GreenSalvage provides a Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN code, for every car listed for auction. This number is a unique set of characters assigned to every vehicle on the road within North America, Europe, and many other countries. The VIN, much like a license plate, is the primary method used to track every vehicle’s unique history. VIN codes became standardized as a 17-digit code, brimming with important information, beginning in 1981.

But what does the VIN code actually mean? It’s not just a random series of characters. Instead, it is broken into three sections, which each provide important information to mechanics making repairs, and car manufacturers in the event of a recall.

The VIN Secret Decoder Ring

The VIN is composed of 3 main sections:

• First three characters: World Manufacturer Identifier

The first three characters indicate the country where vehicle was manufactured and by what company. For example, if the first number is a digit between 1 and 5, the vehicle was built in North America. The second two characters indicate the manufacturer of the vehicle. You can read a full list of these codes here.

• Characters 4 through 9: Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)

These characters are used to identify the vehicle type, engine, and may include information on the model and the body style. The 9th digit is always a check digit. A mathematical formula generates this digit to help verify there is no error in the VIN when someone wants to research it.

• Characters 10 through 17: Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS)

These positions are used by the manufacturer to identify the individual vehicle. This will always include the year of the vehicle and the specific plant where the vehicle was manufactured. The remaining characters are assigned by the manufacturer as a unique serial number.

At first glance a VIN code may appear as a random string of letters and numbers, but is actually a worldwide standard where every character carries a specific meaning. GreenSalvage always provides these VIN codes on every lot listing. For more information you can get a full vehicle history report based upon the VIN number from a reputable company such as ClearVIN.com.