Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN codes)/Volvo/VIN Codes

Volvo Cars uses the following [[1]] codes and formats:

These VIN number decoding and designation is used primarily only for the North American Market. European and other Asian markets use another nomenclature systems.

Volvo Car Corporation is a registered Swedish based company that was headed by parent group FoMoCo PAG until 2010 when Ford Motor Company sold it to Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd. The Volvo Car Corp still has concerns with its past parent AB Volvo when it comes to vehicle safety systems, crash testing, engines, ocean races, and some parts.

Volvo Car Corp uses World Manufacturer Identifiers beginning with YV and 7JR.

Volvo VIN History and Updates

The Volvo Cars group started using a standard VIN pattern in 1975 on the 164 and 240 series vehicles. Since the VIN specification had not been defined yet, the codes are a somewhat different configuration than modern VIN codes yet still contain much of the same information. The most distinguishable features are the 2 character manufacturer identifier "VC" and 15 character length.

At least European models of 240 series prior to 1981 may have a VIN with 13 characters, or even 12 characters, in this case VIN omitting one number where a two-number motor code should be, right before the year-of-manufacture-letter (B, E, H,L,M for years 1975-1979, respectively). Examples in the internet often prefix the VIN with "VC" or "YV", but this is not always present in these older models.

In 1981 Volvo changed the VIN pattern in accordance with the ISO Standard 3779 for vehicle VIN numbers. Volvo cars sold in North America from 1981 to 1991 had a VIN pattern that is slightly different than Volvo cars produced after 1991. The most significant changes in the post 1991 VIN were the 5th and 8th position characters. The 5th character was changed from representing the safety equipment to represent the body style and safety equipment. This also helped ease the integration of front wheel drive configurations (850 series) into the existing VIN pattern. It seems likely that the old (81-91) position 8 character was combined with the position 5 codes in 1992 which resulted in new codes in the 5th character position. This left the 8th character position open to represent the engine emission control setup.

With the discontinuation of the rear wheel drive models, Ford acquisition, and new series designations (C, S and V series and later XC) in 1999, Volvo VIN patterns changed again. The main change came again to the 5th character representing body style and safety equipment. After 1998 the 5th character changed to represent the vehicle platform. While the information being represented by the character position was somewhat backwards compatible with the codes used prior to 1999, it should be considered representational of a different data set. After 1999 the 4th character should also be considered representational of a new data set for vehicle code to with the change of series designations.

In 2008 the U.S. National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration decided to change the structure of the VIN pattern. For model year 2010 and forward all cars with market code 31 and 39 (USA and Canada) position 4-5 change places with position 6-8 (i.e. 12345678 becomes 12367845).

Position 1 - 3: World Manufacturer Identifier

YV1 = Passenger Cars
YV2 = Trucks
YV3 = Buses
YV4 = Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
YV5 = Trucks - Incomplete Vehicle
XLB = passenger cars built by Volvo Car BV / NedCar BV
LVY = Passenger Cars made in Daqing, China
LYV = Passenger Cars made in Chengdu & Luqiao District of Taizhou, China
PNV = Passenger Cars made in Malaysia
7JR = Passenger Cars made in USA

MHA = PT. Central Sole Agency

Position 4: Vehicle Code


	[1981-1998]	[1999-2010]
A	240	2006- S80	XC90 (2015+)
B	260	2008- V70, XC70
C		XC90 (2002-2014)
D	1983-85 700 sedan		XC60
E	480
F	740		New S60/V60
G	760		V60 Plug-In Hybrid
H	780
J	940
K	440, 960	S90, V90
L	460, 850	S70, V70	XC90 (2015+)
M		S40, V50, C30, C70	2013- V40
N		C70 1st gen.
R		2000-2009 S60
S		2000-2007 V70, XC70
T		1999-2006 S80
V		S40, V40 1st gen.
2			EX30

Position 5: Safety Equipment, Body Style, Platform Code

[1981-1991] Safety Equipment

A = Air bag + 3-point safety harness (seat belt)
C = Air bag + 3-point safety harness (seat belt) + seat belt tensioners
X = 3-point safety harness (seat belt)
Y = 3-point safety harness (seat belt) + seat belt tensioners

[1992-1998] Body and Safety Equipment

S = Sedan (4-door) with Air Bag & 3-Point Safety Harness (Seat Belt)
W = Wagon (5-door) with Air Bag & 3-Point Safety Harness (Seat Belt)
T = Sedan (4-door) 3-Point Safety Harness (Seat Belt) - Canada
X = Wagon (5-door) 3-Point Safety Harness (Seat Belt) - Canada

