What does the 10th character in a VIN represent?

The 10th character in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) represents the model year of the vehicle. This character plays a crucial role in identifying the year in which the vehicle was manufactured, which can be important for various purposes including registration, insurance, and determining the vehicle's value. The model year can be a single digit or a letter, depending on the specific year; for example, certain years are represented by letters, while others might use specific digits.

Understanding VINs is essential for appraisers as the model year can significantly influence a vehicle’s market value, condition assessment, and suitability for sale or trade-in. It helps in differentiating between different production years, which can have varying features and specifications. This direct association with the production year makes the 10th character a pivotal part of the VIN that appraisers rely on during their evaluations.