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An Auto VIN Decoder breaks down the unique alphanumeric sequence known as a Vehicle Identification Number, which is a car's fingerprint. Each and every automobile on the road has its own 17-character VIN, and it is this identification number that is used to generate a Vehicle History Report, also known as a VIN check.

The VIN check taps into millions of DMV records and reveals all of the available history for a particular vehicle, including any hidden problems, odometer readings, ownership transfers and more. It is an absolute must for used car buyers, as it tells you everything you need to know about the vehicle.

The Auto VIN Decoder can help you understand what these letters and numbers mean, which is the first step towards ensuring that a vehicle you are considering is right for you.

Let's break down the Vehicle Identification Number, starting with the first character. (Please note the letter "I" as in indigo, the letter "O" as in orange, and the letter "Q" as in queen are NOT found in any VIN Numbers.)

(We will use the following VIN as an example: 2FTRX18W1XCA01212)

The first character represents the country of manufacture, and can be a letter or a number, each signifying a different country. The most common ones are as follows:

(1 = USA, 2 = Canada, 3 = Mexico, J = Japan, K = Korea, W = Germany, Y = Finland, Sweden)

So using the Auto VIN Decoder in the above example, this particular car was made in Canada.

The second/third characters represent the manufacturer, also known as the make. The most common are:

(A = Alfa Romeo, B = Dodge, C = Chrysler, D = Daihatsu, E = Eagle, F= Ford/Eagle, G = All General Motors vehicles (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Saturn)

H = Honda/Acura, J= Jeep, L = Lincoln, M = Mitsubishi, N = Nissan/Infiniti, P = Plymouth, S = Subaru, T = Toyota/Lexus, V = Volkswagen)

So using the Auto VIN Decoder in the above example, this car is a Ford or an Eagle..since Eagle is no longer made, it is most likely a Ford.

Other popular makes use a 3-character initial sequence:

(TRU/WAU = Audi, 4US/WBA/WBS = BMW, 2HM/KMH = Hyundai, SAJ = Jaguar, SAL = Land Rover, 1YV/JM1 = Mazda, WDB = Mercedes-Benz, VF3 = Peugeot, WP0 = Porsche, YK1/YS3 = Saab, YV1=Volvo)

The fourth character is the type of restraint system.

In the above example, "R" represents hydraulic breaks using the VIN Decoder.

The fifth, sixth & seventh characters are the vehicle line, series and body style. This will obviously be different across makes and models.

In the above example, characters 5, 6 & 7 are X18: X18 is a Ford F150 Pickup 4WD Super Cab

The eighth character is the engine type.

With the Auto VIN Decoder, W represents a 4.6 liter V-8 engine.

The tenth character represents the year of the car. Pay close attention to this one:

B = 1981 F = 1985 K = 1989 P = 1993 V = 1997 1 = 2001

C = 1982 G = 1986 L = 1990 R = 1994 W = 1998 2 = 2002

D = 1983 H = 1987 M = 1991 S = 1995 X = 1999 3 = 2003

E = 1984 J = 1988 N = 1992 T = 1996 Y = 2000 4 = 2004

For the most recent used model year, 5 = 2005

In the above example, the "X" indicates that this car was made in 1999.

The eleventh character indicates the assembly plant.

In the above example, the C indicates Ontario, Canada

Characters 12-17 represent the vehicle's unique fingerprint. It is these six digits which make every single vehicle in the world different.

So using the Auto VIN Decoder one last time, the Vehicle Identification Number: 2FTRX18W1XCA01212 represents a 1999 Ford F150 Pickup 4WD Super Cab manufactured in Ontario, Canada with hydraulic brakes and a 4.6-liter V-8 engine.

So there you have it, the Auto VIN Decoder. If you are in the market for a used vehicle, use this decoder to make sure that it is indeed the exact model that the seller is claiming it is. Once you have verified the Vehicle Identification Number is accurate, you can proceed with your VIN check and learn everything you need to know about that particular car.

David Bloom has been researching the automotive industry for years, and is a contributing editor for several web sites, including Car Detective Vehicle History Reports and Auto Advice Car Buying Tips. Both sites include information for new and used car buyers.

General Motors Has Filed For Bankruptcy. Should Cadillac Owners be Worried?

