The 16th character of a VIN encodes part of the sequential production serial number. It falls in the Serial (12–17) block of the 17-character VIN. Below is exactly what it means, with a real sample VIN highlighting the 16th position.
Here it is 8, part of the serial number 966681.
The 16th character is the fifth character of the serial number; only position 17 follows it. Together, positions 12–17 give each vehicle its unique production number.
Because it is near the end of the serial, this position changes frequently across a production run.
Decode a full VIN → · See all 17 positions →
← 15th character · 17th character →
It encodes part of the sequential production serial number. In the sample WBAJA7C53HB966681 the 16th character is 8.
It is the fifth of the six serial characters (positions 12-17) — part of the unique sequential build number.
Six — positions 12 through 17.