In the mass production of a large number of vehicle models, a formalized accounting and identification system is needed. This also applies to issues of organizing after-sales 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 have led to the need for international standards in the designation of cars. Decoding the VIN code allows you to set all the basic data about the machine of a technical and legal nature. Practice shows that the search for a stolen vehicle by such an identifier gives the best results. Especially convenient is the use of such a system in the context of the emergence and rapid development of information technology and the Internet.
Stages of introducing an international identification system
Standardization in this area began in the eighties of the last century. Until that time, each manufacturing company had its own vehicle labeling system. Thus, the decoding of the Audi VIN code, which consists of only seven digits, made it possible to determine the chassis number of the car, the date of its release, and also some specifications of the model.
These numbers were applied to the body and some fairly large and expensive machine components. Since 1983, it was decided to switch to a new identification system, the same for all car manufacturers. The identifier was introduced by the international standard ISO 3779-1983, the founders of which were 24 countries. The system was significantly complicated and consisted of 17 characters. Moreover, in addition to numbers, letters were also introduced.
The list of units subject to mandatory identification has been reduced. If earlier the number was applied to the body, chassis and engine, now only the first unit is marked. The international organization for standardization has approved the situation, and our country has joined it. This made it possible to bring the products of the domestic automobile industry to international markets.
The composition of the VIN code
Vehicle Identification Number is the official name that translates into Russian as " vehicle identification number ". The decoding of the VIN code, which consists of three main parts, looks like this:
- World Manufacturer Index - WMI, a unique designation of the country of manufacture.
- The descriptive group - VDS, contains the encoding of the company and the model of the vehicle and its main characteristics.
- The distinguishing group - VIS, is actually the serial number of the machine.
So, the decoding of the Volkswagen VIN code will be as follows: the combination of the first three characters is assigned to the country - Germany. The next six characters carry information about the manufacturer itself - Volkswagen. Part of the letters and numbers can be used to indicate the location of the branch and the like. The last group of 8 characters is the individual number of the car.
According to the international standard, the final series of four characters should consist solely of numbers. Otherwise, the provisions of this document are advisory in nature. So, the model year, or rather, its designation, can be encoded in the first two digits, and the marking of assembly conveyor production - in the following one or two characters.
The determination of such an important indicator as the time of release of the machine by the code is not always possible. It may not coincide with the model year. This is due to the features of the organization of the technological process in each particular company. This circumstance may complicate the determination of the physical age of the vehicle. Decoding the car's wine code allows you to set in many cases not only the year, but also the month of release.
The international standard ISO 3779-1983 is recommended for marking the time of release of the 10th position. Most companies adhere to this provision, but there are exceptions to this rule. For example, the European subsidiaries of the Ford company use signs with serial numbers 11 and 12 for this purpose. At the same time, a year first breaks through, and then a month, temporary designations can be numerical or alphabetic in accordance with the table fixed by the standard.
VIN Location
The standards are quite strictly regulated by the rules for recording the identifying numbers in official documents and on the product. First of all, regardless of the way the code is written: in one or two lines, no spaces are allowed. All Arabic numerals from 0 to 9 are used in the style, as well as almost all letters of the Latin alphabet, with the exception of three: I, O and Q. This is done to avoid confusion - their shape resembles numbers.
The decoding of the VIN code for the Mercedes, located on a special platform near the front passenger seat, can be made using the official computer database of the manufacturer. In addition, this number is duplicated on a special plate located on the front panel shelf under the hood or on the right vertical body pillar in its lower part.
BMW VIN-code: Placement on the car and reading features
The Bavarian company has representative offices and enterprises in the European Union, North America, Russia and Southeast Asia. Each branch has its own marking. So, enterprises located in the New World are marked with numbers 1,4 and 5, as well as the letter of the Latin alphabet U. Decoding the BMW wine code, starting with the first characters, gives an idea of the geographical location 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 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 housing.
VIN code: application technology
The practice of applying various kinds of markings on components and individual parts has a long history. Their main task is to reliably identify products and complicate fakes. Decoding the VIN code gives the most complete information about the car. The main technology for applying them to the body metal is stamping. The number is beaten out using a special cliche. In this case, faking it is possible only by replacing a large fragment or the whole part.
Opel VIN: Basic Information and Location
Body marking is carried out in accordance with the requirements of the international standard. According to special tables developed by the specialists of the concern, the decoding 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 of the cooling system are embossed.
Toyota VIN-code: placement features
The Japanese manufacturer and its subsidiaries adhere to the generally accepted car identification system. According to special tables and databases, the decryption of the wine code is performed. Toyota has a standard marking: on the front panel from the side of the engine compartment and under the feet of the driver.
Some features of the application of standards
Practice shows that most automakers quite strictly adhere to the rules for labeling their products. However, there are a number of features. So, the European branch of the Ford company has introduced additional data on the time of release for identification. The release month and year are indicated on the 10th and 11th positions of the VIN code. Other companies have similar deviations.
The main objectives 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, solving technological problems is not the only area. Decoding the VIN code allows you to identify the ownership of the vehicle and its legal status. The presence of large serial parts greatly complicates the use and resale of stolen cars.