With the anticipation of 1,100 GM dealers in the US and 300 Canadian dealerships soon to close their doors Cadillac owners are understandably concerned. With fewer dealerships available it could be necessary to travel further for service and repair. There are also other concerns about getting stuck with payments for vehicles traded in if dealerships choose not honor the original trade in agreements. Questions about warranty coverage will also be on the minds of many Cadillac owners. Should they be worried?

The good news is...

Although over a thousand US dealership closures may sound crippling, GM will still have more dealerships across the nation than do competing manufacturers. GM anticipates having 3,600 dealers by 2010 while Toyota currently has 1,470 dealers and Honda has only 1,304 dealers across the nation. GM has selected which dealerships will be closed based on the lowest sales and customer service volume. Most of these dealerships will close in October 2010. Therefore, the most popular dealerships will likely remain open and those that are slated to close will be around for some time. GM owners looking for the closest dealers to perform service on their vehicles can visit the GM Dealer Finder at www.gm.com/vehicles/dealer. Cadillac owners can locate Cadillac dealerships by visiting www.cadillac.com or calling the Cadillac Customer Assistance Center at 800.458.8006

The GM bankruptcy filing also affects Buick, Chevrolet, GMC, Hummer, Pontiac, Saab, and Saturn. To locate a specific dealership; consumers can contact the Better Business Bureau Auto Line.

What about getting stuck with payments for a trade-in vehicle?

If dealerships go out of business before paying off the loans on trade-in vehicles it is possible that the customer could still be liable for these outstanding amounts. However, according to the Better Business Bureau, this happens rarely. In the event that it does, states such as California have established funds to reimburse GM customers.

What about the warranty?

The U. S. Court overseeing the GM bankruptcy has agreed to allow General Motors to continue to honor its warranty commitment. GM owners can still utilize warranty coverage for repair, repurchase or replacement of vehicles. In some cases negotiation might be necessary. For example, in the event that a comparable replacement vehicle is not available and the customer is not pleased with a proposed solution a repurchase option may be arranged. All warranty negotiations can be made directly with the BBB and do not require legal representation.

For warranty disputes the U.S. Court has included The Better Business Bureau's Auto Line program as a source of resolution. GM is contractually bound to BBB to abide by their decisions and awards granted. Claims that were established through Auto Line prior to the bankruptcy and those filed after will continue to be honored and processed as before. For specific warranty questions and additional assistance consumers can contact the BBB Auto Line at 800-955-5100

Extended service contracts will not be affected by the bankruptcy. The General Motors Protection Plans (GMPP) are provided by a subsidiary of GMAC LLC which is separate from GM. The extended service contracts are backed by MIC Property and Casualty Corporation (MICPAC) also distinct from GM and not included in the bankruptcy case. One further assurance is that GM vehicles sold during the bankruptcy restructuring will be backed by the U.S. government, as noted by the Obama administration in March.

GM reliability will still remain intact as well. GM will continue to test and monitor the safety of their vehicles. In the event of a safety recall GM must still comply with the orders issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and continue to notify customers.

About the Author

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Did too much variety cause the downfall of the auto industry?

When looking at American car companies it has always amazed me of the endless options
Chevy has- chevrolet, gmc, cadillac, saturn, pontiac, hummer, and saab (or at least did have these)
Ford - Ford, lincoln, merucry, volvo
.....there seems to be thousands and options and trim options..
In comparison to those who have made great advancements ....
Honda has
honda, acura
Toyota has
toyota, and lexus
Nissan has
Nissan and Infinity

Has too much variety caused Americas car problems ?

Mainly, a poor economy and failure to supply enough reliability and gas efficiency is what has hurt them. They were doing much better when our economy was doing fine. What cracks me up is the cons who try to blame it on unions... they totally ignore the fact that our car companies had many great years, and there were unions then too -- we get no explanation for that. Fact is, union busting has hurt the car companies. The righties de-regulated banks, and made the climate favorable for businesses to relocate abroad -- GWB even gave them tax breaks for that. Wages stagnated, so people quit buying, so layoffs happened, and many went out of business. Unions keep wages up, which keeps spending up, which keeps the economy up.

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GM Canada unveils employee pricing for customers
Move comes amid sluggish sales in the Canadian vehicle market

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