The 10th position in a VIN is a single letter or number that represents the vehicle's model year
The 10th digit of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a code that tells you what year the vehicle was manufactured. It is not the same as the calendar year — a 2024 model year car might have been built in late 2023. The 10th position uses a repeating cycle of letters and numbers that manufacturers and regulators use to track production across decades.
This digit matters when you are checking a vehicle's history, verifying its age against the odometer reading, or understanding what safety features and emissions standards it should meet. It is one of the most straightforward parts of the VIN to read once you know the pattern.
Key Takeaways
- The 10th digit cycles through letters A through Y (skipping I, O, Q, U, and Z) and then repeats every 30 years.
- A = 2010 or 1980; B = 2011 or 1981; C = 2012 or 1982, and so on through the alphabet.
- To find the 10th digit, count from the left side of the VIN: it sits between the 9th digit (check digit) and the 11th digit (series code).
- The model year code does not tell you the exact month of manufacture, only the year assigned by the manufacturer.
- You can cross-check the 10th digit against the vehicle's title, registration, or a vehicle history report to spot odometer fraud or title washing.
How to locate the 10th digit in a VIN
A VIN is always 17 characters long. The 10th position is the 10th character when you read from left to right. If you have the VIN written out, straightforward count 10 spaces from the beginning and mark that letter or number.
On a physical vehicle, the VIN is printed on a metal plate mounted on the driver's side of the dashboard, visible through the windshield from outside. It is also stamped on the driver's side door jamb, on the engine block, and on the frame. The dashboard VIN is the easiest to read without tools. On a title or registration document, the VIN appears near the top of the page.
Example VIN: 1HGCV41JXMN109186. Counting from the left: 1-H-G-C-V-4-1-J-X-M. The 10th digit is M, which represents 2021 or 1991 depending on the vehicle's actual age.
The 10th digit model year chart
| 10th Digit | Model Year (Recent Cycle) | Model Year (Previous Cycle) |
|---|---|---|
| A | 2010 | 1980 |
| B | 2011 | 1981 |
| C | 2012 | 1982 |
| D | 2013 | 1983 |
| E | 2014 | 1984 |
| F | 2015 | 1985 |
| G | 2016 | 1986 |
| H | 2017 | 1987 |
| J | 2018 | 1988 |
| K | 2019 | 1989 |
| L | 2020 | 1990 |
| M | 2021 | 1991 |
| N | 2022 | 1992 |
| P | 2023 | 1993 |
| R | 2024 | 1994 |
| S | 2025 | 1995 |
| T | 2026 | 1996 |
| V | 2027 | 1997 |
| W | 2028 | 1998 |
| X | 2029 | 1999 |
| Y | 2030 | 2000 |
Notice that the letters I, O, Q, U, and Z are never used. This is intentional — these letters can be confused with numbers (I looks like 1, O looks like 0, Q looks like O, U looks like V, and Z looks like 2) and were excluded to prevent transcription errors.
The cycle repeats every 30 years. A vehicle with a 10th digit of A could be from 1980, 2010, or 2040. To determine which, you need to know the vehicle's actual age from other sources: the title, the seller's history, or a vehicle history report.
Why the 10th digit matters when buying a used vehicle
The model year code is one of the first things to check when you are considering a used car. If the seller claims the vehicle is a 2015 model but the 10th digit is N (2022), that is a red flag for title washing, odometer fraud, or a vehicle that has been rebuilt after a total loss.
Cross-referencing the 10th digit against the title and the odometer reading can reveal inconsistencies. A 2015 vehicle (F in the 10th position) should have between 80,000 and 150,000 miles on it by 2024, depending on driving habits. If a car claiming to be a 2015 has 20,000 miles and the 10th digit shows it is actually a 2022, the mileage makes sense — but the title is wrong.
Vehicle history reports from services like Carfax or AutoCheck pull the model year from the VIN and cross-check it against insurance records, registration records, and service records. If there is a mismatch, the report will flag it.
The difference between model year and build year
The 10th digit tells you the model year, not the exact date the vehicle rolled off the assembly line. Manufacturers assign a model year to a vehicle based on when it was intended for sale, not when it was physically built.
A 2024 model year vehicle might have been manufactured in September 2023. A 2023 model year vehicle might have been built in July 2023 or December 2022. The model year is a marketing and regulatory designation, not a precise timestamp.
If you need the exact build date, that information is usually found in the 10th and 11th digits together, or in a separate build date code printed elsewhere on the vehicle (often on the door jamb or under the hood). The VIN alone does not provide the month or day of manufacture.
How to verify the 10th digit against other documents
When you receive a title or registration, the model year should match the 10th digit of the VIN. If it does not, contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles before completing a purchase. Some states will not issue a title until the discrepancy is resolved.
If you are buying from a private seller, request a copy of the title and registration before viewing the vehicle. Compare the model year on those documents to the 10th digit. If they match, you have a baseline. If they do not, ask the seller for an explanation in writing.
A vehicle history report will also show the model year and flag any changes to it across different records. If the title says 2015 but insurance records show 2022, the report will note that inconsistency. This is one of the most reliable ways to spot a problem before you hand over money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the 10th digit tell me the exact month the car was built?
No. The 10th digit only tells you the model year. The month and day of manufacture are not encoded in the VIN. Some manufacturers print a separate build date code on the door jamb or engine block, but that is not part of the standard VIN.
What if the 10th digit does not match the year on the title?
This is a serious problem. It may indicate title washing, odometer fraud, or a clerical error. Do not complete the purchase until you have contacted your state's DMV and received written clarification. A vehicle history report can help identify which records are correct.
Does the 10th digit change if a car is rebuilt after an accident?
No. The VIN, including the 10th digit, is permanent and does not change. However, the title will be marked as "rebuilt" or "salvage" if the vehicle was declared a total loss. The model year stays the same.
Why are letters I, O, Q, U, and Z skipped in the 10th digit?
These letters are excluded because they can be easily confused with numbers or other letters during transcription. I looks like 1, O looks like 0, Q looks like O, U looks like V, and Z looks like 2. Removing them reduces errors when VINs are written down or read aloud.
If a car is from 2000, what is the 10th digit?
A 2000 model year vehicle has a Y in the 10th position. The cycle then repeats: 2001 is A, 2002 is B, and so on. This is why you need additional context to distinguish a 2000 from a 1970 or a 2030 — the 10th digit alone is not enough.