In this article 9 sections
GM’s 2027 VIN standard, filed with NHTSA, reads a Chevrolet VIN like this: 1 region of build (1 USA, 2 Canada, 3 Mexico, K South Korea), 2 G for General Motors, 3 brand/type (1 Chevrolet car, C truck, N MPV), 4-6 line, series and body or GVWR, 7 restraints, 8 engine, 9 check digit, 10 model year (V = 2027), 11 plant, 12-17 sequence.
Plant codes depend on the country digit: a US-built Corvette shows 5 (Bowling Green), a Tahoe R (Arlington), a Silverado 1500 Z (Fort Wayne) or 4 (Orion).
Paste any 17-character VIN into the NextCarReview VIN decoder to see the year, make, model, engine and plant data that NHTSA’s vPIC database holds for it.
Codes come from GM’s 2027 Vehicle Identification Numbering Standards (effective September 25, 2026) retrieved through NHTSA’s vPIC GetParts (type 565) endpoint, and from vPIC’s GetWMIsForManufacturer and DecodeWMI endpoints. NextCarReview does not sell vehicle history reports and does not rank paid report services; see our sourcing policy.
This is general information. Decoded details come from manufacturer submissions to NHTSA; always confirm a specific vehicle with its title, the manufacturer or a dealer.
Chevrolet is a General Motors brand, so Chevy VINs follow GM’s VIN standard, a document GM files with NHTSA and updates during each model year. This page summarizes the 2027 standard for current Chevrolet models, lists the WMIs that NHTSA’s database decodes to Chevrolet, and explains the plant codes, which are trickier at GM than at most automakers. To decode a specific Chevy, paste its VIN into our free VIN decoder.
What Does Each Position in a Chevrolet VIN Mean?
| Position | Passenger cars (GM 2027 standard) | Trucks, SUVs and incomplete vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Region of build (1 USA, 2 Canada, 3 Mexico, K South Korea) | Same |
| 2 | Manufacturer: G = General Motors | Same (some WMIs, such as KL7 and 4W1, differ) |
| 3 | Vehicle brand/type, e.g. 1 = Chevrolet passenger car | E.g. C = Chevrolet truck, N = Chevrolet MPV, B = Chevrolet incomplete |
| 4 | Vehicle line | GVWR, brake system and body style |
| 5 | Car series (trim levels and badges) | Chassis, e.g. 2WD or 4WD |
| 6 | Body style | Series (trim levels and badges) |
| 7 | Restraint system (letters only) | Same |
| 8 | Engine | Same |
| 9 | Check digit | Same |
| 10 | Model year | Same |
| 11 | Plant location | Same |
| 12-17 | Sequence number assigned in production | Same |
GM’s 2027 Corvette page shows how this works. Its typical VIN begins 1G1YA2D3XV5: 1 (United States), G (General Motors), 1 (Chevrolet passenger car), Y and A (Corvette line and series), 2 (coupe body), D (restraint package), 3 (engine code), X (check digit), V (2027) and 5 (Bowling Green). The Corvette page also lists engine codes 3 for the LT6 5.5-liter V8, 5 for the LS6 6.7-liter V8 and 7 for the LT7 5.5-liter V8 (GM 2027 standard).
Which WMI Codes Belong to Chevrolet?
NHTSA’s vPIC GetWMIsForManufacturer endpoint returned 110 WMIs for "general motors" in October 2026; a search for "chevrolet" returns only an unrelated trailer dealer, because Chevrolet is a make, not a separate manufacturer. Running each GM code through vPIC’s DecodeWMI endpoint returned Chevrolet as the make for these (vPIC; DecodeWMI):
| First character (country) | WMIs vPIC decodes as Chevrolet |
|---|---|
| 1 (United States) | 1G1, 1GA, 1GB, 1GC, 1GN |
| 2 (Canada) | 2G1, 2G5 (also BrightDrop), 2G8, 2GA, 2GB, 2GC, 2GN, plus older 2C1 and 2CN (shared with Geo) |
| 3 (Mexico) | 3G1, 3GB, 3GC, 3GM, 3GN |
| 4 (United States) | 4G1, 4G3, 4KB, 4W1 |
| 6 (vPIC lists Australia for 6G1) | 6G1, 6G3 |
| K (South Korea) | KL1, KL7, KL8 |
| J | JG1 (historical, shared with Geo) |
In GM’s 2027 standard, current Chevrolet examples include 1GC and 3GC (Silverado), 1GN (Tahoe and Suburban), 3GN (Equinox, Blazer EV and Equinox EV), 4W1 (Suburban HD) and KL7 (Trax and Trailblazer, built in South Korea).
What Are Chevrolet’s Plant Codes (Position 11)?
GM reuses plant letters, so read position 11 together with position 1 and the model. These pairings come from the 2027 Chevrolet product pages:
| Position 1 | Code | Plant | 2027 Chevrolet models in GM’s standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (USA) | 5 | Bowling Green | Corvette |
| 1 (USA) | F | Fairfax | Bolt |
| 1 (USA) | F | Flint | Silverado HD |
| 1 (USA) | Z | Fort Wayne | Silverado 1500 |
| 1 (USA) | 4 | Orion | Silverado 1500 |
| 1 (USA) | R | Arlington | Tahoe, Suburban |
| 1 (USA) | 1 | Wentzville | Colorado, Express |
| 1 (USA) | J | Lansing – Delta Township | Traverse |
| 1 (USA) | U | Factory Zero | Silverado EV |
| 4 (USA) | B | Manufacturing Customer Innovation Center, Concord, NC | Suburban HD |
| 2 (Canada) | 1 | Oshawa | Silverado HD |
| 3 (Mexico) | G | Silao | Silverado 1500 |
| 3 (Mexico) | L | San Luis Potosi | Equinox |
| 3 (Mexico) | S | Ramos Arizpe | Blazer EV, Equinox EV |
| K (S. Korea) | B | Bupyeong | Trailblazer |
| K (S. Korea) | C | Changwon | Trax |
How Do You Read the Model Year on a Chevy?
