Vehicle identification numbers

Product improvement is a continuous process of any in-line production. At the same time, in the automotive industry, with the exception of cases of major changes in the design of models coming off the assembly line, the results of the modification process are not covered in the vehicle operation manual. However, the manufacturer draws up numbered lists of manufactured spare parts, which is why the information encoded in the vehicle identification numbers is of particular importance when buying the latter. When placing an order for the required spare part, try to provide the seller with as much information about your car as possible. Be sure to include the model name, year of manufacture, body/chassis and powertrain numbers.

Vehicle identification plate (VIN) located to the right of the front passenger seat, - a special valve is provided in the carpet (see illustration 1).

Note: On some models, the VIN is stamped on a nameplate attached to the vehicle's instrument panel on the left side of the windshield so that it can be read from the outside as well (see illustration 2).

VIN is also duplicated on the nameplate fixed in the driver's door opening on the B-pillar (see illustration 3), in addition to the identification number, the plate contains some other data (see illustration 4).

VIN decoding

Example:

• 1 Manufacturer code: WOL - Adam Opel AG.
• 2 Specialized version: 0 - does not belong to the number of special vehicles.
• 3 GM code: A - Astra-H.
• 4 Model range: H - Astra-H, M - Zafira-B.
• 5 GM-code of a complete set of the car
• 6 Body type: 48 - 5-door Hatchback, 35 - Station wagon, 08 - 3-door Hatchback, Astra GTC, 75 - Zafira-B.
• 7 Model year: 4 - 2004, 5 - 2005, etc. up to 9 - 2009, A - 2010, B - 2011, etc.
• 8 Manufacturer code: 1 - Russelsheim, 2 - Bochum.
• 9 Serial number.

The designation and engine number are stamped on the left side of the cylinder block (see illustration 5).

Engine designation decoding

Example:

• 1 Emission standard: Z - compliance with the EURO-4 standard.
• 2 Working volume (displacement): 18 - 1.8 l. 19 - 1.9 l, etc.
• 3 Compression ratio: L = 8.5-9.0; N = 9.0-9.5; S = 9.5-10.0; X = 10.0-11.5; Y > 11.5. Remark: For diesel engine, the designation «At» insignificant.
• 4 Fuel: E = gasoline, D = diesel fuel.
• 5 Features (modification): R/H - high boost, L - low boost; P - Twinport system; T - turbocharging. Note: Letters «H», «R» And «L» are added to the designation of the base engines, the performance of which is improved. For example, the Z18XER engine (140 hp) is a modification of the Z18XE engine (125 hp).