How To Decode Your Ford's VIN Number
Are you wanting to find out more about your Ford’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)? If so, this Ford VIN guide explains exactly what all these seemingly mysterious letters and numbers mean.
“Your Ford VIN isn’t just a code - it’s a window into your car’s history and specifications.”
Where To Find Your Ford VIN
Your Ford vehicle identification number (VIN) is typically located:
On Your Documents:
- Car title
- Insurance card
- Vehicle registration
On The Vehicle Itself:
- On the dashboard, viewed through the windshield (driver’s side)
- Driver’s side door jamb
- On or near the engine block
- Under the spare tire
What Does A Ford VIN Mean?
Your Ford’s VIN is a 17-character alphanumeric code that acts as your vehicle’s fingerprint. It’s completely unique and is used to track:
- Warranty claims
- Recalls
- Thefts
- Insurance coverage
- Vehicle registration
- Accidents and traffic violations
Many car owners think a VIN is confidential. It’s not - sellers often share it in listings to provide transparency. You can safely share your VIN without risking your vehicle’s security.
What Can You Learn From A Ford VIN?
When you use a Ford VIN decoder, like the one on our website, you can uncover important details, such as:
Breaking Down Your Ford’s VIN
Let’s explore how to read a Ford VIN number by dividing it into 3 main sections:
| Section | Characters | What It Tells You | Details |
| WMI (World Manufacturer Identifier) | 1–3 | Country, Manufacturer, Vehicle Type | 1st: Country 2nd: Manufacturer (e.g., F = Ford) 3rd: Type (e.g., T = Truck) |
| VDS (Vehicle Descriptor Section) | 4–11 | Vehicle Specs | 4th character: Gross vehicle weight rating code. 5th-7th characters: Model, series, and body code, including trim level and wheel size. 8th character: Engine code. This tells you what kind of engine the vehicle has. 9th character: Check digit. This digit is used to validate the authenticity of the VIN. 10th character: Model year - which year the vehicle was produced. 11th character: Assembly plant - the location of which factory assembled the vehicle. |
| VIS (Vehicle Identifier Section) | 12–17 | Unique Serial Number | Differentiates your Ford from all others built the same year. |
How To Understand A Ford VIN Code
Use the above guide whenever you're buying a used Ford, checking Ford car history by VIN, or verifying factory specs.
- Want to check Ford engine type by VIN? The 8th character is your key.
- Curious about how to find out the Ford model year from VIN? Look at the 10th character in the VIN.
- Do you need to verify your Ford’s weight rating? The 4th character has the information you need.
Use Your Ford’s VIN To Order The Right OEM Parts From Blue Springs Ford Parts
Whatever OEM part you may need for your Ford vehicle, Blue Springs Ford is ready to help. We are one of the largest Ford parts departments in the US and have decades of experience in selling wholesale Ford, Lincoln and Mercury parts. For extra peace of mind, our OEM Ford parts are backed by Ford's replacement parts warranty.
Visit BlueSpringsFordParts.com for genuine OEM components and use our free VIN decoder to find the right part the first time. Contact our knowledgeable staff if you need any further assistance. Order today and benefit from our wholesale pricing and fast shipping!