[1999-Present] Vehicle Platform

C = All-New C70
F = XC90 (2015+)
H = S40 AWD, S60 AWD, S80 AWD
J = V50 AWD, V70 AWD
K = C30 FWD
L = XC60 2WD
M = XC90 5-Seater AWD
N = XC90 5-Seater FWD
R = XC90 5-Seater AWD
S = S40 FWD, S60 FWD, S80 FWD
T = XC90 R-Design
V = V40 FWD
W = V50 FWD, V60 FWD, V60 AWD, V60 Plug-In Hybrid (AWD), V70 FWD, V70 AWD
Y = XC90 7-Seater FWD
Z = XC60 AWD, XC70 AWD, XC90 7-Seater AWD, EX30

[2013-Present]

M = V40, V40 Cross Country AWD

Position 6- 7: Engine Code

Vin Engine

11 = B17A
15 = B20F
16 = B4204S
20 = B200G
21 = B19A, B200FT
22 = B200GT
24 = B19E/B200E
25 = B204FT
26 = B19ET
27 = B200F
37 = D20
41 = B21A
44 = B21E
45 = B21F (1976-81 US, 1976-80 CDN, 1976-84 JAPAN)
46 = B21ET
47 = B21FT
48 = B21F-LH (LH-Jet 1.0)
49 = B21F-MPG (1981-82)
61 = B27A
62 = B28A
64 = B27E
65 = B27F
68 = B28E, B280E
69 = B28F, B280F
74 = D24 TIC with EGR
75 = D24 TIC without EGR
76 = D24T
77 = D24 (1980-1984)
80 = B230G
81 = B23A, B230A, B230FK
82 = B230GT, B230FD (LH 3.1)
83 = B230FD w/pulsair (LH 2.4)
84 = B23E, B230E, B230GK
85 = B230FB
86 = B23ET, B230ET (1983-88), B230FT - EGR (1994-98?)
87 = B23FT (LH 2.1), B230FT (LH 2.2, 2.4) - non EGR (1984-98)
88 = B23F (1983-1984 - LH 2.0), B230F (1985-95 - LH 2.2, 2.4)
89 = B234F
92 = B6244F
93 = B6254F
95 = B6304F/S 1992-94
96 = B6304S 1995-98
98 = N6304G
99 = B6254G

11/12 = B4164 1995-2004 105HK
10 = B4164S2 2000-2004 109HK
13 = B4184SM 1998-2000 125HK
15 = B4184S3
12 = B4184S 1,8 1995-1999 115HK
14 = B4184S2 1,8 2000-2004 122HK
26 = B4184SJ 1,8i 1995-2004 125HK
28 = B4184S10
30 = B4184S9
16 = B4204S 2,0 1995-2004 137HK
17 = B4204S2 2,0 1995-2004 136HK
19 = B4204T 2,0T 1998 160HK
25 = B4204T2 2,0T 1999-2000 160HK
29 = B4204T3 2,0T 2001-2004 160HK
27 = B4204T4
18 = B4194T T4 1998-1999 200HK
24 = B4194T2 2000 200HK
37 = B4204T5 2001-2004 200HK
73 = D4192T2 1,9d 1999-2001 95HK
78 = D4192T4 D 2001-2004 102HK
70 = D4192T3 1,9D 2001-2004 115HK

