The VIN or Vehicle Identification Number sets the vehicles apart from the millions of vehicles out there. In later years it is reflected in 17 digit characters. It displays a car's uniqueness and heritage and provides a form of factory to scrap yard identification. It can be used to track recalls, registrations, warranty claims, thefts and insurance coverage. Each character or digit has a particular purpose.

 

This chart is for a MN12. MN12 cars include 1989-1997 Ford Thunderbirds and Mercury Cougars and 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII's.

VIN Example, 1FALP62W4SH125887 (1995 V8, LX)

# Order	VIN example #	__Meaning__
1,2,3	1FA	World Manufacturer Code (Mercury USA= 1ME; Ford USA = 1FA; Lincoln USA = 1LN) 1 = USA, 2 = Canada, 3 = Mexico.
4	L	Passive Restraint System (Seat Belts; Active Belts = P; Dual Airbags = L)
5	P	Passenger Car (can also be M for most Mercury's and Lincoln's)
6,7	62	60 = Base, LS & 5.0, 62 = LX or XR7, 64 = SC, 91 = Mark VIII
8	W	Engine Code (W = V8 4.6 SOHC, R = SC V6 3.8, T = V8 5.0, 4 = V6 3.8, V = 4.6 DOHC)
9	X	Can be X or 0 - 9. It is a Internal Ford Check Digit (simply assures that the VIN was properly recorded at the factory)
10	S	Model Year (K = 89, L = 90, M = 91, N = 92, P = 93, R = 94, S = 95, T = 96, V = 97, W = 98)
11	H	Assembly Plant (H = Lorain, OH; A = Atlanta, Georgia; Y = Wixom, Michigan)
12	1	1 = Begin Ford Sequence (Mercury begins with 2, Lincoln begins with 7)
13 - 17	25887	Assembly Line Production Sequence