The VIN tells you the model year in the 10th position
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a 17-character code stamped on your car's frame and listed on your title and registration. The 10th character — counting from the left — is a letter or number that represents the model year. This single character is your fastest way to find out what year a vehicle was made, without needing to contact the dealer or run the full VIN through a database.
The year code repeats every 30 years because there are only 10 digits (0–9) and 24 usable letters (I, O, Q, and Z are skipped). A car from 1980 and a car from 2010 both have the same year code in the 10th position, so you need to know the approximate age of the vehicle to read it correctly. For vehicles made after 2009, the pattern is straightforward: 2010 is "A", 2011 is "B", and so on through 2039.
Key Takeaways
- The 10th character of the VIN shows the model year; count from the left and ignore spaces or hyphens.
- For 2010 onward, the code runs A through Y (skipping I, O, Q, Z), then repeats starting in 2040.
- Vehicles made between 1980 and 2009 use the same year codes, so you need to know the approximate decade to read the code correctly.
- The VIN appears on your title, registration, insurance card, and the driver's side dashboard near the windshield.
How to locate and read the 10th character
Find your VIN first. It is printed on your vehicle registration and title documents. On the car itself, look at the driver's side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield — you can often read it from outside without opening the door. Your insurance card and loan documents also carry the full VIN.
Once you have the VIN in front of you, count 10 characters from the left. Ignore any spaces or hyphens; count only the letters and numbers. The 10th position will be a single letter or digit. That character is your year code. Write it down or take a photo so you do not lose it.
Cross-reference that character against the year code chart below. If the vehicle is newer than 2009, the chart is straightforward. If the vehicle is older, you will need to know whether it was made in the 1980s–1990s or 2000s to know which year the code represents.
Year code chart for 2010 to 2039
| Year Code | Model Year | Year Code | Model Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 2010 | N | 2023 |
| B | 2011 | P | 2024 |
| C | 2012 | R | 2025 |
| D | 2013 | S | 2026 |
| E | 2014 | T | 2027 |
| F | 2015 | V | 2028 |
| G | 2016 | W | 2029 |
| H | 2017 | X | 2030 |
| J | 2018 | Y | 2031 |
| K | 2019 | 1 | 2032 |
| L | 2020 | 2 | 2033 |
| M | 2021 | 3 | 2034 |
| 2 | 2022 | 4 | 2035 |
Notice that the letters I, O, Q, and Z do not appear in the code. The sequence jumps from H to J, from N to P, from T to V, and from Y to 1. This is standard across all manufacturers.
Reading year codes for vehicles made before 2010
Vehicles manufactured between 1980 and 2009 use the same year codes as 2010–2039, but shifted back 30 years. For example, if the 10th character is "A", the vehicle was made in either 2010 or 1980. If the 10th character is "L", it was made in either 2020 or 1990.
To determine which decade, look at the overall condition of the vehicle, check the odometer, or look up other details in the VIN. The first three characters (the World Manufacturer Identifier, or WMI) and the 8th character (the engine type) can also help narrow down the year. If you are unsure, a mechanic or the vehicle's title document will confirm the actual year.
Vehicles made before 1980 do not have a standardized 17-character VIN. If you are researching a classic car, contact the manufacturer directly or consult a classic car registry.
Why manufacturers use this system
The VIN year code is part of a larger standardized system called the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) system, adopted internationally in 1981. The 10th position was chosen because it sits in the middle of the VIN and is straightforward to locate. By using letters and numbers instead of just the last two digits of the year, manufacturers avoid confusion — a "10" could mean 1910, 2010, or 2110.
The 30-year cycle exists because there are only 24 usable letters and 10 digits, totaling 34 possible codes. Manufacturers decided 30 years was long enough that a vehicle from 1980 and a vehicle from 2010 would rarely be confused in practice. If you are buying a used car or researching a vehicle's history, knowing this system helps you spot inconsistencies in the paperwork.
What to do if the 10th character does not match the title
If the year code in the VIN does not match the year printed on your title or registration, there may be a clerical error, or the vehicle may have been rebuilt or salvaged. Check that you counted the 10th position correctly — it is straightforward to miscount if the VIN has spaces or hyphens.
If you counted correctly and the codes still do not match, contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles with the VIN and title number. They can investigate whether there is a discrepancy in the registration system or whether the vehicle has a branded title (salvage, rebuilt, flood, etc.). A mismatch can affect the vehicle's value and insurability, so it is worth clarifying before buying or selling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find the year without looking at the physical VIN?
Yes. Your vehicle registration, title, insurance card, and loan documents all print the full VIN. You do not need to go outside to read it from the dashboard. If you have lost all your paperwork, your insurance company or lender can provide the VIN over the phone.
What if the VIN has spaces or hyphens in it?
Ignore them. Count only the letters and numbers. A VIN printed as "1G1FB1S52D1234567" and "1G1 FB1 S52 D1234567" are the same — the 10th character is "D" in both cases.
Does every manufacturer use the same year code system?
Yes. All manufacturers worldwide have used the same 17-character VIN format and year code system since 1981. The 10th position means the same thing whether the car is a Ford, Toyota, BMW, or Volkswagen.
What if the 10th character is a number instead of a letter?
Numbers appear in the year code starting in 2032. A "1" means 2032, a "2" means 2033, and so on. The system switches from letters to numbers after 2031 (Y) because there are only 24 usable letters.
Can I use the VIN to find other information about the vehicle?
Yes. The first three characters identify the manufacturer and country of origin. The 8th character usually indicates the engine type. The last six characters are the serial number unique to that specific vehicle. However, decoding the full VIN requires a manufacturer-specific guide, whereas the year code is the same across all brands.