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I’m in the process of buying a used car

Creation date: Aug 16, 2024 1:36am     Last modified date: Aug 16, 2024 1:36am   Last visit date: Dec 18, 2024 10:22am
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Aug 16, 2024  ( 1 post, 1 reply )  
8/16/2024
1:36am
Ezra Ball (ezraball100)

Hi everyone,

I’m in the process of buying a used car and want to ensure that I’m getting exactly what the seller claims. I’ve heard that the VIN can provide a lot of information about the vehicle, including the country where it was manufactured. Can someone explain how I can decode the VIN to find out the country of origin? Are there specific codes I should look for, and is there an easy way to do this? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

1:37am
Leo Vincey (leovincey40)

Great question! The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) https://stat.vin/vin-decoding indeed holds valuable information about a vehicle, including its country of origin. To determine the manufacturing country, you’ll need to focus on the first three characters of the VIN, which make up the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI). Here’s a quick guide to decoding these codes:

  1. United States: VINs starting with 1, 4, or 5. For example, 1HG indicates a Honda made in the U.S.

  2. Canada: VINs beginning with 2. For example, 2C3 is used for Chrysler vehicles manufactured in Canada.

  3. Mexico: VINs starting with 3. For example, 3G1 denotes Chevrolet vehicles made in Mexico.

  4. Germany: VINs starting with W. For instance, WBA represents BMW vehicles produced in Germany.

  5. Japan: VINs starting with J. For example, JHM is for Honda vehicles made in Japan.

  6. South Korea: VINs starting with K. For instance, KND indicates Kia vehicles produced in South Korea.

  7. France: VINs starting with VF. For example, VF1 is used for Renault vehicles manufactured in France.

  8. Italy: VINs beginning with Z. For instance, ZAR is used for Alfa Romeo vehicles made in Italy.

To decode the VIN yourself, you can use various online VIN decoding tools or apps. Simply enter the VIN, and the tool will break down the WMI along with other details, including the country of origin. This can be very helpful in verifying the vehicle’s authenticity and ensuring it matches the seller’s claims.