Useful information: decoding the car's car code

In the mass production of a large number of vehicle models, a formalized accounting and identification system is needed. This also applies to the organization of service and car ownership. Already at the dawn of the automotive industry, each company introduced special identification signs and numbers that were knocked out on large parts: chassis, bodies, engines and the like.

The processes of globalization of the world economy led to the need for international standards in the designation of cars. Deciphering the VIN-code allows to establish all the basic data about the machine of a technical and legal nature. Practice shows that the search for a stolen vehicle for such an identifier gives the best results. It is especially convenient to use such a system in the context of the emergence and rapid development of information technology and the worldwide Internet.

The stages of the introduction of the international identification system

Standardization in this area began in the eighties of the last century. Before that time, each manufacturing company had its own vehicle marking system. So, the decoding of the Audi "Audi" code, consisting of only seven figures, allowed to determine the chassis number of the car, the date of its release, as well as some specifications of the model.

These numbers were applied to the bodywork and some fairly large and expensive machine units. Since 1983, it was decided to move to a new identification system, the same for all automakers. The identifier was introduced by the international standard ISO 3779-1983, the founders of which were 24 countries. The system was considerably complicated and consisted of 17 characters. Moreover, in addition to numbers, letters were introduced.

The list of aggregates subject to mandatory identification has been reduced. If previously the number was applied to the body, chassis and engine, now only the first node is marked. The International Organization for Standardization approved the situation, and our country joined it. This allowed to bring the products of the domestic automotive industry to international markets.

Composition of the VIN code

Vehicle Identification Number is the official name, which is translated into Russian as " vehicle identification number ". The interpretation of the VIN code, consisting of three main parts, looks like this:

1. Index of the manufacturer of the world - WMI, a unique designation of the country of the manufacturer.
2. The descriptive group - VDS, contains the encoding of the company and the model of the vehicle and its main characteristics.
3. The distinctive group - VIS, is actually the serial number of the machine.

So, the decoding of the VIN code of Volkswagen will be this: the combination of the first three characters is assigned to the country - Germany. The next six digits carry information about the company itself - Volkswagen. Some of the letters and numbers can be used to indicate the location of the branch and the like. The last group of 8 characters represents the individual number of the car.

According to the international standard, the final series of four symbols should consist exclusively of numbers. Otherwise, the provisions of this document are of a recommendatory nature. Thus, the model year, or rather its designation, can be encoded by the first two digits, and the marking of the assembly conveyor production by the subsequent one or two characters.

The definition of such an important indicator as the time of release of the machine, according to the code is not always possible. It may not coincide with the model year. This is due to the peculiarities of the organization of the technological process in each particular company. This circumstance may somewhat complicate the determination of the physical age of the vehicle. Deciphering the car's wine code allows to establish in many cases not only the year, but also the month of release.

The international standard ISO 3779-1983 recommended the 10th position for the release date. Most companies adhere to this provision, but there are exceptions to this rule. For example, the European branches of the company "Ford" for these purposes use signs with serial numbers 11 and 12. At the same time, first the year breaks, and then the month, the temporary designations can be numerical or alphabetic in accordance with the table fixed by the standard.

Placement of VIN code

The standards strictly rigidly regulate the rules of recording the identifying number in official documents and on the product. First of all, regardless of how you write the code: in one or two lines, no spaces are allowed. All Arabic numerals from 0 to 9, as well as practically all the letters of the Latin alphabet, except for three: I, O and Q, are used in the outline. This is done to avoid confusion - their form resembles numbers.

Decoding of the "Mercedes" WINE code, placed on a special platform at the front passenger seat, can be made on the official computer base of the manufacturer. In addition, this number is duplicated on a special plate placed on the shelf of the front panel under the hood or on the right vertical stand in the lower part.

BMW VIN code: car placement and reading features

The Bavarian company has representative offices and enterprises in the European Union, North America, Russia and South-East Asia. Each branch has its own marking. So, the enterprises located in the New World are marked with figures 1,4 and 5, and also the letter of the Latin alphabet U. The decoding of BMW's fault code, starting from the first signs, gives an idea of the geographical position of the assembly enterprise.

The third position defines the class of the vehicle, and the next four describe the technical characteristics of the model. A special code prescribes the type of car body, the number of cylinders and the type of engine, and most importantly - the model. Marking is carried out in the places specified by the manufacturer, namely on the rear wall of the engine compartment, under the rear seat, on the processor cover and on the outside of the wheel house.

VIN code: application technology

The practice of applying a variety of markings to nodes and individual parts has a long history. Their main task is to reliably identify products and complicate counterfeits. Deciphering the VIN-code gives the most complete information about the car. The main technology of applying them to the metal of the body is stamping. The number is knocked out with a special cliche. Forgery in this case is possible only by replacing a large fragment or an entire part.

Opel VIN code: basic information and location

Marking of bodies is carried out in accordance with the requirements of the international standard. According to special tables developed by the specialists of the concern, the decryption of the wine code is carried out. "Opel" has two plates: one under the hood, the other on the door pillar under the counterpart of the lock. In addition, the numbers on the panel under the windshield and on the radiator frame are knocked out.

VIN-code Toyota: features of accommodation

The Japanese manufacturer and its subsidiaries adhere to the generally accepted vehicle identification system. Special tables and databases are used to decrypt the code. "Toyota" has a standard placement of marking: on the front panel on the engine compartment side and under the driver's feet.

Some peculiarities of the application of standards

Practice shows that most automakers adhere strictly to the rules for marking their products. However, there are a number of features. So, the European branch of the company "Ford" for identification introduced additional data on the time of release. The month of issue and year are indicated at the 10th and 11th positions of the VIN code. Other companies have similar deviations.

The main purposes of vehicle identification

At first, when the production of cars was small, there was no need to take any special measures. The increase in production volumes, as well as the diversity of models, contributed to this need. However, the solution of technological problems is not the only sphere. The interpretation of the VIN-code allows us to identify the ownership of the transport and its legal status. The presence of large number of parts greatly complicates the use and resale of stolen vehicles.