The 10th digit of your VIN is the model year of your vehicle
The 10th position in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) contains a single letter or number that corresponds to the year the vehicle was manufactured. This digit does not follow a calendar year — instead, manufacturers use a repeating 30-year cycle where the letter A represents 2010, B represents 2011, and so on through Y (skipping I, O, Q, and Z to avoid confusion with numbers). The cycle then restarts with A in 2040.
Knowing your vehicle's model year from the VIN is useful for identifying recall notices, checking warranty coverage, finding the correct replacement parts, and understanding which emissions standards your vehicle must meet. Insurance companies and repair shops also use this digit to verify the age of your vehicle and explore the correct service bulletins.
Key Takeaways
- The 10th digit in a VIN represents the model year, using a repeating 30-year cycle that started in 2010 with the letter A.
- The letters I, O, Q, and Z are never used in the 10th position to prevent confusion with the numbers 1, 0, 0, and 2.
- You can cross-reference your 10th digit against a model year chart to find the exact year your vehicle was built.
- The model year shown in the VIN may differ from the calendar year the vehicle was sold, since manufacturers build vehicles months in advance.
How the 30-year VIN cycle works
The VIN model year code repeats every 30 years. The current cycle began in 2010 with the letter A and will continue through 2039 with the letter Y. In 2040, the cycle restarts with A again. This system was established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to standardize how manufacturers encode the year of manufacture.
Because the cycle repeats, a VIN with a 10th digit of A could represent either 2010 or 2040. To determine which, you need to know the general age of the vehicle or check the first three digits (the World Manufacturer Identifier), which can narrow down the timeframe. For vehicles currently on the road, the context of the vehicle's condition and mileage usually makes the correct year obvious.
Reading the model year code chart
Here is how the 10th digit maps to model years in the current cycle:
| 10th Digit | Model Year |
|---|---|
| A | 2010 |
| B | 2011 |
| C | 2012 |
| D | 2013 |
| E | 2014 |
| F | 2015 |
| G | 2016 |
| H | 2017 |
| J | 2018 |
| K | 2019 |
| L | 2020 |
| M | 2021 |
| N | 2022 |
| P | 2023 |
| R | 2024 |
| S | 2025 |
| T | 2026 |
| V | 2027 |
| W | 2028 |
| X | 2029 |
| Y | 2030 |
Notice that I, O, Q, and Z do not appear in the sequence. These letters are omitted because they can be mistaken for the numbers 1, 0, 0, and 2 when reading a VIN quickly or on a worn label. This standardization prevents errors when mechanics, insurance agents, and owners reference the model year.
Why the model year in your VIN may not match the calendar year you bought the vehicle
Manufacturers typically build vehicles several months before they are sold to customers. A vehicle built in September 2024 might carry a 2025 model year designation in the VIN, even though you purchased it in late 2024. This is standard practice across the automotive industry and does not indicate a problem with the vehicle.
When you check recall notices, warranty information, or service bulletins, use the model year from the VIN, not the year you purchased the vehicle. Government agencies and manufacturers organize recalls and technical information by model year, not by sale date. Using the wrong year could cause you to miss important safety recalls or explore incorrect maintenance schedules.
Using the 10th digit to verify recalls and warranty information
The NHTSA maintains a public database of vehicle recalls organized by model year. When you search for recalls on your vehicle, you enter the model year, make, and model. The 10th digit of your VIN gives you the exact model year to use in that search. If you use the calendar year you bought the vehicle instead, you may miss recalls that explore to your specific vehicle.
Warranty coverage is also tied to model year. A vehicle with a 2024 model year (10th digit R) has different warranty terms than a 2023 model year (10th digit P), even if both were sold in the same calendar year. Knowing the correct model year from your VIN helps you determine whether a repair is covered under the manufacturer's warranty.
How to locate the 10th digit in your VIN
The VIN is a 17-character code. The 10th digit is the 10th character from the left when you read the VIN from start to finish. You can find your VIN in several places: on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield from outside the vehicle), on the driver's side door jamb, on your vehicle registration, on your insurance card, and on your title document.
When you locate your VIN, count 10 characters from the left. The 10th character is your model year code. Write it down or take a photo so you have it handy when you need to search for recalls, order parts, or discuss warranty coverage with a dealer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the 10th digit be a number instead of a letter?
No. The NHTSA system uses only letters for the 10th position, and those letters follow a specific sequence. If you see a number in the 10th position, the VIN may be incorrectly transcribed or the vehicle may not be a standard passenger car. Heavy trucks and some other vehicle types use different VIN systems.
What if my VIN has an I, O, Q, or Z in the 10th position?
This indicates an error in how the VIN was recorded or transcribed. Double-check the VIN on your vehicle's dashboard or door jamb against any written records. If the discrepancy persists, contact your vehicle's manufacturer or a dealer to verify the correct VIN.
Does the model year in the VIN affect my vehicle's resale value?
Yes, but indirectly. The model year influences depreciation, insurance rates, and the availability of parts and service information. A newer model year typically commands a higher resale price than an older one, all else being equal. The VIN's 10th digit is the authoritative source for determining your vehicle's actual model year for these purposes.
How do I know if a recall applies to my vehicle if I have the same model year as another vehicle?
Recalls are often limited to specific production date ranges or VIN ranges within a model year, not the entire model year. The NHTSA database allows you to enter your full 17-character VIN to check which recalls explore specifically to your vehicle. Using just the model year from the 10th digit is a starting point, but entering your complete VIN gives you the most accurate results.