How long should the VIN number be?

17 characters
If you’re wondering how long is a VIN number, in most cases it’s supposed to be 17 characters long — made up of numbers and letters. But what if your VIN isn’t 17 characters? Well, it could mean that your car was manufactured before 1981 when the standard was set for the 17 character vehicle code.

Are all VIN numbers 17 characters?

Since 1981, VIN numbers are always composed of 17 digits consisting of numbers and letters. These digits are listed on a small tag, usually located on the driver’s side of the dashboard, visible when looking through the windshield from outside.

Can a VIN be 10 digits?

A vehicle’s identification number (VIN) is a unique identifier. The most common VIN format is the 17-digit VIN, which became standard for all vehicles manufactured since January 1981. Vehicles manufactured prior to 1981 may have as few as 5 digits to as many as 13 digits.

What does each digit in a VIN mean?

Share. Tweet. A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a 17-digit code, comprised of capital letters and numbers, that uniquely identifies a vehicle. Each letter and number provide specific pieces of information about your vehicle including the year, make, model, engine size, and manufacturer.

How far back do VIN numbers go?

The standardized length for modern VINs is 17 digits. This format prevents any two vehicles produced within 30 years of each other from having the same VIN number.

Can a VIN be shorter than 17 digits?

2. Your VIN isn’t 17 digits long. As of the model year (MY) 1981, the NHTSA required all vehicles manufactured for road use to be assigned a 17-digit VIN number. So, any vehicles manufactured in 1981 or later with VINs shorter than 17 characters are invalid.

How many letters and numbers are in a VIN number?

Vehicles from model year 1981 to present have a VIN made up of 17 characters (letters and numbers). The prior VIN length and format varied among vehicles. The VIN can often be found on the lower-left corner of the dashboard, in front of the steering wheel.

How many characters are in a 1970 VIN number?

In 1970 a 10-digit VIN became standard.