Position 10 follows the federal table in 49 CFR 565.15: V = 2027, T = 2026, S = 2025, R = 2024 (49 CFR 565.15). GM’s typical VINs for 2027 all carry V in position 10.
| Position 10 code | Model year |
|---|---|
| K | 2019 |
| L | 2020 |
| M | 2021 |
| N | 2022 |
| P | 2023 |
| R | 2024 |
| S | 2025 |
| T | 2026 |
| V | 2027 |
| W | 2028 |
| X | 2029 |
| Y | 2030 |
How Does the Check Digit Work?
Position 9 is calculated from the other 16 characters under 49 CFR 565.15(c). Each letter is converted to a number from the regulation’s Table III (A=1, B=2 … H=8, J=1 … R=9, S=2 … Z=9; digits keep their value), each value is multiplied by a position weight (8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 10, 0, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2), the products are added, and the sum is divided by 11. The remainder is the check digit, with a remainder of 10 written as X. The regulation’s own example, 1G4AH59H45G118341, produces a sum of 411 and a remainder of 4, which matches its ninth character (49 CFR 565.15).
A VIN whose check digit fails the calculation was mistyped or is not genuine. Our decoder runs this test automatically, which catches most typing errors before you rely on any other result.
Where Is the VIN on a Chevrolet?
Federal rules fix the main location. Under 49 CFR 565.13(f), the VIN on passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, low-speed vehicles and trucks of 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) GVWR or less must be inside the passenger compartment and readable through the glazing by an observer standing outside next to the left windshield pillar, with characters at least 4 mm tall. Section 565.13(e) requires the VIN to be marked clearly and indelibly on a part not designed to be removed except for repair, or on a plate or label permanently affixed to such a part (49 CFR 565.13).
In practice that means the plate at the base of the windshield on the driver’s side. The same 17 characters also appear on the title, registration and insurance card. Before buying a used Chevrolet, compare the dashboard VIN with the door-jamb label and the paperwork; all should match exactly. A mismatch, or a plate that looks loose or altered, is a reason to stop and ask questions.
How Can You Use a Chevy VIN Before Buying?
- Decode it with our VIN decoder and confirm year, engine (position 8) and plant against the listing.
- Check the engine code on trucks. The 2027 Silverado 1500 page lists, for example, E for the 2.7-liter turbo four, M for a 5.7-liter V8, N for the 6.6-liter V8 and 8 for the 3.0-liter diesel.
- Check recalls at NHTSA with the full VIN.
- Review history following our accident history guide.
Need the title history?
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I decode a Chevrolet VIN?
GM’s 2027 VIN standard filed with NHTSA defines the positions: 1 region of build, 2 manufacturer (G = General Motors), 3 brand/type, 4-5 vehicle line and series for cars (GVWR, brake system and chassis for trucks and SUVs), 6 body style or series, 7 restraint system, 8 engine, 9 check digit, 10 model year (V = 2027), 11 plant and 12-17 sequence number.
What does 1GC, 1G1 or 1GN mean on a Chevy VIN?
They are World Manufacturer Identifiers that NHTSA’s vPIC database decodes to the Chevrolet make. In GM’s 2027 standard, 1G1 is a Chevrolet passenger car built in the United States, 1GC a Chevrolet truck and 1GN a Chevrolet multipurpose vehicle such as the Tahoe or Suburban. A first digit of 2 means Canada, 3 Mexico and K South Korea.
What is the Chevy plant code in the VIN?
Position 11. GM’s codes depend on the country in position 1: with a 1 (USA), 5 is Bowling Green, Z Fort Wayne, F Flint or Fairfax depending on the model, R Arlington, J Lansing Delta Township, 1 Wentzville, 4 Orion and U Factory Zero. With a 3 (Mexico), G is Silao, S Ramos Arizpe and L San Luis Potosi.
Where was my Silverado built?
Check positions 1 and 11 together. For the 2027 Silverado 1500, GM’s standard lists Fort Wayne (Z) and Orion (4) for US-built trucks and Silao (G) for Mexico-built trucks. The 2027 Silverado HD lists Flint (F) in the US and Oshawa (1) in Canada.
Why does the same plant letter mean different factories?
GM assigns plant codes per region of build and product. F means Flint on the Silverado HD but Fairfax on the Bolt, and 1 means Wentzville when the VIN starts with 1 but Oshawa when it starts with 2. Always read position 11 together with position 1 and the model.
⚠️ Professional Notice:
Codes reflect GM’s 2027 VIN standard and NHTSA vPIC data retrieved in October 2026; earlier model years can use different plant and engine codes.
NextCarReview.com is not affiliated with NHTSA, NMVTIS, NICB or any vehicle history company and receives no compensation from them.
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Morgan Reyes is the founder and editor-in-chief of NextCarReview, which Morgan launched in August 2024. A 2022 graduate of Columbia University, Morgan is based in New York and writes and edits the site’s reviews, comparisons and buying guides. Morgan does not road-test vehicles. Every article is built from published primary data: EPA FuelEconomy.gov ratings, NHTSA crash ratings, recalls and owner complaints, IIHS results, and manufacturer specifications and pricing, with each figure cited and checked before publication. Contact: admin@nextcarreview.com
