VIN Reference
VIN Year Chart
Last reviewed July 2026 · Updated for the 2026 model year (code T)
The 10th character of a 17-character VIN is the model-year code. It uses letters and numbers but never I, O, Q, U, Z or the digit 0. The code cycle repeats every 30 years, so a single code maps to two possible years (for example, T = 1996 or 2026). The rule is defined by U.S. federal regulation 49 CFR § 565.15.
VIN model year codes (position 10)
Year codes skip the letters I, O, Q, U, and Z and the digit 0 to avoid confusion with other characters.
| Year code | Model year |
|---|---|
| A | 1980 / 2010 |
| B | 1981 / 2011 |
| C | 1982 / 2012 |
| D | 1983 / 2013 |
| E | 1984 / 2014 |
| F | 1985 / 2015 |
| G | 1986 / 2016 |
| H | 1987 / 2017 |
| J | 1988 / 2018 |
| K | 1989 / 2019 |
| L | 1990 / 2020 |
| M | 1991 / 2021 |
| N | 1992 / 2022 |
| P | 1993 / 2023 |
| R | 1994 / 2024 |
| S | 1995 / 2025 |
| T | 1996 / 2026 |
| V | 1997 / 2027 |
| W | 1998 / 2028 |
| X | 1999 / 2029 |
| Y | 2000 / 2030 |
| 1 | 2001 / 2031 |
| 2 | 2002 / 2032 |
| 3 | 2003 / 2033 |
| 4 | 2004 / 2034 |
| 5 | 2005 / 2035 |
| 6 | 2006 / 2036 |
| 7 | 2007 / 2037 |
| 8 | 2008 / 2038 |
| 9 | 2009 / 2039 |
The 7th-character rule
Because a year code repeats every 30 years, you need one more clue to know the exact year. For passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles (MPVs), and trucks with a GVWR of 10,000 lb or less, the 7th VIN character resolves it:
- Position 7 is a number (0–9) → the code is from the 1980–2009 cycle.
- Position 7 is a letter (A–Z) → the code is from the 2010–2039 cycle.
This disambiguation rule is defined in 49 CFR § 565.15.
Examples
- 10th character T → 1996 or 2026
- T with a letter in position 7 → 2026
- T with a digit in position 7 → 1996
- S → 1995 or 2025; V → 1997 or 2027
- A → 1980 or 2010; M → 1991 or 2021
Official source
VIN model-year codes and the 7th-character rule are defined by U.S. federal regulation 49 CFR § 565.15 (Vehicle Identification Number requirements), published in the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Frequently asked questions
Which VIN character is the model year?+
The 10th character of a 17-character VIN encodes the model year. It uses letters and numbers on a repeating 30-year cycle and never uses I, O, Q, U, Z, or the digit 0. This is defined by 49 CFR § 565.15.
What is the VIN year code for 2026?+
The model year 2026 uses the VIN year code 'T' in the 10th position. 2025 is 'S' and 2027 is 'V'.
Why can one VIN year code mean two years?+
VIN year codes repeat on a 30-year cycle, so 'T' can mean 1996 or 2026. For passenger cars, MPVs, and light trucks (10,000 lb GVWR or less), the 7th character resolves it: a number means the 1980–2009 cycle, a letter means the 2010–2039 cycle.
What is the source for VIN year codes?+
VIN model-year codes are defined by U.S. federal regulation 49 CFR § 565.15 (Vehicle Identification Number requirements), published in the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations by NHTSA.