The VIN year code is the 10th character from the left, and it corresponds to a letter that tells you the vehicle's model year
The 10th position in any Vehicle Identification Number uses a single letter to represent the year the vehicle was manufactured. The letter cycles through the alphabet (excluding I, O, Q, U, X, and Z) on a 30-year loop, then repeats. So the letter Y represents 2000, and the cycle started over with A in 2010. This means a 2024 vehicle has the letter E in the 10th position.
You do not need to memorize the code. Once you know which position to look at and what year you are checking for, you can verify the match in seconds. The year code is one of the most straightforward pieces of information hidden in a VIN — far simpler than decoding the manufacturer or plant location.
Key Takeaways
- The 10th character of a VIN is always a letter that represents the model year, using a 30-year cycle that repeats.
- The letters I, O, Q, U, X, and Z are never used in the year code to avoid confusion with numbers.
- The cycle began with A in 2010 and will begin again with A in 2040, so the same letter appears twice per 60 years.
- You can cross-check the year code against the vehicle's registration, title, or odometer reading to catch VIN tampering.
How the 30-year VIN year code cycle works
The year code repeats every 30 years because there are 24 usable letters in the English alphabet (26 minus I, O, Q, U, X, and Z). The cycle runs from A through Y, then starts over. The current cycle began in 2010 with the letter A and will end in 2039 with the letter Y. In 2040, the cycle resets to A again.
This means that a vehicle with the letter A in the 10th position could be from 1980, 2010, or 2040 — but you can narrow it down by looking at the vehicle's condition, the odometer, and the registration documents. A car that claims to be a 1980 model but has 15,000 miles and a 2024 registration is obviously not from 1980.
VIN year code chart for current and recent vehicles
| Year | Code Letter |
|---|---|
| 2010 | A |
| 2011 | B |
| 2012 | C |
| 2013 | D |
| 2014 | E |
| 2015 | F |
| 2016 | G |
| 2017 | H |
| 2018 | J |
| 2019 | K |
| 2020 | L |
| 2021 | M |
| 2022 | N |
| 2023 | P |
| 2024 | R |
| 2025 | S |
Notice that the code skips I (which looks like 1), O (which looks like 0), Q, U, X, and Z. This prevents confusion when reading a VIN by hand or over the phone. If you see one of those letters in the 10th position, the VIN has been altered or is not a standard North American vehicle.
Where to find the year code on your vehicle
The VIN appears in multiple places on every vehicle. The most common location is on a metal plate on the driver's side of the dashboard, visible through the windshield from outside the car. You can also find it on the driver's side door jamb, on the vehicle's registration and title documents, and on insurance cards.
Count 10 characters from the left, starting with the first letter or number. The 10th character is your year code. For example, if the VIN is 1HGCV41JXMN109186, the 10th character is X — but wait, X should never appear in that position. This would indicate a problem with the VIN or a vehicle that does not follow standard North American coding.
Why the year code matters for recalls and ownership verification
The year code is one of the first things a recall database uses to determine whether a specific vehicle is affected. If a manufacturer recalls all 2019 models of a particular car, the database searches for all VINs with K in the 10th position for that make and model. If your VIN shows a different year code, you may not be notified even if your vehicle has the same problem.
The year code also helps catch odometer fraud and title washing. If a seller claims a vehicle is a 2015 model but the VIN shows F in the 10th position (which is correct for 2015), that is a good sign. If the VIN shows a different letter, the vehicle's actual year may not match what the seller told you. Cross-checking the year code against the title and registration is a quick way to spot inconsistencies before you buy.
What to do if the year code does not match the registration
If the year code in the VIN does not match the year printed on the vehicle's registration or title, do not ignore it. This could mean the title has been altered, the VIN has been tampered with, or there is a clerical error in the registration. Contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles with the VIN and the registration documents to clarify which year is correct.
If you are buying a used vehicle and notice this mismatch, ask the seller for an explanation before completing the purchase. A legitimate seller should be able to show you the original title or provide documentation of why the years differ. If they cannot, walk away — the vehicle may have a salvage title, flood damage history, or other serious issues that have been hidden.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I tell what year a car is just by looking at the 10th character?
Yes, but only if you know which 30-year cycle the vehicle falls into. A car with E in the 10th position could be from 2014 or 1984. You need additional information like the registration, odometer, or condition of the vehicle to pinpoint the exact year.
What if a VIN has I, O, Q, U, X, or Z in the 10th position?
That VIN is not valid under standard North American coding rules. The vehicle may be imported, the VIN may have been altered, or there is an error in how it was recorded. Have the VIN verified by a dealer or your state's DMV before relying on it.
Does the year code tell me when the car was sold or registered?
No. The year code represents the model year, which is when the vehicle was manufactured. A 2024 model car (R in the 10th position) may have been built in late 2023 and sold in early 2024. The registration date is separate and appears on your title and registration documents.
How do I use the year code to check for recalls?
Once you know the year from the 10th character, go to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website at safercar.gov and enter your full VIN. The site will show all recalls for your specific vehicle, filtered by the year code and other VIN information.