CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION
2. Errors & Omissions
3. VIN SYSTEM - Summary
4. PREFIX - Descriptions
5. GENERIC VIN - Decode Tables
6. MODEL VIN - Decode Tables


1. INTRODUCTION
Requests for information on VIN decoding arise regularly on the forum and I have yet to find a reliable online lookup.

The tables in Sections 5 and 6 are all based on published Jaguar information which should be the best source. As it has not been updated since each document was released, I have standardised the format to make them easier to follow.

Jaguar published generic VIN Decoders in 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004 attempting to cover all models but in recent years have released individual model decoders.


2. Errors & Omissions
I’m aware of two particular inconsistencies with Jaguar VIN’s:

1. Secondary VIN assigned on some USA market models
2. Japan numbering doesn’t always follow the standards

Any additional information on these issues would be welcome.


3. VIN SYSTEM - Summary
The internationally recognised VIN (Vehicle identification Numbering) system came into effect in 1979. There are 17 characters in a VIN which can be divided into three groups:

1. World Manufacturer Identifier (Prefix 1-3)
2. Vehicle Descriptor Section (Prefix 4-10)
3. Vehicle Identifier Section (Prefix 11-17)


4. PREFIX - Details
4.1 Prefix 1: REGION
The first letter or number of the VIN shows the REGION of the World in which the vehicle was manufactured:



For Jaguar and Daimler models, this is Europe = S

4.2 Prefix 2: COUNTRY
The second letter or number, in combination with the first letter or number in the VIN, shows the COUNTRY in which the vehicle was manufactured.
For Jaguar and Daimler, we are only interested in the United Kingdom codes:



This may change as JLR open manufacturing facilities in the Far East.

There are more than 80 countries and 681 VIN country codes. For the especially curious, the full list can be downloaded from my MediaFire account by following this link:

http://www.mediafire.com/view/8bcx9w...ntry_Codes.pdf


4.3 Prefix 3: Manufacturer Identifier
The third number or letter is used by the vehicle manufacturer to identify the make of vehicle. J = Jaguar and D = Daimler.


4.4 Prefix 4 to 8: Model Range
Vehicle model, body style, engine type, transmission and emission control.


4.5 Prefix 9: Check Digit
Manufacturer defined value. Mandatory in the USA and possibly Australia. An explanation can be found here:
https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Vehicl...29/Check_digit

4.6 Prefix 10: Model Year
The 10th letter or number of the VIN gives the model year of the vehicle. Note that MODEL YEAR may be different from CALENDAR YEAR of manufacture. Jaguar introduce the new MODEL YEAR at the end of August.



Each letter or number has been assigned to two different years. The series runs A to Y (1980 to 1999) followed by 1 to 9 (2001 to 2009) and then repeats (2010 to 2039).

4.7 Prefix 11 to 17: Vehicle Details
Manufacturer defined. Unique information about the specific vehicle. Production Sequence Number and some include the name of the assembly plant.


5. GENERIC VIN – Decode Tables (click on the images to enlarge them)
5.1 Model Year 1999


5.2 Model Year 2000


5.3 Model Year 2002


5.4 Model Year 2003


5.5 Model Year 2004




6. MODEL VIN – Decode Tables (click on the images to enlarge them)
6.1 XJ6 Series 3 - 1980 to 1992


6.2 XJS - 1975 to 1996


6.3 XJ40 (XJ6) - 1986 to 1994




6.4 X300 (XJ6) - 1995 to 1997


6.5 X308 (XJ8/XJR) - 1997 to 2003




6.6 X100 (XK8/XKR) - 1997 to 2005




6.7 S-Type - 1999 to 2008


6.8 X350 (XJ6/XJ8/XJR) - 2003 to 2009


6.9 X-Type - 2001 to 2009


6.10 X150 (XK/XKR) - 2006 to 2015


6.11 X250 (XF/XFR) - 2008 onwards


6.12 X351 (XJ) - 2009 onwards


6.13 F-Type - 2014 onwards


6.14 X760 (XE) - 2015 onwards
to follow when available


This has taken many months to compile. I hope it is useful.

Graham

 

I've oft wondered when/if Jaguar dropped the two-VIN system for USA (and perhaps other) market cars.

One possible clue is in the 9th digit. The USA VIN convention use the 9th position as a check digit where Jaguar uses it for.....something else....at least thru the X300 cars. In those cases a secondary VIN would have been used.

Cheers
DD

 

Here's an explanation on how the check digit works

https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Vehicl...s)/Check_digit


Cheers
DD

 

Thanks Doug.

I've edited Section 4.5 to add the link you gave for Check Digit validation.

Graham

 

Hi Doug,
Using the appropriate vin table you supplied, everything works out except the 5th and 10th digits. On my 2002 model the 10th digit corresponds to the year, but with the 1999 model I just got, the 10th digit is a letter C, which according to the table ic either 1982 or 2012?????
Still confused.
Bill W.

