VIN Model Year Guide
How I Use VINs to Confirm a Vehicle's Model Year
At Tabak Law Firm, I often hear from potential clients who think their vehicle’s model year is different from what’s officially recorded. If a dealer advertised the car as one model year but the VIN proves otherwise, the buyer may have a valid misrepresentation claim. That said, in most cases, confusion stems from misunderstanding how model years are determined. The truth is, the 10th character in the vehicle’s 17-character VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) definitively identifies the model year. This standardized system has been in place since 1981, and I use it regularly to resolve disputes with clear, verifiable proof.
Understanding the VIN Structure
A VIN is a unique code assigned to each vehicle, and each section of the code has meaning:
- Characters 1–3: Manufacturer and country of origin
- Characters 4–8: Vehicle features like model, body style, and engine type
- Character 9: A check digit to verify the VIN
- Character 10: The model year
- Character 11: Assembly plant
- Characters 12–17: Vehicle’s unique serial number
Decoding the 10th Character: The Model Year
The 10th character of the VIN tells you the model year of the vehicle. Here’s how to read it:
Code | Year | Code | Year | Code | Year | Code | Year |
A | 1980 | L | 1990 | Y | 2000 | A | 2010 |
B | 1981 | M | 1991 | 1 | 2001 | B | 2011 |
C | 1982 | N | 1992 | 2 | 2002 | C | 2012 |
D | 1983 | P | 1993 | 3 | 2003 | D | 2013 |
E | 1984 | R | 1994 | 4 | 2004 | E | 2014 |
F | 1985 | S | 1995 | 5 | 2005 | F | 2015 |
G | 1986 | T | 1996 | 6 | 2006 | G | 2016 |
H | 1987 | V | 1997 | 7 | 2007 | H | 2017 |
J | 1988 | W | 1998 | 8 | 2008 | J | 2018 |
K | 1989 | X | 1999 | 9 | 2009 | K | 2019 |
L | 2020 | M | 2021 | N | 2022 | P | 2023 |
R | 2024 | S | 2025 | T | 2026 | V | 2027 |
W | 2028 | X | 2029 |
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Note: The letters I, O, Q, U, and Z are skipped in VINs to avoid confusion with similar-looking numbers.
Why This Matters
I use this method to ensure:
- The model year is accurate on titles and registrations
- Insurance details match the actual year
- Clients understand their vehicle’s true resale value
If there’s a conflict between paperwork and the VIN, I go with what the VIN says—it’s the definitive answer.
Want to Double-Check?
You can use the official NHTSA VIN Decoder to verify your vehicle's details: https://vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov/decoder/