Vehicle identification number: Difference between revisions

 

==Check-digit calculation==

 

When trying to validate a VIN with a [[check digit]], first either (a) remove the check digit for the purpose of calculation or (b) use a weight of zero (see [[#Weights used in calculation|below]]) to cancel it out. The original value of the check digit is then compared with the calculated value. If the calculated value is 0–9, the check digit must match the calculated value. If the calculated value is 10, the check digit must be X. If the two values do not match (and there was no error in the calculation), then there is a mistake in the VIN. However, a match does not prove the VIN is correct, because there is still a 1/11 chance that any two distinct VINs have a matching check digit: for example, the valid VINs <tt>5GZCZ43D13S812715</tt> (correct with leading five) and <tt>SGZCZ43D13S812715</tt> (incorrect with leading character "S"). The VINs in the Porsche image, <tt>WP0ZZZ99ZTS392124</tt>, and the GM-T body image, <tt>KLATF08Y1VB363636</tt>, do not pass the North American check-digit verification.