code repeats
Since the year code repeats every 30 years, a 10th digit alone cannot tell you whether your vehicle is from 1995 or 2025. You need additional information to determine the correct decade. The first three digits of the VIN, called the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI), tell you the country and manufacturer. Manufacturers from the 1980s and 1990s used different codes than those from the 2010s and 2020s, so the WMI can narrow it down.
The simplest way is to look at your vehicle's registration or title — both clearly state the model year. You can also look at the vehicle itself: the style of the dashboard, the shape of the headlights, the design of the bumpers, and the overall body shape change from year to year. A 1995 vehicle looks visibly different from a 2025 vehicle, even if they share the same 10th digit code. If you are unsure, contact the manufacturer with your full VIN and they can confirm the exact year.
Reading your full VIN to understand what the 10th digit means in context
The 10th digit works alongside the other 16 characters to give you a complete picture of your vehicle. The first three digits identify the manufacturer and country. Digits 4 through 8 describe the vehicle type, body style, engine, and transmission. The 9th digit is a check digit that helps detect errors in the VIN. The 10th digit is the model year. Digits 11 through 17 identify the assembly plant and the sequential production number.
For example, a VIN like 1HGCV54387A123456 breaks down as follows: 1HG is Honda in Japan, CV543 describes the model and features, 8 is the check digit, 7 is the model year (2007 or 1997), and 87A123456 identifies the plant and production sequence. Knowing how to read the 10th digit in this context helps you understand the full history and specifications of your vehicle. Each section of the VIN serves a specific purpose, and together they create a unique identifier for every vehicle ever manufactured.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find out the exact month my vehicle was made from the VIN?
No, the VIN does not include the month of manufacture. It only shows the model year. Some manufacturers print the build date on a sticker inside the driver's door jamb or on the engine block, but this information is not part of the VIN itself. You can contact the manufacturer directly with your VIN if you need the exact production date.
What if the 10th digit on my vehicle does not match my registration?
This usually means a data entry error when the vehicle was first registered. Contact your state's motor vehicle department with your VIN and registration number. They can correct the record. If the VIN itself appears altered or tampered with, contact local law enforcement, as this may indicate title fraud or a stolen vehicle.
Does the 10th digit tell me anything about the vehicle's condition or mileage?
No, the 10th digit only tells you the model year. It does not indicate how many miles the vehicle has, whether it has been in accidents, or how well it has been maintained. You need a vehicle history report from services like Carfax or AutoCheck to learn about past accidents, service records, and mileage history.
Why do some manufacturers use different year codes than the NHTSA standard?
All manufacturers in the United States follow the NHTSA standard for the 10th digit. However, vehicles made for export or sold in other countries may use different VIN formats. If you own a vehicle imported from another country, its VIN may not follow the standard U.S. code system.