Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

The 17-digit numbers are structured according to

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
W V W Z Z Z 1 J Z Y W 0 0 0 0 0 1 model year 2000
W V W Z Z Z 1 J Z 1 W 0 0 0 0 0 1 model year 2000
Abbreviated notation
1 J - Y - 0 0 0 0 0 1 up to model year 2000
1 J - 1 - 0 0 0 0 0 1 from model year 2000

In the abridged version, we write only the last 11 points and at the 9th and the 11th A dash.
The 11th Site features the work in which the vehicle was manufactured. The points 7 and 8, the model and the important passage 10, the model year of the vehicle.

The abbreviated version can be found in some articles as a choice in the shop, because at a given chassis number, a component has been changed.

The 10th Place of the chassis number - The model year

A - 2010
9 - 2009
8 - 2008
7 - 2007
6 - 2006
5 - 2005
4 - 2004
3 - 2003
2 - 2002
1 - 2001
Y - 2000
X - 1999
W - 1998
V - 1997
T - 1996
S - 1995
R - 1994
P - 1993
N - 1992
M - 1991
L - 1990

In the so-called model year is important to note that in the middle of last year's already beginning the next model year.
Example: The Model 1998 has been built since about June 1997. Therefore, the exact month of the Year is very important.