How to Read Heavy Truck VINs


1. Count the digits in the VIN from the title to verify it has 17 characters. If it has less the vehicle was manufactured prior to 1981.
2. Identify the first character in the VIN. This indicates what country the truck was manufactured in. The following table has the appropriate codes:1, 4, 5 -- USA made2 -- Canada made3, 9 -- Mexico made6 -- Australia madeJ -- Japan madeK -- Korea madeS -- England madeT, W -- Germany madeV -- France madeY -- Finland, Sweden madeZ -- Italy made
3. Identify the second character in the VIN. This character identifies the specific manufacturer. The following table has the codes:1 -- Chevrolet2 -- Pontiac3 -- Oldsmobile4 -- Buick5 -- Pontiac6 -- Cadillac7 -- GM Canada8 -- SaturnA -- Audi or JaguarB -- BMW or DodgeC -- ChryslerD -- Mercedes BenzF -- FordG -- General MotorsH -- HondaL -- LincolnM -- MercuryN -- NissanP -- PlymouthT -- ToyotaV -- Volvo
4. Review the VIN table for the specific manufacturer. Items such as gross vehicle weight, body type, assembly plant and engine type are commonly identified by a specific code in a specific location.
5. Compare the VIN numbers and letters, by position to the correct table. An example for a Ford heavy-duty truck VIN could be 1FTLP62W4WH128703.