ISO 3779 VIN Structure — The International Standard

ISO 3779 divides the 17-character VIN into three sections:

WMI — World Manufacturer Identifier (Positions 1-3)

Identifies the country of origin and manufacturer. Assigned by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).

VDS — Vehicle Descriptor Section (Positions 4-9)

Describes vehicle attributes: model, body style, engine type, and restraint system. Position 9 is the check digit.

VIS — Vehicle Indicator Section (Positions 10-17)

Position 10 = model year. Position 11 = assembly plant. Positions 12-17 = unique serial number.

Without ISO 3779, vehicle history reports would not exist. The standardized 17-character format allows databases across all 50 states, Canadian provinces, and international systems to cross-reference the same vehicle using a single identifier. Every accident report, title brand, service record, and recall notice is linked through this standard.

When you enter a VIN at CarfaxLess, the ISO 3779 structure ensures your report pulls from every database that has ever recorded a transaction for that specific vehicle — a system made possible by international standardization over four decades ago.