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Vehicle Identification Numbers:

Check Digits

Last updated January 16th, 2003

PositionSectionInformation
1-2WMIcountry code
2-3manufacturer

4-8VDSequipment codes

9check digit

10VISmodel year
11manufacturing plant
12-17serial number
or
10VISmodel year
11manufacturing plant
12-14WMI suffix
15-17serial number
The following algorithm is used for calculating check digits:
  1. Each letter is assigned a numeric value.
    characterABCDEFGHI
    value123456789
    characterJKLMNOPQR
    value123456789
    characterSTUVWXYZ
    value23456789

  2. Each number or character value is multiplied by the factor for that position.
    position1234567891011121314151617
    factor876543210098765432

  3. The resulting products are summed.

  4. The total is divided by 11.

  5. The check digit is the remainder. If the remainder is 10 then the check digit is X (Roman numeral 10).

The only place where the letter "O" has been observed is in the WMI. Other letters that do not normally appear are the letters "I" and "Q" (because of the possibility of confusing them with the numbers "1" and "0").

Introduction WMI
World
Manufacturer's
Identification
VDS
Vehicle
Description
Section
Check
Digit
VIS
Vehicle
Identification
Section

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