There are an estimated 48 million classic cars in the world, with the United States accounting for the largest number (over 16 million), these vehicles have found their way into the market. Some have a non-standard 6-digit VIN, so decoding and searching for their classic car vehicle history report has been challenging. But the solution is right here on this page, you can decode a 6-digit VIN using this tool.
A vehicle identification number (VIN) is your car’s unique identifier, like a fingerprint. It reveals its origin, features, and history.
Cars made 1981 or later have a standardized 17-digit VIN. But prior to 1980, VINs aren’t standardized. This causes manufacturers to have a wide variety of VIN formats, ranging from 5 – 13 digits.
Our 6-digit VIN decoder allows you to decipher the non-standard VINs of classic cars to reveal its year, make, model, equipment lists, and more.
Today, 6-digit VINs or serial numbers are typically encountered in three scenarios:
Pre-1981 vehicles in the US and Canada: Vehicles manufactured before 1981 in these countries might have a 6-digit VIN according to the manufacturer’s codes original system.
Vehicles outside the US and Canada: Some countries still use their own VIN formats, which could be 6-digit or longer. For example, South Africa historically used a 6-digit system.
Special cases: For certain special vehicle types, like motorcycles or trailers, specific formats might apply, which could involve 6 digits.
Our VIN Decoder tool gives detailed information including the following:
This refers to year, make model, trim level, body style, dimensions, engine size, suspension, gear ratios, capacities, exhaust, ignition, wheels, rims, tires, fuel economy, and more.
Historical sales listings of the used car, including the Classifieds, or digital marketplace, mileage, color, and price.
Check how many times the car’s title was changed in the past, type, odometer reading, and VIN.
This helps one to know if the classic car was involved in an accident in the past. Influencing their buying, collecting, or selling decisions. Avoid buying one with hidden structural damages.
Learn more about 60+ title checks including salvage titles, rebuilt, junk titles, and and more.
This section shows outstanding lien and loan records on the vehicle. This helps to prevent financial complications in the future.
This section helps one to know the number of previous owners, ownership durations, and locations.
Check the number of miles on the vehicle before purchase or sale, to spot mileage discrepancies.
Year, make model, trim level, body style, dimensions, engine size, suspension, gear ratios, capacities, exhaust, ignition, wheels, rims, tires, fuel economy, and more.
Lookup a VIN to view the total number of owners, locations, and duration of ownership.
Check if the vintage car was involved in an accident in the past. Avoid buying one with hidden structural damages.
Check how many times the car’s title was changed in the past, type, odometer reading, and VIN.
Get access to 60+ title checks including salvage title, rebuilt, junk title, and and more
Check for outstanding lien and loan records on the vehicle. This helps to prevent financial complications in the future.
Historical sales listings of the used car, including the Classifieds, or digital marketplace, mileage, color, and price.
Check the number of miles on the vehicle before purchase or sale, to spot mileage discrepancies.
Get the classic VIN number lookup free app and enjoy the following benefits:
The following benefits will suffice, for the category of persons mentioned below:
If you are seeking a satisfying buying experience, consider exploring the option of obtaining an accurate build sheet featuring precise production data, manufacturer details, technical specifications, engine specifics, build location and country of origin, transmission particulars, drivetrain information, suspension details, and beyond.
Classic vehicle definitions vary, but the generally accepted range is 20-40 years old.
Some consider vehicles 50+ years old as antique.
The global classic car market is estimated at $327 billion in 2022, expected to grow 5.9% per year to $525 billion by 2027.
There are about 40 million classic vehicles worldwide.
Muscle cars and European sports cars from the 1960s and 1970s remain highly sought-after.
Most valuable classic car: Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé sold for €135 million in 2023.
The average annual mileage for classic cars is less than 2,000 miles.
Insurance premiums for classic cars are usually lower than for standard vehicles.
The restoration market is valued at $40 billion annually.
The history of 6-digit VINs is a bit complicated, as it involves transitions between different standards and different countries
Prior to 1954, vehicles generally didn’t have a standardized identification system. Some manufacturers used their own numbering systems, often based on engine numbers or chassis numbers.
In 1954, the US government, in collaboration with automakers, established the “Vehicle Identification Number” (VIN) system. However, at this point, there was no universal format. Different manufacturers used different lengths and structures for their VINs, including 6-digit versions.
In 1981, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the US mandated a standardized 17-digit VIN format for all passenger cars and light trucks manufactured for sale in the US and Canada. This format provided more detailed information about the vehicle.
Here at Classic Decoder, our paid service can provide all the available and necessary details.
Most DMVs do not offer online VIN checks, but they may provide basic information over the phone or in person if you present the vehicle’s registration or title. However, for comprehensive reports, you’ll likely need to use a third-party service like ours.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) does not offer a free public VIN check digit service. However, they provide valuable resources for checking if a vehicle has been reported stolen or is part of an insurance fraud investigation. You can also access this service via our platform.
There’s no single “best” free classic VIN decoder tool, as each service has its strengths and weaknesses. However, there is no harm in trying, why not use our free VIN decoding service today? You can also learn some basic offline VIN decoding skills, for example, among the 17 characters, the third digit shows the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI).
When considering a used car purchase, understanding the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is crucial. The VIN is a unique code composed of letters and numbers assigned to each vehicle, typically consisting of 17 characters. The sixth digit in a VIN plays a pivotal role, as it reveals essential information about the car.
To decode your VIN and find details about the vehicle’s make, model year, and manufacturing specs, you can use our online lookup tool.
If you are decoding manually, specifically, focus on the vehicle descriptor section, where the combination of letters and numbers provides insights into the car’s features and specifications, such information can influence your decisions.
Utilizing a VIN lookup tool empowers buyers with valuable information, aiding in making informed decisions and ensuring transparency about a used car’s history.
Company
Mobile app
2024 Classic Decoder. All Rights Reserved
