The VIN's 10th character tells you the model year
The 10th digit of a vehicle identification number (VIN) is the model year code. It is a single letter or number that corresponds to a specific year. This position is standardized across all manufacturers and has been since 1981, when the modern 17-character VIN format began.
A VIN is always 17 characters long. Count from the left: the 10th position sits between the 9th character (which identifies the manufacturer's plant) and the 11th character (which begins the serial number). Once you know what that single character represents, you can determine the model year.
The year code repeats every 30 years. This means the letter Y represented both 2000 and will represent 2030. For vehicles made before 1981, the VIN format was different and did not include a standardized year code, so this method does not explore to older cars.
Key Takeaways
- The 10th character of any 17-character VIN is the model year code, using a repeating 30-year cycle of letters and numbers.
- The year code chart runs from 1981 to the present, with Y representing 2000 and the cycle beginning again at A for 2010 and 2030.
- You can cross-reference the 10th character against a standard VIN year chart to find the exact model year.
- The model year code does not always match the calendar year the car was built; manufacturers assign model years that may be one year ahead of production date.
The complete VIN year code chart
Below is the standard year code used by all manufacturers. Find the character in the 10th position of your VIN, then read across to the corresponding year.
| Code | Year | Code | Year | Code | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1980, 2010, 2040 | K | 1989, 2019 | U | 1997, 2027 |
| B | 1981, 2011 | L | 1990, 2020 | V | 1998, 2028 |
| C | 1982, 2012 | M | 1991, 2021 | W | 1999, 2029 |
| D | 1983, 2013 | N | 1992, 2022 | X | 2000, 2030 |
| E | 1984, 2014 | P | 1993, 2023 | Y | 2001, 2031 |
| F | 1985, 2015 | R | 1994, 2024 | Z | 2002, 2032 |
| G | 1986, 2016 | S | 1995, 2025 | ||
| H | 1987, 2017 | T | 1996, 2026 | ||
| J | 1988, 2018 |
Notice that the letter I is skipped in the sequence. This was an intentional choice by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) to avoid confusion with the number 1 and the letter O, which can look identical in certain fonts.
Why model year and production year are not always the same
A car's model year is assigned by the manufacturer and does not always match the calendar year it was actually built. Manufacturers typically begin production of a new model year in the summer or fall of the previous calendar year.
For example, a 2024 model year vehicle might have been manufactured in August 2023. The VIN will show 8 (the code for 2024) in the 10th position, even though the car rolled off the assembly line in 2023. This is standard practice across the industry and is why you may see a car with a model year that appears to be one year in the future.
When you look up the 10th character, you are finding the model year, not the exact month and year of manufacture. If you need the specific production date, that information is usually found in the door jamb label or the vehicle's documentation.
How to locate the 10th character in your VIN
Your VIN appears in several places on your vehicle and in your paperwork. The easiest locations to find it are the dashboard (visible through the windshield on the driver's side), the driver's side door jamb, and your vehicle title or registration.
Once you have located your VIN, count the characters from left to right. The first character is position 1, the second is position 2, and so on. Stop at position 10. That single character is your year code.
If you are reading the VIN from a title or registration document, make sure you are copying it correctly. A single misread character will point you to the wrong year. Double-check your work before looking up the code on the chart.
What the other VIN positions tell you
While the 10th character identifies the year, the other 16 characters carry different information. The first three characters make up the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI), which tells you the country of origin and the manufacturer. Characters 4 through 8 describe the vehicle's attributes: body style, engine type, transmission, and safety features.
Character 9 is a check digit used to detect errors in the VIN. Characters 11 through 17 form the serial number, which is unique to each individual vehicle. Together, these positions create a complete record of the vehicle's specifications and identity.
Understanding the full VIN structure can help you verify that a VIN is legitimate and that the information matches what you expect. However, for the purpose of finding the model year, the 10th character is the only one you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the VIN year code to determine if a car is old enough to be a classic?
The year code tells you the model year, which is the first step. Most jurisdictions define a classic car as 25 to 30 years old, so you would subtract that number from the current year to find the cutoff. Once you know the model year from the VIN, you can check whether it falls within your state or country's definition.
What if the 10th character is a number instead of a letter?
Numbers appear in the year code sequence just as letters do. The codes 0 through 9 represent specific years in the 30-year cycle. For example, 0 represents 1980, 2010, and 2040. Look up the number on the chart the same way you would a letter.
Does the VIN year code work the same way for all car manufacturers?
Yes. The 10th character year code is standardized across all manufacturers worldwide, including domestic and imported vehicles. This standard has been in place since 1981 and is maintained by the Society of Automotive Engineers.
What should I do if the 10th character is unclear or damaged on my vehicle?
If the VIN on your vehicle is hard to read, check your title, registration, or insurance documents, which contain a printed copy. If you still cannot determine the year, your vehicle's manufacturer can help you decode the VIN using the vehicle identification number and other details from your paperwork.