VIN Model Year Codes

Position 10 of a Vehicle Identification Number encodes the model year using a single letter or digit. NHTSA standardized this in 1981. The letters I, O, and Q are never used to avoid confusion with 1, 0, and each other. Codes repeat every 30 years — a VIN from 1980 and one from 2010 both use the letter A.

Example: this VIN's position 10 is K, meaning model year 1989 or 2019

1

H

G

B

H

4

1

J

X

K

N

1

0

9

1

8

6

Complete Model Year Code Table (1980–2030)

Code	Model Year(s)	Notes
A	1980 and 2010	Repeats every 30 years
B	1981 and 2011	Repeats every 30 years
C	1982 and 2012	Repeats every 30 years
D	1983 and 2013	Repeats every 30 years
E	1984 and 2014	Repeats every 30 years
F	1985 and 2015	Repeats every 30 years
G	1986 and 2016	Repeats every 30 years
H	1987 and 2017	Repeats every 30 years
J	1988 and 2018	Repeats every 30 years
K	1989 and 2019	Repeats every 30 years
L	1990 and 2020	Repeats every 30 years
M	1991 and 2021	Repeats every 30 years
N	1992 and 2022	Repeats every 30 years
P	1993 and 2023	Repeats every 30 years
R	1994 and 2024	Repeats every 30 years
S	1995 and 2025	Repeats every 30 years
T	1996 and 2026	Repeats every 30 years
V	1997 and 2027	Repeats every 30 years
W	1998 and 2028	Repeats every 30 years
X	1999 and 2029	Repeats every 30 years
Y	2000 and 2030	Repeats every 30 years
1	2001	Single-use digit code (2001–2009)
2	2002	Single-use digit code (2001–2009)
3	2003	Single-use digit code (2001–2009)
4	2004	Single-use digit code (2001–2009)
5	2005	Single-use digit code (2001–2009)
6	2006	Single-use digit code (2001–2009)
7	2007	Single-use digit code (2001–2009)
8	2008	Single-use digit code (2001–2009)
9	2009	Single-use digit code (2001–2009)

Notes on Model Year Codes

Skipped letters: I, O, and Q are never used — they look too similar to 1, 0, and each other.
Repeating codes (letters A–Y): Each letter appears twice — once for 1980–2000 and again for 2010–2030. To determine the actual year, use other context clues (purchase date, NHTSA decode, etc.).
Single-use codes (digits 1–9): The digits 1–9 cover exactly 2001–2009 and do not repeat.
Model year vs. calendar year: The model year can differ from the calendar year. Manufacturers often begin producing the next model year in August or September of the prior calendar year.