 

Bill,

No Model & Year details shown in your forum Signature and your profile shows you have a 2001 X308.

Which 1999 model are you trying to check?

Graham

 

Sorry about that. I just got this car last week in addition to my existing vehicle. The car in question is a 1999 Jaguar XJ8 base model, no cruise, no memory seats etc. I will update as soon as I get home. Thanks Bill W

 

Thank you very much for this information. I'm interested in the X351 VIN's and as I compare the information in this chart with what I know from my own research it looks like the chart you provided above is probably specific to vehicles manufactured for the U.K. Do you by any chance have access to a similar chart for vehicles manufactured for the U.S. market? Or can you tell me where I might find such information? As an example, U.S. X351's have a letter character in the 7th position instead of a numeral, and the 8th position indicates the engine (naturally aspirated, super-charged, or supersport), not the emissions, I believe. Thank you in advance for any additional guidance.

 

That is the standard VIN decode as assigned by the factory for all markets Worldwide. It's not a UK specific decode.

The USA used to apply their own (different) VIN on import and this could be why the 7th and 8th characters are different on the examples you have seen.

Japan follows a similar practice and it can be extremely difficult to decode their numbering.

Graham

 

Hello! I am trying to find out the "model" or ID of my transmission. Specifically got my 1998 XJ8 4.0L . VIN SAJHX1248WC827239. I am having it rebuilt and before I take it to my new guy, he is asking. Can anyone help? MANY THANKS!

 

Hi Doug and Bill,

Sorry for being a bit late to the party (just came across this forum and joined today), but I seem to be running into a similar issue as Bill's:

Trying to check out a VIN on 1997 XJR (X306), everything works out, except for digit #10 which is a "B" whereas according to the above schemes one would expect a "V" for that year instead.

Any idea what that might mean? Did Jaguar use an alternative coding system at some time or other? I'm pretty sure about the VIN I tried to decode, got it straight off an engraving in the car itself.

Curious to hear more, thanks!
Irvin

 

Welcome to the forum Irvin,

Please follow this link New Member Area - Intro a MUST - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the New Member Area - Intro a MUST forum and post some info about yourself and your vehicle for all members to see. In return you'll get a proper welcome and some useful advice about posting to the forum.

Graham

 

Thanks for pointing that out to me, Graham.
Sorry for being a bit rude by not proactively doing so,
Should be fixed by now, just posted a little note in the designated area

 

Do you know if yours is originally a Euro-market car....or ?

At minimum the USA-market cars had their own VIN format at least thru the X300-305-306 models. Not sure about X308 and later cars.

I'm 99% sure that Canada uses the USA version.

There's mention that perhaps Japan market cars had their own format?

Cheers
DD

 

Hi,

Fairly sure it's a European car.

Did read somewhere else that the 10th digit might also refer to model or year change. An old Jaguar overview does suggest that digit #10 means something else in Europe v US/Canada: http://www.myds420.info/various_t/vin.1.l.jpeg

Supposedly on X306 cars the letters B, R, and S were used for model changes after 1995 (which letter stands for what I don't know yet: https://www.jaguarforum.nl/forum/top...typen/?p=30559)

Cheers,
IPF

 

Does the VIN number give any indication of the color of the car? My car was listed as Liquid Silver, but the window sticker says Lunar Grey. Just trying to find out the actual color.

 

Not exactly, but it ties into that data. You can ask any dealer to print the full build info and they usually do it free.

There's often a plate with trim etc info by one of the door hinges if you look.

 

thank you for sharing with us .

 

I've deleted a number of posts referencing an OnLine VIN decoder which clearly doesn't work for Jaguars. The thread is about JAGUAR lookup tables and NOT other information sources.

Graham

 

Was just doing a little online research around the VIN and mine also seems to not match very well to what is given for the X300. The confusion comes in around the model year. This is the same as @IPFnoted on his X306. Mine is a UK market XJ12, production date Sept 20th, 1994: SAJJHALS3BR723676

(1-3) SAJ = Jaguar
(4) J (Jaguar)
(5). H (Soverign / XJ12)
(6). A (Base Spec)
(7). L (4 door saloon)
(8). S (6 Litre)
(9). 3 (Auto RHS)
(10) B (??)
(11) R (6 litre emmissions G)
(12-17) 723676 (Unique 6 digit sequence)

B in position 10 is the mystery letter here as it does not correspond with a model or year change. It should be R or S depending on previous interpretations if it did indeed represent a year made (R) or model year (S).

The only thing I have nioticed is that on the XJ40 (93-94) decoding sheet, 'A' is mentioned as a model for XJ40. Logically you might think 'B' would be assigned for the succeeding model line of X300 and sub derivatives?

And yes, I do have too much time on my hands to think about these things! It also puzzles me that something that should be categoric and defined, doesn't appear to be defined even 25 years after these cars were made.