The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which assigns unique identification numbers to every car produced, was first introduced in the USA in 1954. However, it wasn’t until 1981 that the format was standardized by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The VIN is a 17-digit code that uniquely identifies a vehicle, and its design ensures that a code can only be duplicated after 30 years. While it’s technically possible for a car made today to have a “double” from 30 years ago, the likelihood of this occurring is extremely low. Škoda has been marking its cars with VINs since the 1984 model year.
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)
The VIN format is largely uniform across the globe and can reveal a wealth of information about a vehicle. The first three characters of the VIN identify the manufacturer: the first two indicate the region and country of origin, while the third designates the specific brand. For example, in the Czech Republic, the letters TJ to TP are used, with Škoda specifically identified by the manufacturer code TMB. In India, codes begin with MA to ME, Japan uses a J, and Chinese VINs start with an L. North American countries are represented by numbers, with the USA designated as 1 and Canada as 2. European codes range from S to Z; for instance, Germany’s code is W, which means that the combination WVW indicates Volkswagen. The WMI code is assigned to manufacturers by the relevant approval authority in their country of origin.
There’s a practical reason for having the VIN visible on the windscreen – the emergency services can read the details about a car from the code.
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Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)
Positions 4 to 9 of the VIN comprise the vehicle descriptor code, which identifies the specific model of the car. The format for this section is determined by the manufacturer. For instance, Škoda includes a “security code” in position 9, allowing verification that the VIN is authentic and not fabricated. “In Škoda vehicles, this segment indicates details such as body type, engine specifications, information about the car’s restraint systems, and the vehicle type. For Škoda Enyaq electric cars, the fifth position of the VIN reveals the powertrain performance,” explains Vašina. In this system, the letter A denotes a power output of 109 kW, B represents 132 kW, C is for 150 kW, E stands for 195 kW, and F indicates the highest power output of 220 kW.
You can tell a lot from this descriptor: for example, a Škoda Octavia Combi with a 1.5 TSI engine has the VIN code TMBJR8NX*PYxxxx. The VDS starts with the letter J, which indicates an estate body, left-hand drive and single-axle drive. The letter R in the fifth position of the VIN code indicates the 1.5 TSI/110 kW engine. The following digit 8 symbolises 2 front airbags, 4 side airbags and 2 head airbags. The seventh and eighth positions of the VIN code with the letters NX denote the Octavia model series, and in place of the asterisk in the next position there will be the security code that is derived from the complete VIN code. The letter P means the model year 2023 and the letter Y the production plant in Mladá Boleslav. Electric cars do not have a special character: the fact that a car is a pure electric drive can be deduced from the combination of letters in the fifth, seventh and eighth position of the VIN code.
The Mladá Boleslav factory is represented by a Y in the eleventh position of the VIN.
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Every code is an original
Positions 10 to 17 of the VIN create a unique code known as the Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS), which can be generated flexibly. Škoda employs a detailed “American” format (originating from the USA), where the character in position 10 denotes the car’s model year, which may differ from the year of manufacture. For example, 2010 is represented by the letter A, 2011 by B, and so on. It’s important to note that the VIN typically excludes the letters O, I, and Q to prevent confusion with the digits 0, 1, and 9. The character in this position is not repeated for 30 years and is subject to specific regulations. Position 11 indicates the factory where the vehicle was produced; for Škoda, characters 0 to 4 represent various plants in Mladá Boleslav, while digits 5 to 9 are used for cars from Kvasiny. However, this is not a strict rule, as manufacturers can use letters in these positions as well, which Škoda does in some instances, according to Vašina.
The VIN is typically stamped on the bodywork inside the engine compartment, usually located on a fixed, non-replaceable part on the right front side. However, it can also be found in other areas of the vehicle. Today, it is commonly displayed on a plate on the left front under the windscreen, allowing emergency services to quickly access the vehicle’s details using the VIN.
Before VIN
Before the introduction of the VIN, cars were primarily identified by their engine serial numbers. Initially, the chassis number was the same as the engine number. However, locating the chassis number on the frames of older L&K/Škoda vehicles can be challenging today. It wasn’t until the 1930s that it began to be stamped onto the frame, and this was done in a specific location designated by the manufacturer—production employees were not left to decide where to place it. For Škoda models with a frame chassis, this practice continued until 1973. It’s worth noting that the chassis serial number holds more significance than the engine serial number, as the latter may have been replaced multiple times during the vehicle’s lifespan.
A significant milestone was the introduction of self-supporting bodies, which eliminated the need for a supporting frame. As a result, the body number became the primary identifier of a vehicle’s identity.
In the early days of production, the chassis number was stamped on any part of the bodywork.
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Verification aid
The VIN can be used to check a vehicle’s history through various services, allowing you to find out if it has been in an accident, had its engine replaced, or had its mileage altered. This potential for VIN tampering to hide a car’s true history continues to exist. However, the detailed information encoded in the VIN makes it very difficult to successfully counterfeit it. “There are instances where entire body parts have been replaced or even where a vehicle has been cut in half and combined with another,” explains Vašina. “Any discrepancies between the car’s configuration and what the VIN indicates should raise a red flag.” He recommends conducting a VIN check on used cars and suggests utilizing specialized services that have access to manufacturer databases, garages, inspection stations, and stolen vehicle records.
