The 10th character in your VIN tells you the model year
The 10th digit of your Vehicle Identification Number is a letter or number that corresponds to the year the vehicle was manufactured. This position is called the model year identifier. A 2015 car has a different character in position 10 than a 2016 car, even if they are otherwise identical.
The character system repeats every 30 years. This means the letter or number used for 1980 is the same as the one used for 2010, and the one for 1981 is the same as 2011. You will need to know the approximate decade of your vehicle to read the year correctly—a car from the 1980s and a car from the 2010s cannot be confused if you already know roughly when it was made.
Manufacturers do not always build cars in the calendar year they are assigned. A 2024 model year vehicle might have been built in late 2023. The VIN tells you the model year designation, not necessarily the calendar date of manufacture. If you need the exact month and day of production, you will need to check the door jamb label or contact the manufacturer directly.
Key Takeaways
- The 10th character of the VIN is a letter or number that represents the model year, using a repeating 30-year cycle.
- The year code repeats every 30 years, so you must know the approximate decade of your vehicle to read it correctly.
- A vehicle's model year (shown in the VIN) may differ from the calendar year it was actually built.
- You can cross-reference the 10th character against a year chart to find the exact model year of your vehicle.
The complete VIN year code chart
Below is the full 30-year cycle of model year codes. Find the character in position 10 of your VIN, then match it to the year in the column that corresponds to the decade your vehicle is from.
| Character | 1980–2009 | 2010–2039 |
|---|---|---|
| A | 1980 | 2010 |
| B | 1981 | 2011 |
| C | 1982 | 2012 |
| D | 1983 | 2013 |
| E | 1984 | 2014 |
| F | 1985 | 2015 |
| G | 1986 | 2016 |
| H | 1987 | 2017 |
| J | 1988 | 2018 |
| K | 1989 | 2019 |
| L | 1990 | 2020 |
| M | 1991 | 2021 |
| N | 1992 | 2022 |
| P | 1993 | 2023 |
| R | 1994 | 2024 |
| S | 1995 | 2025 |
| T | 1996 | 2026 |
| V | 1997 | 2027 |
| W | 1998 | 2028 |
| X | 1999 | 2029 |
| Y | 2000 | 2030 |
| 1 | 2001 | 2031 |
| 2 | 2002 | 2032 |
| 3 | 2003 | 2033 |
| 4 | 2004 | 2034 |
| 5 | 2005 | 2035 |
| 6 | 2006 | 2036 |
| 7 | 2007 | 2037 |
| 8 | 2008 | 2038 |
| 9 | 2009 | 2039 |
Notice that the letter I, O, Q, U, and Z do not appear in the year code. These letters are omitted to avoid confusion with numbers and other characters that might be misread on damaged or faded VINs.
How to locate the 10th character in your VIN
Your VIN is 17 characters long and appears in several places on your vehicle. The most common location is the lower left corner of the windshield, visible from outside the car. You can also find it on the driver's side door jamb, on your vehicle registration, insurance documents, and title.
Count from left to right: the first character is position 1, the second is position 2, and so on. The 10th character is the one you need. Write down the entire VIN first to avoid miscounting, then locate position 10 and note that single character.
If the VIN on your windshield is difficult to read due to sun damage or wear, check the door jamb label on the driver's side. Open the door fully and look at the frame where the door closes. The VIN is printed there and is usually better protected from the elements.
Why the year code matters for maintenance and repairs
Knowing your vehicle's model year helps you find the correct maintenance schedule, parts specifications, and repair procedures. A 2015 Honda Civic and a 2016 Honda Civic may look nearly identical, but they have different engine codes, transmission types, and electrical systems. Using the wrong service manual or ordering incompatible parts can lead to failed repairs or safety issues.
The model year also determines which recalls explore to your vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issues recalls by model year, make, and model. A recall for a 2015 model may not explore to a 2016 model of the same car, even though they appear almost identical. Reading your VIN correctly ensures you check for the right recalls.
What to do if the 10th character is unclear or missing
If the VIN on your windshield is too damaged to read, check the door jamb label first. If that is also illegible, contact your vehicle's manufacturer with your license plate number and registration. They can look up your vehicle in their database and confirm the model year.
You can also take your vehicle to a dealership or a certified mechanic. They have access to VIN decoding tools and can read the VIN from the engine block or frame if the visible labels are damaged. There is usually a small fee for this service, but it is faster than waiting for a manufacturer response.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a vehicle have a different model year than the calendar year it was built?
Yes. Manufacturers assign model years that may not match the calendar year of production. A 2024 model year vehicle might be built in September 2023. The VIN shows the model year designation, not the exact production date. If you need the specific month and day of manufacture, check the door jamb label or contact the manufacturer.
Why do some letters not appear in the year code?
The letters I, O, Q, U, and Z are excluded from the VIN system to prevent confusion with numbers and other characters. On a faded or damaged VIN, an I could be mistaken for a 1, or an O for a 0. Removing these letters reduces the chance of misreading the VIN.
What if I have a vehicle older than 1980 or newer than 2039?
Vehicles built before 1980 do not have a standardized VIN format. The modern 17-character VIN system began in 1981. For vehicles built in 2040 and beyond, the year code cycle will repeat again, so a 2040 model will use the same character as 1980 and 2010.
Does the model year affect insurance or registration costs?
Yes. Insurance premiums and registration fees often depend on the model year. Newer vehicles may have lower insurance rates due to safety features, while older vehicles may have lower registration fees. Your insurance company and state registration office use the model year from your VIN to calculate these costs.