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VIN Decoder

Find Your Truck or Car's Model Year

By Dale Wickell, About.com

Beginning in 1980, all vehicles sold in the United States have a 17-digit serial number. The eighth digit from the right end identifies the model year of the vehicle.

Knowing the designation for each model year will help you as you shop for a truck. It's an easy system to remember--just make a few notes before you go out to buy.

  • Years 1980 through 2000 are designated by a letter from A to Y.

  • The letters I, O, Q, U, and Z are not used because they can be easily confused with a number or another letter.

    A – 1980

    B – 1981

    C – 1982

    D – 1983

    E – 1984

    F – 1985

    G – 1986

    H – 1987

    I – not used

    J – 1988

    K – 1989

    L – 1990

    M – 1991

    N – 1992

    O – not used

    P – 1993

    Q – not used

    R – 1994

    S – 1995

    T – 1996

    U – not used

    V – 1997

    W – 1998

    X – 1999

    Y – 2000

    Z – not used

    Beginning with 2001, numbers are used to designate the model year.

    1 – 2001

    2 – 2002

    3 – 2003

    4 – 2004

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