04 = B4204S4 C30/S40/V50/V70 2.0 Flexifuel FWD
08 = B4184S8 C30/S40/V50/V70 1.8 Flexifuel FWD
17 = B4204S2 V40 2.0l FWD
18 = B4194T V40 1.9l Turbo FWD
20 = B4164S3 C30 1.6 FWD
21 = B4184S11 V50/S40 1.8
30 = D5244T18 XC90 2.4 AWD
31 = D5204T7 XC60
38 = B5244S4 C30/S40/V50 2.4i FWD
39 = B5244S7 S40/V50 2.4i FWD
40 = B4204T11 S60/V60 2.0 T5 FWD
41 = B5202S 850/V70 2.0i FWD
43 = B5204T3 850/V70/S80 2.0 T5 FWD, or B4204S3 S80(2.0F 2007-2010)
47 = B5204T 850/V70 2.0 T5 FWD
50 = B5234T4 V70 R AWD
51 = B5252S 850/V70 2.5i FWD or D5204T6 V40/V40CC D3/D4
52 = B5254T4 S60/V70 R AWD
53 = B5234T3 S60/V70 T5 FWD
54 = B5244T5 S60 T5 FWD
55 = B5254S; B5254FS 850/V70/S70 FWD
56 = B5254T S70/V70 GLT FWD V70 XC AWD - 1999
56 = B5244T 2000 -
57 = B5234T 850/V70 2.3T FWD Turbo
58 = B5234T5 1995-1997 850 T-5R/R ; B5244T3 S60/V70/S80/XC70 2000 -
59 = B5254T2 S80/S60/XC90 2.5T FWD/AWD, V70 2.5T FWD, XC70 AWD
60 = B5254T10 V70/S80 2.5t FWD/AWD
61 = B5244S S60/V70 2.4 FWD
64 = B5244S6 S60/V70 2.4 FWD
65 = B5244S2 S80/V70/S60 2.4 FWD
66 = B5244S5 S40/V50 2.4 FWD
67 = B5254T7 C30/C70/V50 T5 FWD/AWD
68 = B5254T3 S40/V50 T5 FWD/AWD
69 = D5244T5 S80/V70 2.4D FWD
70 = D4192T3 S40/V40
70 = D5244T10 XC60 AWD D5(205)
71 = D5244T4 V70 AWD D5(185), XC90 AWD D5(185)
72 = D5252T S70/S80 2.5TDi FWD
73 = D4204T5 S60/V60
73 = D4192T2 S40/V40
74 = D5244T2
75 = D4204T C30, S40 2.0D
76 = D4164T V50, 1.6D (PSA-Ford Engine)
77 = D5244T8 S40 D5 AT
78 = D4192T4 S40/V40
79 = D5244T D5(163)
81 = D5244T7 V70 2,4 D5 93kW (2005-2007)
82 = D5244T15 XC60/V60 AWD D5(215)
84 = D4162T C30, V50, V70, S60 1.6D/DRIVe (PSA-Ford Engine)
85 = B8444S XC90/S80 V8 AWD
88 = D5204T3 XC60
90 = B6284T S80 2.8 T6
91 = B6294T S80/XC90 2.9 T6
94 = B6294S S80 2.9 FWD
97 = B6304S S80 2.9 FWD
98 = B6324S XC90/S80/V70 3.2 FWD/XC70 AWD
99 = B6304T4 S80 3.0 T6 AWD
A0 = B4204T43 S60/V60 Polestar 2.0L (362 hp)
A2 = B4204T27 S60/V60, XC60, S90/V90, XC90 2.0 T6 (320 hp)
A3 = B4204T29 S60/V60, XC60, S90/V90, XC90 2.0 T6 (310 hp)
A4 = D4204T11 S60/V60, XC90 D5
A5 = D5244T21 V60 2.4 D4
A6 = D4204T12 XC40 D4
A8 = D4204T14 V40, V60, 2.0 D4
A9 = B6304T5 S60/V60 Polestar 3.0L (350 hp)
AA = D82PHEV V60 Plug-In Hybrid
AC = B4204T47 XC40 T4
AJ = D5244T22 (220 hp)
BR = B4204TSH S60/V60 T8, S90/V90 T8, XC60 T8, XC90 T8 (313hp+87hp)
BK = B4204TSH S60/V60/XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered (328hp+87hp)
H5 = XC90 T8 (313hp+87hp)

Position 8: Body Style/Emissions Code

[1981-1991] Body Style

2 = 2 Door / 2 Door Coupe (US/Canada Bertone)
4 = 4 Door
5 = 5 Door (Wagon)
7 = 2 Door Coupe (Bertone - European market)

[1992-Present] Emission Control Equipment

0 = non-EGR / Engine codes 82, 83, 87, 88; SULEV+ (Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle) / Engine Codes 39, 55, 64, 72
1 = EGR / Engine codes 82, 83, 86, 88
2 = ULEV2 (Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle) / Engine Codes 38, 41, 51, 59, 61, 67, 68, 85, 98, 99
4 = Engine Codes 71
5 = ?
7 = LEV2 (Low Emissions Vehicle) / Engine Codes 52, 54
8 = Engine Codes 70
C = EURO 6
D = L6
K = What the mean???
L = What does it mean?
V = what does it mean?
U = PHEV

Position 9: Gearbox/Check Digit

USA /Canada Check digit
Elsewhere used for gearbox:

700/900/90 series gearbox

1 = M90 manual

2 = M46 Manual

3 = M47 Manual

5 = ZF22

6 = AW70/71/72 lock-up

7 = AW70/71 no lock-up

850/60/70/80 series

1 = M59 manual

2 = M56 Manual

3 = M58 Manual

4 = M66 Manual

5 = AW55-51SN Auto

6 = AW42 Auto

7 = AW50AWD Auto

8 = AW42AWD Auto

9 = AW55-50SN Auto C30/V50, AW55-51 S40D5 AT

0 = AWTF-80 SC

2 = MTX75 Manual

D = Automatic

Position 10: Year Model Code

See: Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN codes)/Model year

Position 11: Plant of Assembly Code

0 = [Sweden] Kalmar Plant
1 = [Sweden] Torslanda Plant VCT 21(Volvo Torslandaverken) (Gothenburg)
2 = [Belgium] Ghent Plant VCG 22
3 = [Canada] Halifax Plant
4 = [Thailand] - Thai-Swedish Assembly Co. Ltd.
5 = [Malaysia]
6 = [Australia]
7 = [Indonesia]
B = [China] - Chengdu
D = [Italy] - Bertone models 262C (US/CDN), 780
E = [Singapore]
F = [The Netherlands] Born Plant (NEDCAR)
G = [United States] Charleston Plant
J = [Sweden] Uddevalla Plant VCU 38 (Volvo Cars/AutoNova/Pininfarina Sverige AB)
P = [China] - Daqing
S = [China] - Zhangjiakou