How to Check an Engine's VIN Number

Standardized by the National Highway Traffic and Safety administration in 1980, the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) can be used to identify any vehicle manufactured since that year. This 17-character combination of numbers and letters will identify the country of manufacture and vehicle's make and model. Additional information varies by manufacturer and vehicle type. The VIN is stamped on at least 12 locations of the vehicle, including the engine.

Instructions

1

Verify that the VIN on the engine matches the VIN listed on the title, proving the engine is original to the vehicle. The first number or letter of the VIN indicates the country of manufacture:

USA -- 1 or 4

Canada -- 2

Mexico -- 3

Japan -- J

Korea -- K

England -- S

Germany -- W

Italy -- Z

2

Identify the second number or letter, indicating the specific manufacturer:

Audi -- A

Buick -- 4

Cadillac -- 6

Chevrolet -- 1

Chrysler - C

Dodge -- B

Ford -- F

GM Canada -- 7

General Motors -- G

Honda -- H

Lincoln -- L

Mercedes Benz -- D

Mercury -- M

Nissan -- N

Oldsmobile -- 3

Pontiac -- 2 or 5

Plymouth -- P

Saturn -- 8

Toyota -- T

Volvo -- V

3

Review a VIN decoder table for the specific manufacturer of the vehicle for details on the remaining characters.